Bo’ness United return to Moorside Park after their eventful East of Scotland League match there only two weeks ago. This time it is a Football Nation Cup tie postponed a month ago and the BUs hope to go one better with a victory against Dundonald Bluebell.

In that recent game Ross Campbell was sent off after only eleven minutes and when Barry Sibanda put Dundonald ahead in thirty minutes it looked to be an upfill task for the BUs. However Marty Wright converted from the spot to see Bo’ness all square at half time, and although Dundonald regained the lead just after the break through Ross Drummond, Wright got Bo’ness back again. With fifteen minutes remaining Will Snowdon was also red carded after fouling Archie Campbell in the box and despite Alex Marshall saving the penalty Scott Durie headed in from the resulting corner. It looked as if the BUs might leave empty handed but they had other ideas and Marty Wright completed his hat trick to give Bo’ness a hard earned point.

Bo’ness should have more players available after having to scrape together a team to play current League leader Bonnyrigg Rose last weekend. Will Snowdon, Ross Campbell and Josh MacDonald were suspended and Kieran Sweeney and Craig Comrie were both ill. Marty Wright, Allan MacKenzie, Nicky Prentice and James Rintoul were all unavailable for different reasons meaning Jamie Shirra was drafted in as a trialist, and coach Keith Hogg and Andy Murphy were listed as the only substitutes. New signing Michael McMullin made his debut in a side that competed for large parts of the game although in the end Bonnyrigg were worthy winners. Andy Shirra pulled a goal back from the spot after Bonnyrigg had taken an early lead with two goals from Keiran McGachie. However Dean Hoskins headed in a third for the visitors and McGachie completed his hat trick for a win that sees Bonnyrigg still in charge while Bo’ness dropped to seventh place in the table.

Ross Campbell is still suspended but hopefully all the other players will be available for selection at the weekend with long term injury victims Fraser Keast and David Gray the only others missing.

The last few weeks have not been great for Bo’ness with their administrative exit from the Alex Jack Cup, the sendings off at Dundonald and the significant ‘missing’ list against Bonnyrigg. This weekend is an opportunity to get things back on coarse in a very difficult but winnable game. A victory means progress in a cup tournament and a confidence booster for the task of accumulating valuable League points.

The BU Faithful provided the team with great support at Moorfield Park last time out and more of the same this week will be welcomed by the players.

John Spowart
08 November 2018