Bo'ness United 1-4 Bonnyrigg Rose

Report by BRIAN COPELAND.

The biggest league game of the season so far for the BU comes today as ex junior rivals Bonnyrigg visit Newtown Park. Worryingly for the home side Bonnyrigg are flying high this season banging goals in left right and centre and sitting top of the conference. Not helping the BU either is the amount of players injured, suspended or unavailable for today’s game with manager Kegs securing a swap deal yesterday for defender Michael McMullin as Watt headed out the exit door for Pollock. Given the difficulties faced, a good crowd today will certainly help the home side against last years Junior East Region Superleague Champions.
Into today’s game and it was taken in by a fair crowd despite the weather. As the game kicked off the home side shooting towards the Kinneil school end of the ground as the rain yet again came down. The home side started well and had the ball in the visitors box a couple of times with no clear cut chances so far. The home side started the better of the 2 in the opening spell but on 12 minutes the visitors sliced us open with a good ball followed by the finish to make it BU 0 - 1 Bonnyrigg. There was very little other than midfield action with passes from both sides until 26 minutes into the game the BU were split wide open by a run from box to box for the ball to be easily passed and McGachie for Bonnyrigg who’s been prolific in front of goal made no mistake rounding the home keeper and slotting the ball into the net. More concern for the BU followed as with an already depleted squad and next to nothing on the bench Morgan & Gemmell required treatment before thankfully being able to continue. The visitors came forward threatening again but nothing came of the chance and although 2-0 down the home side weren’t playing too badly. Finally hope came 6 mins from half time as the referee pointed to the spot for a clear foul. Up stepped Andy Shirra to pull a goal back for the home side. BU 1 - 2 Bonnyrigg. Marshall in the BU goal was quickly called into action but well alert to make a save with now 3 minutes of the half remaining. Another penalty should have been awarded to the home side as it looked an absolute stonewaller but it wasn’t given. A long range effort well wide of Marshall’s post from the visitors was thought to be the last action of the half but the referee played well into stoppage time. No more action came however as it ended BU 1 - 2 Bonnyrigg.
Into the 2nd half and again the home side started not too badly but it was the visitors with best scoring chances as Marshall was called into action making a couple of good saves. The visitors weren’t shy of a tackle as foul after foul was waved away by the referee that clearly should have been given. Eventually 15 minutes in a foul was awarded not far outside the box. Morgan struck it towards goal but it was always rising and went well over the visiting keepers cross bar. The visitors came forward and flashed a dangerous ball across goal that came to nothing as it actually looked as though the home side were looking the better of the 2. Unfortunately things then went downhill for the home side as the visitors struck high into the net for BU 1 - 3 Bonnyrigg. And minutes later another goal made it BU 1 - 4 Bonnyrigg. The scoreline so far somewhat flattered the visitors but at the same time the chances they got were well taken and clinical in front of goal. Into the last 15 minutes and the home side now rocked by the 2 quick goals were well up against it with nothing on the bench, and a team far from full strength all doing the best they could and not deserving to be so much behind. With clock running down another terrible tackle saw the referee reaching for his pocket only a yellow was to the visiting defender. Andy Shirra swung the free kick into the box but it was met and cleared quickly by the Bonnyrigg defence. There was little more to report in the final minutes and the couple added on as the referee ended the match Bo’ness United 1 - 4 Bonnyrigg Rose