Match Preview 2018 2019
Haddington Athletic, Central Taxis East of Scotland League, Millfield, Saturday 23 February 2019
After two emphatic wins in the last two weeks Bo’ness Untied face a much tougher game on Saturday as they visit Haddington Athletic. This is the BUs second trip to Millfield this season after narrowly defeating the Hi Hi’s in the semi final of the Alex Jack Cup last October. Of course that win proved fruitless with Haddington protesting that Bo’ness fielded an ineligible player, new signing Craig Comrie having a two game suspension hanging over him from his time at Sauchie Juniors. However Haddington achieved no advantage as it was subsequently discovered they also played someone they shouldn’t have. It was Camelon Juniors who ultimately benefitted winning the Cup without having to play a final followed by an easy win against Bonnyton Thistle in the South and East Cup Winners Shield to gain a place in next season’s Scottish Cup.
The teams met two weeks previously in a league match at Newtown where Brian Morgan put Bo’ness ahead before Andy Jones and Grant Rose switched the advantage in Haddington’s favour. That was short lived as Chris Donnelly brought Bo’ness back into the game before half time and with no further scoring both teams had to be happy with a share of the spoils.
Haddington have won four points from a possible twelve since the turn of the year and need the win to bring them back into contention for a top five place. Bo’ness are third in the table but only six points separate them from Dalkeith in sixth place and it is a tight race with little room for error.
This is a stern test for Bo’ness and new manager Max Christie will get a better idea of what his players are made of as they look to maintain a winning run. It is also the chance for the BU Faithfull to turn up in numbers, get behind the new boss and once again make the noise that drives the players on to victory.
John Spowart
21 February 2019