Looking back on the season just finished, it will clearly sit in the forgettable category where the lows outnumber the highs by some measure. After the successful Lowland League campaign the season before where Bo’ness finished in third place behind East Kilbride and Hearts B, this time round they ended nine places below and almost thirty points down. Indeed, this was the BUs worst Lowland League campaign of the four completed and work has already started to improve the situation before the July kick off.

Players

As is usual and although Manager Stuart Hunter was keen to avoid too many changes, inevitably there was a turnover both at the beginning and during the season. Keeper Musa Dibaga moved on, eventually finding a place with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Lewis McArthur signed for Edinburgh City. Scott Dalziel retired from the game while coming in were keeper Liam Campbell from Kelty Hearts and Lewis Duffy, Civil Service Strollers. Lucas Stenhouse returned on loan from Livingston and there were further comings and goings including the loss of Michael Travis for work reasons and Ryan Porteous moving to Bonnyrigg Rose. Later in the season Keir Foster returned from Finland and though a welcome addition there’s no doubt over the piece significant figures were lost to the squad.

The Season

The season started poorly with only one point gained from the first three games and having qualified for the SPFL Trust Trophy Bo’ness went down at Rangers B, closely followed by the loss at Jeanfield Swifts in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup. The BUs steadied the ship with only one defeat in September and October, a loss at Gala Fairydean Rovers and made progress in both the Scottish and South Challenge Cups. In the National Trophy Bo’ness won at Deveronvale and Hill of Beath Hawthorn, overcoming Livingston United and Eglinton in the regional tournament. Meanwhile Bo’ness had accepted the invitation from the SJFA to play in the Scottish Junior Cup but found themselves having to play Kilsyth Rangers on a Sunday, only twenty four hours after an epic fightback against Celtic B. In that game the BUs were three goals behind with only five minutes left on the clock but three goals including one in time added on secured a welcome point. On the Sunday Bo’ness defeated Kilsyth to complete a good weekend.

November proved significant in relation to the main cup competitions Bo’ness drawing Musselburgh Athletic in both. Unfortunately, the BUs went down to a late goal at Newtown in the South Challenge and also lost at Olivebank in the Scottish. Again, in the Junior Cup despite being drawn at home to Ardrossan Winton Rovers, the BUs could only complete the tie with a midweek fixture in Ayrshire but at least on a cold winters night at Winton Park they got the win to go through. Drawn at home to Downfield in the next round, Unfortunately with no Saturdays available Bo’ness were unable to get the cooperation of the Dundee team or the SJFA to move to another day and the BUs were eliminated from the competition.

Two losses two postponements and a draw saw out the year including a home defeat to derby rivals Linlithgow Rose leaving Bo’ness eighth in the table. Into January two wins and a draw seemed hopeful of a turnaround though February it was only four points from nine but on a brighter note the BUs defeated both Albion Rovers and Civil Service Strollers to make the semi final of the Lowland League Cup. Bo’ness did go all the way to the final after a penalty shootout at home to Tranent only to lose out to East Kilbride at the Broadwood Stadium. A midweek win at Broomhill proved to be the BUs final league win as the concluding five matches all finished in defeats, the last at Lowland League Champions East Kilbride.

Summary

The Lowland League has got tougher each season and whereas Bo’ness had edged some great results last season, this campaign saw them on the wrong end of some tight matches. There was also the loss of key players who were difficult to replace and inconsistency both in terms of individual and team performances made things difficult for BU Manager Stuart Hunter.

Looking ahead, there will be changes to the squad with players having made their final appearance for the BUs at East Kilbride. As with many leagues it’s not a level playing field in terms of finance and again Stuart Hunter will strive to make best use of the limited funds available to him.

The management team and players have appreciated the support provided by the BU Faithful, recognising they have not had much to shout about in the campaign just ended and will be looking for something better next season. Like the supporters, Stuart Hunter and assistant Michael Gemmell know it has been disappointing and will be working over the summer to bring in players with the aim of bringing the right type of player who, on top of any talent, is willing to roll up his sleeves and work hard for the team. Let the work begin.

John Spowart
Wednesday 23 April 2025