Bo'ness United 6-1 Burntisland Shipyard

MATCH REPORT KINDLY PROVIDED BY BRYAN COPELAND.

Match Report
EOS Conference B
Bo’ness United v Burntisland Shipyard
Sat 09/02/2019 Newtown Park KO 14:30

BU Team :
Gk : Murphy Def : Jacobs Campbell Macdonald Syme Mid / Att : Gemmell Morgan Donnelly Prentice Wright MacKenzie
Subs : Snowdon Comrie McMullin Stevenson Keast Marshall

With the last game for the BU being the 5-0 2nd half collapse at Tranent and the weather postponing the away trip to league leaders Bonnyrigg Rose last week a lot has happened off the pitch with Steve Kerrigan deciding to call time on his Management of the BU and former Bonnyrigg, Broxburn & Tranent Manager who ironically oversaw his Tranent team in the 5-0 win just a fortnight ago taking charge at the BU. I’m sure all players committee supporters and everyone associated with the club will wish Max and his backroom team all the best and hope he can bring success to the club in the near future. Now with today game and a further home game next week which will be followed by a trip to Haddington to complete the new gaffers 1st 3 games in charge a chance for him to make his mark at home as I’m sure he is looking for a winning start specially with the game being at Bo’ness.

Into today’s game then and a strong wind was blowing in the usual direction when it comes at Newtown. The home side lost the toss and rather than kicking against the wind towards the Kinneil school end were kicking with the wind. This helped straight from the kick off however as Mackenzie found the net with the away keeper looking to be deceived by the wind. The good home support that turned out on a cold windy day were more than happy though as the BU took the lead 1-0. As the game settled down both teams tried to get on the ball and as it blew about terribly in the wind it looked like ball on the deck football was the order of the day. This was proved on 21 mins when a good ball low down the wind found MacKenzie who won a corner. It was swung in low and cleared but only as far as the edge of the box where it was swung quickly back in and there was MacKenzie to head the ball into the net for 2-0 BU. The home side were now in control and clearly using the wind to their advantage as more balls were swirled across the visitors box with a couple of shots from outside the box aswell. An appeal for a penalty came as a shot was saved and spilled from the visiting keeper and as Wright went in down he went claiming he was caught by the keeper the referee looked and calmly waved play on however. As the half drew go a close and went into added time a shot from outside the box flew high over the bar and a final shot on goal for the home side was almost a spectacular finish from Wright with the ball going just over the bar.
Half time BU 2 - 0 Burntisland Shipyard.

Into the 2nd half and it was still biting cold and windy but the home side were again heating up as Wright curled a shot towards goal but it was just wide and the lineman on the far side had his flag up for off side anyway. Even against the wind however the home looked to be on full control and all through the game BU keeper Murphy mist have been frozen standing out there with nothing to do as he wasn’t kept busy at all. 21 minutes into the half and the home side were on the score sheet again as MacKenzie headed home for his hat trick. 2 minutes later and MacKenzie was in on the action again as he broke into the box and was fouled, the referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot and Morgan stepped up to smashed the mall high into the net from the spot. 4-0 BU. After the penalty went in it was to be MacKenzie’s last action of the afternoon as he went off to a rapturous reception replaced by Stevenson. 17 minutes to go and new Gaffer Max Christie made his 2nd change as Morgan was replaced by Comrie. Forward came the home side again and Stevenson not long on the pitch knocked the ball past the visiting keeper at the far post to make it 5-0. The final change for the BU came as Prentice went off for the welcoming sight of Fraser Keast returning from long term injury. With around 12 minutes remaining BU keeper Murphy has something to do as the visitors managed to get a cross into the box and the wind caught the ball almost deceiving him but he kept his calm and clutched the ball well. It could and possibly should have been 6 for the BU as Wright had a shot that ended up high over the bar. With 2 minutes to go and looking like a clean sheet again the defence was at fault as the visitors got through on goal and looped the ball over an advancing Murphy and it bounced once and into the net. A proper goal out of nothing after a dominating display that shouldn’t have happened but take nothing away from the home side still a good result and well deserved win. The home side Werner finished scoring however as the match went into added time a corner was played low over the box and Wright was there to slot it home for 6-1. A resounding applause met the team as the referee blew for full time. BU 6 - 1 Burntisland shipyard.