After Bo’ness United’s successful Lowland League campaign where they finished in third place behind East Kilbride and Hearts B, the BUs look forward to another season hoping to do even better. On top of a good Lowland League placing a decent run in the cups is desired with the hope of bringing back some silverware to Newtown Park. Manager Stuart Hunter is ambitious for Bo’ness United and is determined to do his best for the club.

Players

The manager was keen to avoid the situations in the past with Bo’ness United where there would be a large turnover of players and as such the majority of the squad has been retained with only a few new faces coming in. The BUs did lose the services of keeper Musa Dibaga, Lewis McArthur and Scott Dalziel but replacements have come in, goalkeeper Liam Campbell from Kelty Hearts and Lewis Duffy, Civil Service Strollers. The existing group stands at eighteen though it is likely a few more, new or returning faces may appear over the next few weeks.

Preseason

The squad met for preseason training in mid June, followed by a number of matches allowing players game time as well as giving the management team the opportunity to monitor both individual and team progress. The opposition provided different levels of challenges with Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Tynecastle and Armadale Thistle from the East of Scotland League and West of Scotland League sides Clydebank, Pollok and Darvel. The BUs beat all east teams though not without having to be at their best but that best was not good enough against both Clydebank and Pollok who were comprehensive winners. Bo’ness also lost out at Darvel but it was an unfortunate loss, the BUs creating but spurning some good chances. On the plus side the overall display on the day was positive, the team showing progress over the six games.

University of Stirling/Rangers B

The campaign kicks off with a visit from University of Stirling, the same side who appeared at Newtown for last season’s final match. Bo’ness have experienced mixed fortunes against the Stirling students although that last encounter saw the BUs win by the odd goal in five to clinch third place in the league. Bo’ness were two up at the break thanks to a Ryan Porteous penalty and a Fin Malcolm strike. Ciarin McAnninch pulled one back from the spot early in the second half but Kieran Mitchell restored the two goal cushion for Bo’ness. Ben McIver Redwood gave the students hope for a comeback but the BUs held on for the win. (Report following preview).

The following Tuesday Bo’ness travel to Greenock Morton’s home ground, Cappielow, to face Rangers B in the first round of the SPFL Challenge Cup. Invited into this tournament because of the third place Lowland League position. This represents a most difficult challenge, Bo’ness only getting the better of the young Gers once in their time as a guest team in the Lowland League. Many of the Rangers players may have moved on but there is little doubt they will have been replaced by other talented youngsters. A tough encounter for Bo’ness but both players and the management team are looking forward to the challenge, determined to get the win to progress in this tournament.

The Season Ahead

The Lowland League is getting tougher each season and this time round it’s Broxburn Athletic coming up from the East of Scotland League, replacing relegated Edinburgh University. Along with recent promoted sides, Tranent and Linlithgow Rose with former SPFL sides coming down the way there are no easy games, each contest narrowly decided on the day. On top of that every club is looking to improve and Bo’ness are no different, trying to add quality to the squad each season.

As with many leagues it is not a level playing field in terms of finance but that is the way of football at every level and is something each club has to contend with. BU manager Stuart Hunter strives to make best use of the funds available to him with the aim to bring the right type of player who, on top of any talent, is willing to roll up his sleeves and work hard for the team both on the training ground and from the beginning to end of each match. These qualities were in great abundance over last time round and hopefully once again this determination can lead to another successful campaign.

The management team and players appreciate the support provided by the BU Faithful but, given the good showing from the BUs last season, as well as the familiar faces, hopefully many new supporters can be present to swell the crowd and provide an even noisier support for the team. Football is back with everyone looking forward to the months ahead so let’s enjoy it and all the best to Bo’ness United for the new season.

John Spowart
Thursday 25 July 2024

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2023/2024

Date – Saturday 20 April 2024

Competition –Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Bo'ness United 3
(Porteous 22 pen, Malcolm 43, Mitchell 60)

University of Stirling 2
(McAninch 55 pen, McIvor Redwood 72)

Bo’ness United completed the season with a win at home to University of Stirling, both laying a bogey while achieving a more than creditable third place in the Lowland League. The BUs had yet to beat the Stirling students at Newtown Park and their third spot is the highest attained in the tier five table.

Both sides took time to settle but it was Bo’ness who created the first real chance, a Ryan Stevenson cross headed onto the post by Scott Dalziel. Just after twenty minutes the BUs did go ahead when Ryan Porteous was fouled in the box and he got up to make no mistake from the spot. A Lewis McArthur volley hitting the bar almost doubled the BU lead but it was not all one way. BU keeper Musa Dibaga had to look smart, beating Ben McIvor Redwood to grab the ball and the same player laid the ball off for Thomas Vonk whose scuffed shot was just wide. Before half time Dalziel had a header that was off target though two minutes before the whistle Bo’ness got their second goal, From a Scott Dalziel headed layoff Fin Malcolm pounced onto Tom Grant’s cutback to fire in low from eight yards.

Ten minutes after the turnaround the University pulled a goal back when Lewis McArthur cleared off the line but the ball came back in as the referee penalised a hand ball in the box and Ciaran McAninch converted. Almost immediately Bo’ness made two changes, JJ Henderson and Kieran Mitchell entering the fray and only a few minutes later the two combined, Henderson passing forward to Mitchell who sidestepped the opposition before angling a great shot past keeper Yan Gromov Godic. Stirling worked to get back and Shea Scally shot just wide and soon after Ben McIver Redwood rose to head in at the far post.

It proved a tense final twenty minutes as Bo’ness wanted the all important win and after five minutes time added on, the final whistle was greeted with a combination of pleasure and satisfaction as the players and supporters celebrated a job well done.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson (Hamilton 78), Macaulay, Travis, McArthur (Rutherford 66), Gemmell (Henderson 56), Malcolm (Mitchell 56), Johnston, Dalziel, Grant (Kennedy 78), Porteous.
Subs (Not Used): SG Ruddy: