It’s Scottish Cup weekend and Bo’ness United look forward to welcoming SPFL League 2 side, Forfar Athletic. The second Angus side to visit Newtown Park in as many weeks, the BUs won a significant victory against Brechin City last weekend. Brechin scored early through Curtis Main but second half goals from Jack Hodge, Roan Fitzpatrick and Jamie Allan ensure the points stayed in Bo’ness (Report).

Forfar have experienced a poor run of results in recent weeks, winning only one in their last five outings. On Saturday they lost by the odd goal in three at Kelty Hearts. They sit one from bottom in the League 2 Table two points above Annan Athletic. In last season’s Scottish Cup Forfar won at Musselburgh Athletic before losing at home to Partick Thistle in round three. Bo’ness have already played in this year’s competition with a comeback win against Irvine Meadow XI. Meadow were two up at half time through Andrew Gaffney and Euan Baird but goals from Kieran Mitchell and Robbie Murdoch put the game into extra time when Hamza Nimaga scored the BU winner (Report).

This won’t be Forfar’s first visit to Newtown as they were matched against BU predecessors Bo’ness FC back in the day. The season before Bo’ness were eliminated from the Scottish League in 1933 for failure to pay match guarantees they defeated Forfar early in the campaign though Forfar won the return at Station Park.

Bo’ness have come up against SPFL sides in the National Competition numerous times in recent years and though they enjoyed victories against Queen’s Park and Elgin City they have lost out to Cowdenbeath before their drop to the Lowland League, Arbroath and Greenock Morton. Despite their current poor form Forfar Athletic will prove a tough nut to crack and only performances similar to the last few weeks will give Bo’ness any chance of progressing. There should be a good crowd with a great atmosphere and hopefully the players will rise to the occasion knowing they will have s noisy backing from the BU Faithful.

John Spowart
Friday 23 October 2026

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2026/2027

Date – Saturday 17 October 2026

Competition – Lowland League East

Bo’ness United 3
(Hodge 54, Fitzpatrick 75, Allan 79)

Brechin City 1
(Main 2)

Despite being put under early pressure against Brechin City, losing a goal after only two minutes Bo’ness United recovered to win an impressive victory against the Angus side. Dale Hilson’s first time cross was converted by Curtis Main and although Hamza Nimaga responded for the BUs with a shot that was blocked, the visitors were making the early running looking to press home their advantage.

Bo’ness survived without further damage and worked themselves back into the game creating opportunities to get back into the game. Unable to make the breakthrough before the break Bo’ness started the second half in a positive manner and nine minutes in were all square. Hamza Nimaga made a positive run down the left and his cross was played back to Jack Hodge who fired past Kyle Gourlay in the Brechin goal. A shot from Fraser McLeod hit the Bo’ness bar but it was the BUs who got ahead, Roan Fitzpatrick making a fabulous turn at the edge of the box before firing low into the opposite corner of the net. The question was could the BUs hold on but Jamie Allan had other ideas, running to the line and shooting in from the acutest angle possible.

In the remaining ten minutes Brechin tried to get back but Bo’ness were in no mood to give anything else away and rightly celebrated one of the best victories of the season.

Bo’ness United: 1 Allan Fleming 2 Jamie Allan 3 Shaun Brown 4 Jordan Armstrong
5 Keir Macaulay (Capt) 6 Jack Hodge 7 Robbie Murdoch (McMinn 90) 8 Campbell Forrest
10 Murray Binnie (Fitzpatrick 68) 11 Hamza Nimaga 16 Kieran Mitchell (Mylchreest 83)

Subs: 9 Jackson Mylchreest 12 Roan Fitzpatrick 14 Connor McMinn 15 Kyle Coulter (Not Used)
17 Rory McDonald (Not Used) 18 Adam Masson (Not Used) SG Ritchie Kinniburgh (Not Used)

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2026/2027

Date – Saturday 03 October 2026

Competition – Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Round 1

Bo’ness United 3
(Mitchell 52, Murdoch 90+3, Nimaga 91)

Irvine Meadow XI 2
(Gaffney 2, Baird 32)

Bo’ness United staged one of their greatest comebacks in recent history when after going into the break two goals behind, they scored an equaliser in time added on before getting the winner early into extra time.

Only two minutes in Irvine Meadow were in front, Andrew Gaffney controlling with his chest before half volleying into the Bo’ness net from the edge of the box. Irvine Meadow were dominant in these early stages but Bo’ness gradually worked into the game, creating a number of chances. Robbie Murdoch had a shot blocked while Shaun Brown had two efforts, the first going narrowly wide while the other was blocked. New signing Campbell Forrest got into the act with a shot saved by Meadow keeper Joseph Wilton and ironically just after Kieran Mitchell had his effort saved Meadow went two up, Euan Baird’s shot going in just inside the far post.

Ten minutes into the second half Bo’ness pulled one back, Jordan Armstrong accepting a short free kick before stepping forward to hit a thirty yard shot off the Irvine Bar, Kieran Mitchell pouncing to score on the line. Bo’ness were now looking for an equaliser but had to be mindful at the back as Irvine Meadow were still dangerous going forward. Jordan Armstrong cleared off the line while Keir Macaulay got in the way of a fierce shot and at the other end Robbie Murdoch had an excellent shot matched by Joseph Wilton’s save.

Time was running out for Bo’ness but into injury time a low ball fizzed across the goal and Robbie Murdoch was on the spot to fire in. This brought about great celebrations both on and off the park with the referee and his assistants working hard to restore order. Into extra time and almost right away Bo’ness scored as Hamza Nimaga flicked Jamie Allan’s low cross in at the near post. Bo’ness now had the bit between their teeth and while again being wary at the back had opportunities to seal the win. Kieran Mitchell had a one to one on the keeper but his shot went wide and Hamza Nimaga saw his lob just clear the top of the bar. Irvine Meadow never gave up but the plaudits were all for the home team as Bo’ness United celebrated an impressive victory.

As bad as last weekend was all credit must be given to the management and players with a positive response sending the BU faithful home looking forward to the draw for the next round.

Bo’ness United: 1 Allan Fleming 2 Dan Irving (Allan 65) 3 Keir Macaulay (Capt) (Hodge 82)
4 Jordan Armstrong 5 Joe Cassidy 6 Roan Fitzpatrick (Binnie 46)7 Robbie Murdoch (Masson 117)
8 Campbell Forrest (Nimaga 82) 10 Tom Grant 11 Shaun Brown
16 Kieran Mitchell (Mylchreest 120)

Subs: 9 Jackson Mylchreest 12 Jack Hodge 14 Murray Binnie 15 Jamie Allan 17 Hamza Nimaga
18 Adam Masson SG Sam Gardner (Not Used)

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