Bo’ness United make the trip east to Olivebank Stadium where Musselburgh Athletic wait in their inaugural season in the Lowland League. It is ten years since Bo’ness faced Musselburgh for a league match on their own turf, the home side coming out on top that day. Bo’ness actually had most of the play, created most of the scoring opportunities but Musselburgh scored the all important goal with a good finish from substitute Connor Spowart. Apart from falling short up front the BU cause was not helped when the Trialist keeper was injured and captain Chris Donnelly had to put on the gloves (Report).

Since that game Bo’ness have returned to Olivebank on cup business, an Alex Jack cup tie seven years ago and more recently in the Scottish Cup. In the Alex Jack Cup a slow start saw the BUs two goals behind after only half an hour and the task was made even harder when Stuart Hunter was red carded after clashing with Nathan Evans. Michael Gemmell then had to leave the park, colliding with his own goalkeeper Andy Murphy but it was his replacement, Will Snowdon who pulled one back just before the break. Eleven minutes into the second half Bo’ness were down to nine when Chris Donnelly was sent off for a tackle on Jackie Myles although Musselburgh were fortunate to escape punishment for their fierce reaction, Donnelly grounded by a Musselburgh player. A third goal made things even more difficult for Bo’ness and, although they did create chances to get back, it was not to be their day (Report).

In the Scottish tie just less than two years ago Nathan Evans scored early for Musselburgh but Lucas Stenhouse got one back after thirty minutes. Despite Bo’ness making a good start to the second half Callum Donaldson scored for Musselburgh, the momentum then swinging in their way. They sealed the win just before the end with a converted Craig Stevenson penalty (Report). That was the second victory of a cup double for Musselburgh who only a few weeks before defeated the BUs at Newtown in the South Challenge Cup. Tom Grant put Bo’ness ahead in the first half but goals from Nicolas Reid and Aiden Welsh had the visitors in front until Tom Grant scored his second to put the game into extra time. Musselburgh regained their lead through Gabriele Auriemma before Lucas Stenhouse once again pulled Bo’ness level. Just as the game looked to be heading to penalties, Nathan Evans popped up to win the tie for Musselburgh (Report).

Musselburgh are finding their feet in the Lowland League and will be looking to kick on after a slow start. They won at home to Dunipace, went down versus Bonnyrigg Rose and Linlithgow Rose and at Lochee United. Two of their losses were against likely league front runners in the form of the Roses and Lochee always provide a stiff challenge. Musselburgh will not be too concerned at this early stage with plenty games ahead of them.

Musselburgh did exit the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup earlier this month losing to Luncarty on penalties after no goals in the ninety. Bo’ness on the other hand safely negotiated their tie against Vale of Leithen at Newtown. An early kick off saw Bo’ness two up before the scheduled three o’clock kick off with a Bradley Morris own goal and a Hamza Nimaga strike. Jake Houten pulled one back just before the break but Hamza Nimaga scored again in the second half before Jackson Mylchreest saw his penalty saved by Ryan Wood (Report).

Olivebank has not been a happy hunting ground for Bo’ness in recent years and Musselburgh are eager to keep that record going while needing a victory to get their campaign on the road, Bo’ness are equally keen to extend their winning run. A difficult challenge awaits Bo’ness and the manager and players along with the BU Faithful are hoping for a different outcome on this occasion.

John Spowart
Friday 21 August 2026

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH REPORT SEASON 2016/2017

Date: Saturday 6th August 2016 Venue: Olivebank
Competition - McBookie East Region Super League

Musselburgh Athletic (1)
(Spowart 85)
Bo’ness United (0)
Bo’ness United suffered a disappointing opening day defeat as they put in a poor performance at Olivebank.
The opening period of this match was fast and furious with plenty of misplaced passes and a paucity of chances. Nicky Walker saw a shot deflected wide and Marty Wright went close on the quarter hour mark but neither goal was looking particularly threatened.
Bo’ness had a claim for a penalty waved away when Michael Gemmell went down in the box but referee George Calder turned down the appeal.
It was Musselburgh who should have went ahead but John McManus headed over at the back post from an excellent position.
United then began to improve their passing and Wright had a shot saved before Chris Donnelly had a header deflected wide. The pressure began to increase with Wright crossing for Calum Smith who volleyed narrowly over and then Donnelly made a strong run before his shot was deflected behind.
United could have went ahead before half time when firstly Smith just failed to get on the end of a cut back and then Stuart Hunter headed a Sloan set piece past the post.
The second period started off with Bo’ness missing a decent opportunity after good play by Philp, Wright and Smith culminated in the latter having a shot saved.
Musselburgh themselves came close to breaking the deadlock when Chris Gray headed against the bar and as the ball was scrambled away the trialist keeper ended up injured. After several minutes of treatment he had to be replaced and Donnelly ended up taking the gloves.
The game continued to remain poor and it took until way after the hour for another attempt when Jed Davie shot well over for the home side. United then did start to create some chances with Wright shooting narrowly over and then Paul Murphy saw a goal bound effort well blocked.
It looked like United had went ahead on eighty minutes but Stewart Devine saw his shot hit the bar before Musselburgh went ahead when they broke quickly with Alistair Forster playing in Connor Spowart who finished well.
Bo’ness pushed for an equaliser late on with Will Snowdon volleying wide and then Walker went down in the box but nothing was given. In injury time Wright blasted over the bar from a good position and they can’t have too many complaints about leaving empty handed.
Bo’ness: Trialist (Devine 57), Snowdon, Donnelly, Murphy, Hunter, Gemmell, Walker, Philp, Smith (Keast 67), Sloan, Wright
Not used: Campbell & Gibb

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH REPORT SEASON 2019/2020

Date - 31 August 2019

Competition - Alex Jack Cup

Musselburgh Athletic 3
(King 11, Thomson 27, Orru 70)

Bo’ness United 1
(Snowdon 45+2)

Bo’ness United crashed out of the Alex Jack cup after losing an ill-tempered match at Olivebank against Musselburgh Athletic. United paid the price for a slow start and the dismissal of two key players as they lost for the first time this season.

The first chance of the match fell to the home side after ten minutes and Musselburgh legend Mathu King should have done better than blaze the ball over as he picked up a Nathan Evans header 18 yards out. Bo’ness didn’t heed the warning signs after that let-off and less than a minute later they were a goal down. Connor Thomson sent in a cross from the left wing and despite having four defenders for company, King had all the time he needed to control the ball and send a low finish past Andy Murphy. Musselburgh were all over Bo’ness and came close to doubling their advantage when Evans rampaged through the BU midfield and sent over an inviting ball across the face of goal which King couldn’t quite get on the end of. United rallied midway through the half and the goal frame came to the rescue for the home side when Chris Donnelly’s header from an Iain Syme cross was tipped onto the bar by Paul Grant. The brief revival was fleeting, and Musselburgh soon reasserted their dominance on proceedings and doubled their advantage through the excellent Thomson, the forward advanced unchallenged from midfield and unleashed a superb strike from 25 yards into the top corner. The task to come back from two goals behind got even harder for the visitors on the half hour when Stuart Hunter was shown a red card after a coming together on the touchline with Evans. A deserved dismissal and things were to from bad to worse for Bo’ness when the influential Michael Gemmell was forced off injured after a horrible looking head knock incurred during an accidental collision with Murphy. Despite the growing list of setbacks Bo’ness managed to give themselves a glimpse of hope when they pulled a goal back deep into first half stoppage time. Tom Grant sent an inviting free-kick into the area and substitute Will Snowdon was on hand to send a controlled volley into the net.

