Bo’ness United resume their Lowland League Cup campaign with a midweek tie at home to Civil Service Strollers. In the first round Bo’ness achieved a narrow win at Albion Rovers, Kieran Mitchell scoring an early goal that proved to be the difference between the sides. The BUs might have added to their lead, although in the end it was a great defensive display that stopped Rovers even getting the chance of a penalty shootout (Report).

Strollers enjoyed a win at East Stirlingshire in the first round and have generally enjoyed a good spell in recent weeks. They drew at Linlithgow Rose on Saturday and the victory at the Shire was sandwiched by wins against Tranent and at Hearts B putting them only two points behind the BUs in the league table. The Strollers also beat Shotts Bon Accord in the South Challenge Cup and are due to visit Hill of Beath Hawthorn in the quarter final. Civil Service visited Newtown Park earlier this season, Bo’ness scoring three to the Strollers’ two. A Lucas Stenhouse brace had Bo’ness two up in half an hour, Euan Valentine pulling one back before the break. With ten minutes remaining Ryan Porteous restored the two goal lead for Bo’ness, although Luca Vata scored what proved to be a late consolation (Report).

Bo’ness have seen an improvement in their fortunes in recent weeks although it was always going to be a hard task to take something at Celtic B on Saturday. The BUs did score first through Kyle Johnston though goals from Lewis Dobbie and Daniel Cummings saw Celtic go in ahead at half time before Colby Donavan score a third to seal the win. Bo’ness did create chances but were unable to get back at the Celtic youngsters (Report).

Bo’ness Manager, Stuart Hunter has declared his desire to bring silverware to Newtown but knows Civil Service provide a substantial barrier to this aspiration. The players will be motivated for the tie and with a substantial home support adding to the special atmosphere of a floodlit match, hopefully the BUs can prevail to reach the last four of the tournament.

John Spowart
Monday 17 February 2025

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Saturday 01 February 2025

Competition –Lowland League Cup Round 1

Albion Rovers 0

Bo’ness United 1
(Mitchell 4)

Bo’ness United edged through to the next round of the Lowland League Cup courtesy of a single Kieran Mitchell strike. The goal came early, Mitchell nodding in from a corner but this victory was achieved largely thanks to resolute Bo’ness defending, the players working hard getting in the way of anything and everything Albion Rovers threw at them,

After the Bo’ness goal Rovers dominated the possession, their best chances coming from a Dom McMahon shot that went narrowly past and a Peter Mendy effort saved by BU keeper Liam Campbell. In the second half the hosts continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the ball but the BUs kept them at bay with very few clear cut chances. Indeed, Bo’ness had a great opportunity to double their lead, a Ryan Stevenson low ball across the face of the goal, Smart Osadolor just short of touching in on the line. In the final minutes Albion threw everything into getting back but Bo’ness held out for a hard earned victory.

New Queens Park loan signing Lennon Connolly showed up well for Bo’ness on his debut but it was a farewell outing from. Michael Travis whose new work commitments sees him leaving the BUs. A big loss for the club but all the best to ‘Trav’.

Bo’ness: Campbell, Hawkins, Macaulay, Rutherford (Duffy 46), Travis, Gemmell, Mitchell, Connolly, Osadolor, Grant,
Stevenson 71), Dowling (Irving 58),. Subs (Not Used): Kennedy, McCormick, Hutchison, Henderson

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Tuesday 20 August 2024

Competition –Park’s Motors Group Lowland League

Bo'ness United 3
(Stenhouse 23 27, Porteous 80)

Civil Service Strollers 2
(Valentine 39, M Vata 88)

Bo’ness United managed a victory against Civil Service Strollers where the contest was not only against their opponents but once again the horrible overhead conditions that made it a difficult game to both play in and watch. Shooting into the wind it was the BUs who went ahead as Lucas Stenhouse was strong in brushing off a challenge wide on the left before cutting across to angle low into the near corner of the goal. That was just over twenty minutes in and only four minutes later it was two for Bo’ness and Stenhouse. The youngster took a short corner to Keir Macaulay who crossed into the box and by the time Stenhouse moved into the goalmouth the ball found its way to him to shoot in in just inches from the line. Just before the break the Strollers pulled one back as a cross from Euan Valentine was caught in the breeze, the ball sailing over BU keeper Liam Campbell and into the net.

Into the second half and as is common, Bo’ness struggled with the elements at their back with overhit passes and crosses. However, they were getting shots and with ten minutes remaining a tidy Ryan Porteous half volley just inside the box regained the two goal cushion. Just before the end however Civil Service again pulled one back Campbell punching clear but only as far as Luca Vata who from twelve yards fired low into the Bo’ness net. There was no further scoring and the Bo’ness win was welcomed by the hardy souls who had braved the elements to watch their team and congratulate Ryan Stevenson’s two hundredth appearance for Bo’ness United.

Bo'ness: Campbell, Stevenson Trialist 72), Macaulay, Hawkins, Rutherford (Duffy 82), Grant (Irving 67), Stenhouse, Johnston, Osadolor, Porteous, Nicol (Kennedy 82). Subs (Not Used): Gemmell, Malcolm, SG: Melrose.

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Saturday 15 February 2025

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Celtic B 3
(Dobbie 8, Cummings 33, Donavan 65)

Bo’ness United 1
(Johnston 7)

As expected, Bo’ness United faced a very difficult match against Celtic B and although they put everything into the game were unable to get a result at the Albert Bartlett Stadium in Airdrie. As with their senior counterparts Bo’ness knew the young Celts would enjoy the lion’s share of possession and most of their work would be off the ball keeping the Glasgow side at bay.

As it was the BUs scored first, Kieran Mitchell heading on a Theo McCormick cross for Kyle Johnston to react quickest, shooting home in the six yard area. Unfortunately, Bo’ness were unable to hold onto their lead for any time as only a minute later Lewis Dobbie headed in from a Jude Bonnar cross.

Celtic began to push Bo’ness back but it was not all one way, a dangerous BU break seeing Kieran Mitchell shooting just wide of the target. Celtic created chances of their own and just after the half hour another good cross, this time from Mitchel Frame found Daniel Cummings in the right place to score.

The second half continued as the first with Celtic on the ball most of the time but Bo’ness getting forward on a regular basis. A Kieran Mitchell run and shot was straight at the keeper and Bo’ness were giving notice this game was still alive. However, with under thirty minutes remaining Celtic scored a third, Colby Donavan finding space in the box to fire low past BU keeper Liam Campbell. It was now an upward struggle for Bo’ness who never gave up. Celtic had chances to increase their lead although Bo’ness might have pulled back with a number of opportunities. The Celtic keeper did well to divert a great Smart Osadolor shot over the bar and a Kieran Mitchell shot went just past. Towards the end Bo’ness illustrated their determination, winning a series of corners but were unable to capitalise.

Bo’ness now look to recover quickly as Civil Service Strollers visit Newtown Park on Tuesday for a Lowland League Cup tie.

Bo’ness: Campbell, Kennedy (Stevenson 60), Macaulay, Irving, Duffy, Hutchison, Mitchell, Connolly (Dowling 75), McCormick (Osadolor 78), Foster, Johnston (Trialist 78). Subs (Not Used): Hawkins, Grant, Masson