After the disappointment of their Scottish Cup exit Bo’ness United face another tough challenge as they host Bonnyrigg Rose in the Lowland League. Bonnyrigg returned to the Lowland League after three seasons in the SPFL and must be disappointed given it was a points deduction that saw them finish at the bottom of League 2. They have found the return difficult so far with only four wins from ten starts, losing their last two league matches against Berwick Rangers and at Tranent. They are faring better in the cup competitions, beating Cowdenbeath Central in the South Cup plus Saturday’s home win against Broxburn Athletic in the Scottish.

In their promotion season Bonnyrigg got the better of Bo’ness in both league matches and also beat them in a South Region Cup tie. The home fixture saw Bo’ness lose by the odd goal in three Callum Connelly and Lewis Turner putting Bonnyrigg two up before Zander Miller pulled one back from the spot (Report). At New Dundas Park Bonnyrigg scored three without reply, Neil Martyniuk scoring two from the spot sandwiching Callum Connelly’s strike (Report). In the South Cup match at Bonnyrigg again the home side scored three, George Hunter, Scott Gray and Neil Martinuik the scorers (Report).

Bo’ness are on a poor run of results, losing the last four with Saturday’s defeat at home to Banks o’ Dee in the Scottish Cup the bitterest of blows. Liam Duell put the Aberdeen side ahead before BU keeper was red carded for a reckless challenge. Kane Winton scored a second and Lachie MacLeod sealed the tie in time added on (Report). The BUs need to find a way to reverse their fortunes with the management team and players working to improve the position. Bonnyrigg are tough opponents and it will take something special for Bo’ness to get a result against their East Lothian rivals.

John Spowart
Monday 29 September 2025

Date – Saturday 21 August 2021

Opponents – Bonnyrigg Rose
Competition – Lowland League
Venue – Newtown Park

Score (Half Time): 0 - 1 Score (Full Time): 1- 2
Scorer (Bo’ness): Miller 87 (pen)
Scorer (Bonnyrigg): Connolly 39, Turner 79

Bo’ness went toe to toe with Bonnyrigg Rose last Saturday, the BUs enjoying much of the play. Unfortunately though, they conceded shortly before the break, a back post header from Callum Connelly. Into the second half and Bo’ness again competed well, but with only eleven minutes left lost a second, a great shot from distance by Lewis Turner. The points looked safe for Bonnyrigg but the BUs rallied and after Nick Locke was fouled in the box, Zander Millar converted from the spot to make the last few minutes uncomfortable for the visitors. A draw wouldn’t have been an unfair result but Bo’ness know they need to improve to create and convert more chances while tightening up at the back.

Bo’ness United: 1 Andy Murphy, 2 Jamie McCormack, 4 Greg Skinner, 6 Michael Gemmell (Capt) (Anderson 70), 7 Thomas Grant, 8 Craig Comrie, 9 Zander Miller, 10 Nick Locke, 11 Danny Galbraith,
15 Lewis Hawkins, 16 Keir Macaulay (Stevenson 74)

Subs: 3 Ryan Stevenson, 5 Stuart Hunter (Not Used), 12 Jamie Allan (Not Used), 14 Connor McMullen (Not Used), 18 Conor McKenzie (Not Used), 19 Kieran Anderson, 20 Matty Flynn (Not Used)

Date – Saturday 19 February 2022

Opponents – Bonnyrigg Rose
Competition – Lowland League
Venue – New Dundas Park

Score (Half Time): 0 - 1 Score (Full Time): 0- 3
Scorer (Bo’ness):
Scorer (Bonnyrigg): Martynuik 73 85 (both pens) Connolly 81

Bo’ness lost out to Bonnyrigg on Saturday although the final result was a disservice to the BUs who challenged the league leaders before succumbing to late pressure from the home side. Bo’ness had to dig in for the first twenty minutes but restricted Bonnyrigg to very few chances, their closest effort a Sean Brown header that crashed off the bar. Tom Grant responded with a header that was straight at goalkeeper Mark Weir. Just before half time Bo’ness came close with a Devon Jacobs shot that skimmed past the Bonnyrigg post.

Just after the break new signing Jack Smith didn’t get as clean a strike of the ball as he would have liked and his volley was saved by Bonnyrigg keeper Mark Weir. Bo’ness enjoyed their best spell of the game enjoying some good possession before Bonnyrigg once again pushed back. With nineteen minutes remaining Ross Gray’s run through was stopped by Andy Murphy’s dive for the ball. The BU keeper redeemed himself making a great save from Lee Currie’s resulting penalty but only two minutes later Bonnyrigg were awarded another spot kick this time for a hand ball. Neil Martyniuk crashed the kick into the net. Seven minutes later Bo’ness conceded again, a Bonnyrigg corner reaching Callum Connelly on the six-yard line, his shot on the turn zipping through a crowd of players to find the back of the net. Incredibly the referee yet again pointed to the spot for what appeared a soft award, Scott Gray going down easily under pressure from Ryan Stevenson just inside the area, and once more Martyniuk converted. Before the end the BUs might have scored a consolation but the Bonnyrigg keeper made a fine save to stop Matty Flynn’s effort on goal
Despite losing three goals without reply Bo’ness applied themselves, showing great effort although created few chances. They did compete and if the players can repeat these efforts over the next few weeks, but adding the ability to create and convert chances, the results can improve.

