It’s a full two months since Bo’ness United played a match at Newtown Park and have only had nine games from twenty three at home so far this season. Hopefully this will balance out in the coming weeks before the ground is vacated to start the preparation for the new pitch to be laid over the summer.

Dundonald Bluebell visit Newtown on Saturday and it will be the third meeting between the clubs this season. Bo’ness visited Moorside Park for the corresponding East of Scotland League fixture in October and an eventful game finished all square. Bo’ness had Ross Campbell red carded early on but got back on three occasions to share the spoils. Barry Sibanda put Dundonald ahead after half an hour but Marty Wright equalised from the spot just before the break only for Ross Drummond to regain his side’s lead two minutes into the second half. Again Wright pulled it back for Bo’ness but all looked lost when Will Snowdon conceded a penalty and was sent off for the challenge. Alex Marshall saved the spot kick from Archie Campbell but Scott Durie headed in from the resulting corner. Only fifteen minutes remaining with nine men Bo’ness fought back and with two minutes left on the clock Marty Wright completed his hat trick.

Only two weeks later Bo’ness were back in Fife, this time a Football Nation Cup tie and an early Nicky Prentice goal was enough to split the sides and see the BUs through. Unfortunately they narrowly lost the next round at Tranent.

Dundonald are on a good run of form winning their last four games, all in the League, and they are in a comfortable second position in the table. Bo’ness have games in hand and they could overtake Bluebell but the Fife team have the points in the bag and it would take real slump in form for them not to achieve a top five place.

Bo’ness experienced a disappointing no score draw at Tynecastle last week and once again the inability to convert chances was the problem. Bo’ness always looked the better team and the second half in particular they swarmed forward but proved ineffective in the top third of the park. Tynecastle played a great rear guard action and at the end were clearly delighted with their point. The expressions of both players and supporters from Bo’ness gave a completely different message.

A difficut game is in prospect for Saturday and the players will need to up their game to get the desired result. With a draw and a win already against Dundonald Bo’ness know that victory is achievable but the visitors will be determined not lose this one. As usual it will be the BU fans dominating the terraces and hopefully they will make their presence felt and at the end can leave Newtown with the warm glow generated by a Bo’ness United win.

John Spowart
17 January 2019