Bo’ness almost grabbed an equaliser right at the start of the second half when Donnelly was released on the right wing and his low cross was knocked just past his own post by Jordan Orru. The visitors were competing well despite the numerical disadvantage but hopes of a comeback were all but quashed ten minutes into the half when Donnelly received his marching orders after a firm tackle. A melee ensued involving nearly every player and the only action taken by the officials was a straight red for the BU skipper. There was a large penalty claim after a clear handball in the Musselburgh penalty area, but referee Addy was unmoved and shortly afterwards the home side made the game safe with a wind-assisted third goal. Jordan Orru’s hopeful cross flew over Murphy and found the net. To their credit Bo’ness kept going and created a number of half chances late on, none were converted however and Musselburgh saw the game out to qualify for the quarter finals.

Bo’ness: Murphy, Syme, Stevenson, Hewitt, Hunter, Nimmo (Comrie), Gemmell (Snowdon), Grant, Donnelly, Morgan and McKenzie. Unused: Keast and Mooney.
Scorers. Musselburgh: King, Thomson, Orru.

Kevin McAlpine

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date– Saturday 30 November 2024

Competition – Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Round 3

Musselburgh 3
(Evans 11, Donaldson 61, Stevenson 86 pen)

Bo’ness United 1
(Stenhouse 26)

Bo’ness United bowed out of the Scottish Cup at Olivebank, Musselburgh Athletic going through to the potentially lucrative fourth round. Bo’ness had their good periods during the game but overall, it was a disappointing afternoon for everybody associated with the club and the home side fully deserved their victory.

It was a nervous first fifteen minutes for the BUs as Musselburgh were all over them, scoring during this period. Nathan Evans running onto Craig Stevenson’s chipped pass before firing the ball past BU keeper Cade Melrose. Thankfully Bo’ness settled down and a Ryan Stevenson shot on the turn just missed the target. Shortly before the half hour mark Bo’ness were level as Lucas Stenhouse met a Ryan Stevenson cross to fire an unstoppable volley into the back of the Musselburgh net. Bo’ness were right back in the game and enjoyed their best spell of the tie without being able to take advantage. They also started the second half in a positive way and it was ironic that it was Musselburgh who got the all important second goal as Callum Donaldson latched onto a Zacharry Khan cutback to shoot low into the net from the edge of the box.

That second Musselburgh goal changed the whole complexion of the game, the home side looking the more likely, Bo’ness now struggling to compete. With four of the ninety left Musselburgh sealed their win as Craig Stevenson converted from the spot after Adam Masson had downed Nathan Evans in the box.

This was not a good day for Bo’ness United who must now reflect but be ready to go again for the rest of the season starting next week at Civil Service Strollers.

Bo'ness: Melrose, Masson, Macaulay, Hawkins (Duffy 62), Travis, Gemmell (Johnston 62), Stevenson (Osadolor 62), Henderson, Grant, Porteous. Subs (Not Used): McLinden Hamilton, SG: Ritchie.

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Saturday 09 November 2024

Competition – CarMat Kings South Challenge Cup Round 4

Bo’ness United 3
(Grant 17 87, Stenhouse 98)

Musselburgh 4
(Reid 67, Walsh 74, Auriemna 96, Evans 120)

After Extra Time

A Nathan Evans goal in the final minute of extra time sent Bo’ness out of the South Challenge Cup, the BUs finishing on the wrong end of a seven goal thriller. Once again Bo’ness were unable to convert enough of the chances that came their way while a normally mean backline looked uncomfortable at times

After an even start Bo’ness struck just after fifteen minutes, Musselburgh losing the ball from their own throwrearguard allowing Tom Grant to curl a fine shot into the opposite corner of the net. Bo’ness might have added to their score as one goal never looked to be enough against an eager Musselburgh side.

After the turnaround Musselburgh worked to get back and after missing a couple of opportunities finally made the breakthrough. With just over twenty minutes remaining Gabriele Auriemna slipped a pass across the goal and Nicolas Reid gratefully shot home from six yards. Seven minutes later the East Lothian side were ahead as Bo’ness were dispossessed in the middle of the park and Aiden Welsh ran through to slip past the exposed BU keeper Cade Melrose.

