Bo’ness United embark on their longest journey of the league campaign travelling to Dalbeattie Star for the rearranged fixture, the initial postponed due to the Border side’s Scottish Cup replay at Rothes.

Dalbeattie visited Newtown Park on the second Saturday of the season and returned south with all the points. Star went ahead just from a corner before the break, Jack Dickinson heading home at the near post. Into the second half and things might have got worse for United as a hand ball decision saw the visitors awarded a penalty but Andy Murphy made a great save from Lewis Sloan’s spot kick.

With eleven minutes remaining, Bo’ness grabbed a lifeline when Dalbeattie keeper Darren Martin spilled a rasping Conor McKenzie shot and Connor McMullen pounced on the loose ball to fire in from close in. Unfortunately, Dalbeattie regained the lead right away with a breakaway that saw Russell Currie in plenty of space to slot past the exposed Andy Murphy for the winner.

Bo’ness come into this game after qualifying for the semi-final of the League Cup, beating Edinburgh University at East Peffermill. It was a quiet start to the game and although Edinburgh moved the ball about nicely, they never really threatened and Bo’ness finished the half strongly. In saying that, shortly before the whistle Edinburgh broke forward and only a great save by BU keeper Andy Murphy kept the score line blank. Just into the second half Bo’ness twice came close as Gregor Nicol and Keir Macaulay both hit the post but the goal was only momentarily delayed as Lennon Walker found the corner of the net with a superb strike. The BUs were on top at this point but conceded a penalty but again Murphy came to the rescue, stopping the shot to maintain the BU lead. The respite was brief as Edinburgh hit back with another break finishing with a low cross converted by Vincent Anderson. Undaunted the BUs quickly regained the lead, Jamie McCormack and Devon Jacobs combining, the latter’s cross controlled by Gregor Nicol before shooting home.

This was all in the first fifteen minutes of the second half and Bo’ness continued to push forward looking to clinch the tie with further efforts on goal. However, there was no further scoring but it was a brilliant second half display from the BUs that saw them through to the last four where they meet East Stirlingshire, the winner going on to meet Broomhill or East Kilbride in the final.

Dalbeattie Star have not had a great month as after winning at Vale of Leithen, they have lost six and drawn one in a busy April although they did beat Stranraer in the Southern Counties Cup quarter final. On Wednesday they were at University of Stirling where they suffered a heavy defeat conceding seven goals without reply.

This is Dalbeattie’s final league game of the season where apart from restoring some pride, are defending their current tenth place. Bo’ness can yet achieve that position but are mainly concerned with achieving some late season consistency. Both clubs also have their cup semi-finals coming up and whereas any win can boost confidence, it is important there are no further limitations on the playing resources.

There’s no doubt a number of the BU Faithful will make that four hundred- and twenty-four-mile round trip to enjoy their day at the football, supporting the players to hopefully make it three wins in a row on the road.

John Spowart
28 April 2022