Bo’ness United: 1 Andy Murphy, 2 Jamie McCormack, 3 Ryan Stevenson, 4 Greg Skinner,
5 Stuart Hunter, 6 Michael Gemmell (Capt), 9 Jack Smith (Nicol 78), 10 Thomas Grant (Walker 69),
12 Devon Jacobs, 16 Murray Carstairs, 20 Matty Flynn.

Subs: 7 Gregor Nicol, 15 Lewis Hawkins (Not Used), 17 Cody McLeod (Not Used),
18 Kyle Johnston (Not Used), 22 Lennon Walker, 23 David Cross (Not Used)

Date – Saturday 02 April 2022

Opponents – Bonnyrigg Rose
Competition – South Region Cup Round 6
Venue – New Dundas Park

Score (Half Time): 0 - 1 Score (Full Time): 0- 3
Scorer (Bo’ness):
Scorer (Bonnyrigg): Hunter 36, S Gray 50, Martinuik 54

The BUs had hoped to go even further in the Challenge Cup but on Saturday went down at Bonnyrigg, losing three goals without reply. In the early stages Bo’ness gave a good account of themselves and had a good shout for a penalty after Gregor Nicol looked to be tripped in the box. At the other end Andy Murphy made a great save from George Hunter but just after half an hour the same player prevailed, a long ball forward eluding the BU defence, Hunter pouncing to lob the advancing BU keeper. Bo’ness tried to get back and Ryan Stevenson had a couple of efforts, one saved by Bonnyrigg keeper Michael Andrews the other taking a great block by Kerr Young stopping the ball reaching the goal. Unfortunately, Bo’ness didn’t get back and five minutes into the second half Bonnyrigg doubled their lead. Scott Gray found himself in space at the edge of the box and he curled a great shot past Andy Murphy. A few minutes later the tie was as good as over when Bonnyrigg scored a third, Neil Martynuik stooping to head in a Lee Currie free kick cross. After that Bo’ness had the occasional foray up the pitch, the most notable a great shot from Ryan Stevenson well saved by Andrews, but Bonnyrigg never had cause to worry about their progress to the semi-final.
Bo’ness United: 1 Andy Murphy, 2 Jamie McCormack, 3 Ryan Stevenson, 4 Greg Skinner,
5 Stuart Hunter, 6 Michael Gemmell (Capt), 7 Gregor Nicol (Wilson 73), 9 Kieran Mitchell (Flynn 64),
10 Nick Locke, 11 Danny Galbraith (Hawkins 37), 16 Keir Macaulay

Subs:14 Kyle Wilson, 15 Lewis Hawkins, 20 Matty Flynn

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2025/2026

Date – Saturday 27 September 2025
Competition – Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Round 1

Bo’ness United 0

Banks o’ Dee 3
(Duell 28, Winton 54, L MacLeod 90+4)

It was a case of what might have been for Bo’ness United as ten man BUs exited the Scottish Cup at the first time of asking. Reduced to ten men after just half an hour, Bo’ness struggled to make an impact and never looked like recovering from the set back. Up to that point Bo’ness had matched Banks o’ Dee and even though they had gone behind they had created chances of their own looking to get back on level terms.

It was just around the half hour period the whole complexion of the game changed after Banks’ Dee had gone ahead a Liam Duell low angled shot found the opposite corner of the net. Only a few minutes later BU keeper Ben Fry came charging out of his goal clattering a Banks o’ Dee player, injuring himself in the process with the further punishment of a red card for the reckless action. A few minutes later a further blow for Bo’ness as Mark McLuckie was injured in a clash causing a further reshuffle of the pack. Bo’ness survived until the break and early in the second half were unlucky not to get even, a Roan Fitzpatrick volley hitting the top of the Banks o’ Dee bar. Shortly after Bank o’ Dee went two up, Mark Gilmour cutting back for Magnus Winton to shoot low into the net from the edge of the box.

Bo’ness stand in keeper Scott Ritchie made a couple of good saves to prevent further scoring while Jordan Armstrong cleared off the line to keep the score down but just before the end Lachie McLeod made it three to complete a miserable day for Bo’ness.

That’s now four defeats in a row for Bo’ness and with many difficult games to come in the next few weeks they must look to find a way to get back to winning games.

Bo’ness United: 1 Ben Fry, 2 Dan Irving, 3 Jordan Armstrong, 4 Mark McLuckie (Schiavone 39)(Watson 67), 5 Ali El-Zubaidi, 6 Roan Fitzpatrick, 7 Jack Hodge (Masson 58), 8 Kyle Johnston (Capt), 10 Tom Grant (Ritchie 34), 11 Shaun Brown, 16 Kieran Mitchell

Subs: 9 Jamie Watson, 12 Lewis Duffy (Not Used), 14 Adam Masson, 17 Ryan Schiavone,
18 Conor Scullion (Not Used), 19 Keir Macaulay (Not Used), SG Scott Ritchie