It’s only just under six weeks since Bo’ness United visited Albyn Park and this Wednesday Broxburn Athletic come to Newtown Park for the return fixture. The first game proved exciting, Errol Douglas giving the home side an early lead with Smart Osadolor equalising soon after. Minutes before the end Shaun Rutherford put Bo’ness ahead but into time added on former BU Alassan Jones scored to give Broxburn a share of the points. (Report)

Broxburn are enjoying their first season in the Lowland League, currently fifth in the table, two places and five points ahead of Bo’ness but having played one game more. In recent weeks they had convincing wins against former SPFL sides East Stirlingshire and Cowdenbeath sandwiching a draw at current leaders Caledonian Braves. In the Scottish Cup they won the televised first round match at Dalkeith Thistle and will now visit Auchinleck Talbot in the next round. In the South Cup they scored ten goals with the loss of two at Nithsdale Wanderers and at the weekend beat West of Scotland minnows Thorn Athletic to march into the fourth round.

Bo’ness United are also into the next round of the South Cup after their narrow victory at Eglinton. Eglinton are also in the lower divisions of the West of Scotland League and put up a magnificent rear guard action, only losing to a late Keir Macaulay goal. (Report) The BUs are enjoying a decent run of form having already played four games this month. Last weekend was the Newtown Park double header, coming from behind to draw with Celtic B before beating Kilsyth Rangers in the Scottish Junior Cup. The previous Tuesday they won all the points at Berwick Rangers.

The game at Broxburn kept the fans entertained right to the end and it’s hoped Wednesday’s clash at Newtown is as entertaining. Both teams are playing well at this point and see themselves as capable of taking all the points. The Bo’ness players will be up for the match and look forward to the BU Faithful turning up to give them that extra edge to get a positive result.

John Spowart
15 October 2024

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025
Date – Tuesday 03 September 2024
Competition –Park’s Motors Group Lowland League

Broxburn Athletic 2
(Douglas 16, Jones 90+2)
Bo'ness United 2
(Osadolor 21, Rutherford 83)

Bo’ness United once again conceded late in the game at Broxburn Athletic that cost them precious points. They came back from a goal behind but were unable to hold on to their lead losing a goal just before the final whistle.

The home side started well and could have been up in the first minute as Alassan Jones crossed only for Calum Heath to shoot wide at the far post. Broxburn did get ahead after fifteen minutes, Bo’ness losing possession in the middle allowing Errol Douglas to run through to slide past exposed Bo’ness keeper Cade Melrose. Ironically the goal came when Bo’ness were getting back into the game but they resumed their positive play and only five minutes later were back in the game when Keir Macaulay’s perfect cross was headed home by Smart Osadolor. Bo’ness continued to push forward but spurned a number of good chances meaning it remained all square at the break.

As with the first half, Broxburn started well but Bo’ness were soon back at it as they took the game to their hosts. It was fast paced and competitive, both sides looking to get that second goal. With seven minutes remaining Broxburn were penalised for a handled pass back and only ten yards from goal Smart Osadolor laid the ball back for Shaun Rutherford to find a way through the eleven man wall across the goal line. Unfortunately, the BUs were unable to hold on for the win as two minutes into time added on, a cross from the right found Alassan Jones who knocked the ball in at the back post.

This will be considered two points dropped by the BUs who now go on to Ainslie Park on Friday night to meet Heart of Midlothian B.

Bo'ness: Melrose, Hawkins (Stevenson 69), Macaulay, Duffy, Rutherford, Gemmell, Stenhouse, Johnston (Irving 66), Osadolor (Mitchell 88), Porteous, Trialist. Subs (Not Used) Malcolm, Kennedy Grant. SG: Campbell

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Saturday 12 October 2024
Competition – CarMat Kings South Challenge Cup Round 3

Eglinton 0
Bo’ness United 1
(Macaulay 90)

Bo’ness United progressed to the next round of the South Challenge Cup, though it took a goal in the ninetieth minute to finally get past a resolute Eglinton defence. On a cold, blustery, wet afternoon that proved challenging for players and spectators alike, the conditions made playing football difficult but Bo’ness set about getting ahead. The BUs scorned some good chances but Eglinton keeper Ross Lundy also pulled off some cracking saves to keep the scoresheet blank.

BU manager Stuart Hunter made full use of his bench for the start of the second half and it was different personnel but a similar story as the BUs surged forward looking for the breakthrough. Again, the Eglinton keeper performed heroics and the goal frame also took a battering, Bo’ness striking it on no less than five occasions. As the game moved towards the final stages, Eglinton were looking to pinch something on the break but the Bo’ness defence was vigilant, making sure they kept the back door shut. Bo’ness had made full use of the wide positions, crosses coming over from both sides and it was ironic that the goal when it finally arrived came through the middle. Tom Grant passed the ball forward for Fin Malcolm to flick into the path of Keir Macaulay who cooly slotted into the bottom corner of the net. Ross Lundy did get a hand to the ball but this time he was unable to keep it out. The BU players and fans were delighted with the outcome as much with the relief of avoiding a further thirty minutes in the horrible conditions as with the final result.

Bo'ness: Campbell, Hawkins, Irving (Macaulay 46), Duffy, Travis, Gemmell (Stevenson 46), McLinden (Stenhouse 46) Henderson (Johnston 46) Osadolor (Malcolm 46), Grant, Kennedy. Subs (Not Used): Masson, SG: Melrose