Match Preview

Match preview kindly supplied by JOHN SPOWART!

Bo’ness United make the trip to Bonnyrigg Rose for an evening game in the recently postponed Football Nation Cup tie. A frozen pitch saw the early call off for the original date a week past Saturday but the fixture will now be fulfilled under the lights at New Dundas Park.
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Since the postponement, Bo’ness extended their lead at the top of the East of Scotland Premier Division with a narrow victory over Camelon Juniors. A sensational Ryan Stevenson goal gave the BUs a half time lead but just after the break a defensive lapse allowed Alan Docherty to bring Camelon level. Chris Donnelly snatched the winner for Bo’ness who deserved to come out on top on the day. Meanwhile Bonnyrigg kept the pressure on current Lowland League leaders Kelty Hearts with a win a bottom placed Vale of Leithen. They scored two goals without reply; George Hunter and Dean Brett on target for the Rose.

Bo’ness reached this stage of the Football Nation Cup beating Oakley at Carmuirs Park but only after Stuart Love gave the Fife side a half time lead. Chris Donnelly equalised right after the break but an unfortunate Ross Campbell/Andy Murphy own goal put the visitors ahead once more. However, Terry Hewitt scored for Bo’ness to pull them back level again before Brian Morgan struck and the BUs were ahead for the first time. Into time added on and Ryan Stevenson made sure of the victory even though the final score flattered the BUs. In the next round Bo’ness got off to a good start at Inverkeithing with a Thomas Grant free kick strike, his first for the club, and a goal from Mark Mooney. Inverkeithing pulled one back in the second half through Callum Strang and, but for some poor finishing, Swifts might have taken this game to extra time, or better. Bonnyrigg got here winning at University of Stirling in the last round having received a bye in round one.

As stated in the original preview, this is clearly a very difficult game for Bo’ness but will provide an opportunity to test themselves against a top team. A Tuesday evening game is sure to affect the number of the BU Faithful able to travel to Mid Lothian but those who are there will make their presence felt as they support the players in their efforts to progress in this competition.

John Spowart
08 December 2019