LTHV 0-2 Bo'ness United

REPORT KINDLY SUPPLIED BY BRYAN COPELAND

Match Report
EOS League Conference B
Lothian Thistle v Bo’ness United
Sauchton Sports Complex
Sat 30/03/19 KO : 14:30

BU Team :
Gk : Murphy. Def Jacobs Hunter Campbell Snowden. Mid/Att : Stevenson Morgan Gemmel Prentice Donnelly Wright.

With the famous EOS Ground Hop Day getting underway at Dunipace last night where Bonnyrigg were the visitors and had a comfortable win to confirm what has been know for a while they would win Conference B and progress to the play offs the 2nd place focus that has always been the case for the BU is now the main challenge between now and the end of the season with the added bonus of a couple of cups still to play for.
For the last match against today’s opponents Lothian Thistle Hutchinson Vale we have to go way back to the start of the season on a Wednesday night last August and it was a memorable one for the BU as the home side got off to an absolute flyer with an outstanding display leaving the visitors no answer and the BU ran out winners scoring 5 goals. The away trio today could be very different with both teams on a decent run the BU especially as we are still unbeaten in the opening 6 games of the new era at Bo’ness with Max Christie at the helm. Today’s opponents however will be looking to get 3 points as they still have a chance if making the lucrative top 5 and a place in the top EOS League for next season which is shaping up to be a fantastic league with many competitive games throughout next season. The visiting BU will also be vying for the win and 3 points as they look to continue the unbeaten run and secure 2nd in the league.

Into today’s game then and it was taken in as always with a good travelling support form Bo’ness and on what was a decent day weather wise for football the conditions were good and bright with no wind at all to affect the game. It was a stuffy start to the match with both teams trying to get on the ball and ascertain themselves in the game but no clear chances came for either side in the opening 15 minutes. The 1st chance of the match then came and it was for the visitors with a good ball into the box calling the home keeper into action and he done well to make the save. 18 minutes in and another chance for the visiting BU with a free kick awarded well outside the box for hand ball. The ball was swung into the area well and Donnelly rose to meet it with a header on target forcing the home keeper to make a decent stop low to his left. In the end even had the keeper even beaten the goal wouldn’t have counted as the near side linesman had his flag up for offside. A corner for the BU on 23 minutes gave the next chance and it was a great ball swung in by Morgan with the home keeper yet again called into action with a decent stop to keep the score 0-0. 2 quick shots on goal soon followed 1 for each team as the home side played a long ball forwards and a shot from outside the box was easily blocked by the defence followed by a good ball played quickly forwards and a throw in from Will Snowden played back to him and he out a good cross in resulting in the home keeper having to be alert to make a block. Another chance for the home side came on 32 minutes when a quick ball forward meant a shot was on but the extra touch seemed to take the ball away from goal and the end shot didn’t trouble Murphy in the BU goal as it went well wide. A good ball forward almost had Donnelly in with a chance but the linesman was quick to raise his flag in what looked to be a tight decision. This was quickly followed by the home side breaking away and BU keeper Murphy being alert to make a save on his goal line. As half time approached Prentice had a good shot for the visitors turned away for a corner followed by a Hunter header that the home keeper saved well but no goals as the referee blew for half time
LTHV 0 - 0 BU.

Into the 2nd half and a change for the BU for work reasons sad Gemmel have to rush off to an emergency call and was replaced by Comrie. It wasn’t long before the 1st goal of the game was scored. A defensive mix up between the home full back and goal keeper left BU Captain Donelly with a tap it to make it LTHV 0 - 1 BU. Shortly after it could have been 2 for the visitors as a good effort from Donnelly came back off the cross bar with the home keeper beat as the visitors strayed to take a bit of control in the game for this period. Forward came the visitors again with s good ball into the box the home keeper had to be alert to save. 18 minutes in and a change from BU Gaffer Max Christie as Wright was replaced by Keast. The home keeper was now making a good plea for man of the match as yet again he produced a good save this time a curled shot from just inside the box by Keast saw him make a fantastic diving save to keep score as it was LTHV 0 - 1 BU. 25 minutes into match a Keast broke into the home sides box only to be fouled and without hesitation the referee pointed to the spot. Morgan steppes up to take and hit the ball well low to keepers right but yet again he was alert and got down to make a brilliant save. Another chance came and went for the visitors with a good ball into the box and Keast on the end of it with a header over the bar. 7 minutes to go and a great pass from Morgan found Keast who got on the end of it only for the home keeper to get down quickly and put him off the shot which went wide of the post. Snowdon soon swung a free kick into the box but it was catching practice for the home keeper who easily plucked the ball out the air as the game went into the final 5 minutes. A good ball forward found Keast in the box and as he went down he was livid that the referee didn’t award a penalty but instead gave a corner as the ball rolled away. Morgan swung it in well and Keast was there to make the game safe for the visitors as he fired home into the net to make it LTHV 0 - 2 BU. With no more action in the closing stages the referee ended the match LTHV 0 - 2 BU.