BU'S Through to the Next Round

Report by Bryan Copeland

Match 3 of 3 between these 2 sides and the BU can take confidence in the previous 2 having won both edging Crossgates out in extra time at Home and winning in the league just last week.
Cup duty again today and the BU were looking for the hat trick of wins to further continue the unbeaten run being enjoyed currently by everyone at the club. Having gone through August unbeaten the last time the BU lost was back at the end of July in the opening competitive game at home to Jeanfield Swifts.

Into the game and it was the home side with the early chances the 1st coming for Ross Campbell when he headed wide following a good ball into the box. Another good ball in Presented another opportunity again it came to nothing. Ian Syme saw a yellow from the match referee on 19 mins with still no threat from the home side. A good ball in from the far side had Chris Donnelly with a half chance to open the scoring but the ball came off the top of his head rather than being directed towards goal. The home side got forward down the right but in the end there was no threat to the BU goal. Soon another chance came for the visitors again good play brought about a foul and the ball into the box was well delivered but no shot on goal came from it. Michael Gemmell for the BU saw a yellow card along with a Crossgates sub when the referee summoned him to show the card. A corner for the BU was swung in by Brian Morgan with 7 mins of the first half remaining that came to nothing. The home side got forward again down the right hand side with Ian Syme making a well timed tackle to clear any danger. As the visitors tried to break quickly the yellow card was again out from the referee as the Crossgates number 6 was booked. Finally the opening goal came as the visitors got forward 3 minutes from half time, Brian Morgan produced a great cross which found Stuart Hunter who headed into the net. Crossgates 0 - 1 BU. The home side almost responded immediately with a move down the right but the final shot went well over the bar.
Half time Crossgates Primrose 0 - 1 BU.

Into the 2nd half and within the first 10 mins the visitors were down to 10 with a straight red shown for a high tackle to the chest of Michael Gemmell. This was shortly followed by a chance to extend the lead from the BU with Brian Morgan again doing very well, however 16 mins into the 2nd half it remained 1-0 to the visitors. Allan MacKenzie then done well down the right for the BU and played a good ball over the box that was palmed away by the Home keeper, no one was there follow up for the BU and send the ball into the net. Brian Morgan then had a coming together and got a yellow card. Shortly followed on 24 minutes with another yellow for the home side, unfortunately for them it was the 2nd for the same player and they were now reduced to 9 men. BU manager Steven Kerrigan made his 1st change as Nicky Prentice was replaced by James Rintoul. The home side were now looking to be a bit frustrated as yet again they laid in another heavy tackle this time however the referee kept his cards in his pocket. The ball was well swung in by Brian Morgan from the resulting free kick and like the 1st goal “big game Hunter” rose above everyone to head the ball home. Crossgates 0 - 2 BU. The 2nd sub from BU manager Steven Kerrigan came as Brian Morgan who had yet another fantastic game was replaced by David Gray. This was shortly followed by the final sub with 14 mins to play as Ross Campbell went off for Aldin Zubadi. Into the final 10 minutes and there was shouts from the sidelines for another red card as the home side laid the boots in yet again with a horrendous tackle on the half way line again Michael Gemmell was on the receiving end. After consultation with the linesman the referee produced a yellow card and having been booked before the red followed as the home side went down to 8 men. The visitors went on the attack again with a good ball over the box that the home keeper managed to stop then gather the loose ball before any BU player could get on the end of it. Forward went the ball from the home side but Alex Marshall in the BU goal was out quickly to save. With 5 minutes remaining the unbelievable happened as the home side with 8 men found the net to make it Crossgates 1 - 2 BU. Forward came the BU again this time a first time shot was on but wasn’t taken. Unbelievably it was then panic stations for the BU as with a minute to go Crossgates rattled the cross bar of Marshall. Now into injury time the ball was thankfully at the right end of the park for the BU as the Home keeper palmed the ball away for a corner. Stuart Hunter was up looking for his hat trick but the ball was well over his head. Play continued deep into stoppage time and finally the referee blew the whistle.
Crossgates Primrose 1 - 2 BU - Full time.