All credit to Bo’ness who never gave up and three minutes before the ninety scored to take the game to extra time. A Keir Macaulay corner was headed towards goal by Kyle Johnston, the ball blocked by keeper Liam McCathie but Tom Grant pounced to slot home from close in. Just on the whistle a shout went up for a hand ball in the Musselburgh box but the referee waved away the claim and the game moved into extra time. Only six minutes in Musselburgh took the lead as the ball found its way to the unmarked Gabriele Auriemna beyond the post and he blasted a shot into the far corner of the net. Almost right away Bo’ness struck back, Lucas Stenhouse stroking home a Tom Grant pass.

Just before the break Bo’ness were reduced to ten men when the Kyle Johnston was shown a second yellow card, perhaps unlucky given other persistent offenders around him. The BUs were to face the final fifteen a man short though the outcome was still in the balance both teams still playing for a winner. With time running out and penalties looking more likely Musselburgh swapped keepers much to the frustration of the starting choice. As it was, the late strike won the game for Musselburgh with the inevitable contrast in feelings on the final whistle.

Bo’ness have little time to lick their wounds as they travel to Ardrossan Winton Rovers on Tuesday for a Scottish Junior Cup tie followed by a home league match against current leaders and Title favourites East Kilbride. Only then can they consider the return match at Musselburgh, this time in the Scottish Cup where clearly they must improve to have any hope of progressing in the National Tournament.

Bo'ness: Melrose, Masson, Macaulay, Duffy, Travis, Gemmell (Johnston 64), Stevenson (Osadolor 72), Irving (Henderson 80), Grant (McLinden 117), Porteous. Subs (Not Used): Hawkins Mitchell, SG: Ritchie.

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2026/2027

Date – Saturday 15 August 2026

Competition – East of Scotland Qualifying Cup Round 2

Bo’ness United 3
(Morris 2 OG, Nimaga 4 59)

Vale of Leithen 1
(Houten 42)

Bo’ness United won through to the next round of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup where two goals in the first four minutes gave the BUs the early platform to progress. The first came when Vale keeper Ryan Wood spilled a free kick shot and Jackson Mylchreest hit the ball back across the goal only for Bradley Morris to turn into his own net. Only two minutes later it was two, Hamza Nimaga winning the ball in the box and forcing it home from close in.

After the half hour Bo’ness came close to extending their lead a Jack Hodge header hitting the bar before being cleared for a corner. From that Jackson Mylchreest saw his header also hit the woodwork. However, it was the visitors who scored next, just before the break Jake Houten winning the ball on the right cutting inside and blasting an angled shot into the net.

Ten minutes into the second half Vale went close with a Fraser Stewart shot that went narrowly over but Bo’ness survived the scare and a few minutes later restored their two goal cushion. Shaun Brown took the ball to the line and his low cross was converted by Hamza Nimaga. Shortly after Bo’ness had the opportunity to put the game beyond Vale when new loan signing Murray Binnie was fouled in the box but Ryan Wood got down to save the resulting Jackson Mylchreest penalty kick.

It might have been a setback but Bo’ness pressed Vale of Leithen creating though spurning a number of chances to get the extra breathing space. As it turned out there was no more scoring but a great tackle from Dan Irving on Jake Houten avoided any late drama for the BUs.

Bo’ness United: 1 Sam Gardner 2 Jamie Allan (Irving 46) 3 Shaun Brown
4 Jordan Armstrong (Fitzpatrick 46) 5 Joe Cassidy 6 Adam Masson (Capt)
7 Hamza Nimaga (Grant 63) 8 Alfie Smith (Hodge 63) 9 Jackson Mylchreest (Mitchell 63)
10 Murray Binnie 11 Robbie Murdoch

Subs: 12 Dan Irving 14 Tom Grant 15 Jack Hodge 16 Kieran Mitchell 17 Roan Fitzpatrick
18 Ben Murdoch (Not Used) SG Allan Fleming (Not Used)