Bo'ness See off Stubborn Crossgates

Report By Bryan Copeland
This is the 2nd of 3 successive matches between the 2 sides and with the visiting BU narrowly winning 1-0 in extra time last week after a 0-0 draw in the 90 minutes they would be desperately hoping it wouldn’t be a case of bah humbug at Humbug Park today.
The game got underway with the BU playing in the Orange Strips and Crossgates in Blue. 11 minutes in and the visitors had an opening goal, a corner swung in well was caught by Will Snowdon on the volley and at first there was claims of over the line and not over but the linesman and referee deemed it to be a goal. Crossgates 0 - 1 BU. The home side tried to come back but a good tackle by Michael Gemmell cleared any danger. Forward came the Home side again though, this time Stuart Hunter done well to clear any danger. As the BU got forward again with 25 minutes played the referee deemed a foul in the box and pointed to the spot. Usual penalty taker Snowdon missed his last penalty which is the only reason I can think of for Fraser Keast stepping up this time. Unfortunately it was a very poor penalty as Fraser Keast tried to place it in the corner only for the ball to go well wide of the post. Even worse was as soon as the ball was struck Fraser Keast hit the deck looking to be injured while taking it and was forced off with Josh McDonald taking his place. Further information told me that Fraser Keast caught his studs in the turf just before he struck the ball which would explain the poor penalty and to add to the despair a good player and also a key player looks to be badly injured. As the end of the half approached the BU were on the front foot again only for the ball to be cleared well by the Home defence. Forward came the Home team only for the BU back line to clear any danger again. The final chance of the half was from the visitors good play out wide gave an opportunity for the ball to be played in but as it was attached the linesman on the far side raised his flag for offside.

Half time Crossgates Primrose 0 - 1 BU.

Into the 2nd half and it was much the same as the 1st a stuffy game with very little being given from either side. An early change for the BU saw Josh Watt replace Nicky Prentice. Eventually though the game looked to be put beyond doubt by the BU as Brian Morgan got on the end of a great through ball and placed it past the keeper for a silky finish into the bottom corner. Crossgates 0 - 2 BU.
It was almost 3 straight after as a shot from Michael Gemmell stung the gloves of the Home keeper. It was then to be despair for the visiting BU as he home side broke forward and were awarded a penalty. Andy Murphy in the BU goal saved brilliantly but the home side were first to react to the loose ball and tucked it into the net Crossgates 1 - 2 BU. Visiting manager Kegs then made his final change with Devon Jacobs going off for David Gray. With around 20 mins to go the BU had another chance, a good cross from the right found Chris Donnelly in the box but his header went over the bar. Yet another chance for the BU soon followed as David Gray stood over a free kick in a good position to cross, it was a decent ball in but well cleared by the Home side. With 14 minutes to go Brian Morgan had a shot on the volley from the edge of the box well over the bar, possibly he could have brought it down and slotted it away but had the initial shot went in it would have been a screamer. Heading into the final 10 minutes the game was getting rather scrappy with not a lot happening at either end of the pitch. The BU got a ball into the visitors box as the final few minutes approached but it was booted clear by the Home defence. On the 90 minutes a hopeful ball forward almost found Chris Donnelly but it was cleared for a throw in. Will Snowdon took it and the BU knocked a few passes about before Michael Gemmell dinked a ball into the box only for it to be cleared. The home side then managed to get forward but Stuart Hunter at the back for the BU blasted the ball well clear. The home side were then in on goal again this time BU keeper Andy Murphy saved. Forward came the visitors now deep into injury time but Michael Gemmell was offside as the ball reached him in the box. That was to be the last of the action meaning 3 points for the visiting BU.

Full time : Crossgates Primrose 1 - 2 BU.