BU's Leave it late to see off Tranent

After going on an 8 game unbeaten run it finally came to an end for the BU at Lowland league favourites East Kilbride last Saturday causing an exit in the South of Scotland Challenge Cup at an early stage. Today the BU face another tough game in the Quarter finals of the Alex Jack Cup away to a Tranent side who also like ourselves were Junior until recently and experienced Cup success at junior level with a cup double. Tranent have started this season well and I’m sure will provide a tough test for a BU side still not at full strength with injuries.

Into the game and it got underway in decent conditions on a bright day with a slight breeze. The visitors got into the game early with some decent crosses into the home sides box as they tried to press forward. The home side then came into the game and Hunter done well at the back to clear for a corner. 1 corner was followed by another with Murphy doing well to punch clear from the 2nd. Forward came the home side again this time Snowdon was on hand to make a good tackle and set the BU in the right direction towards the home sides goal. The visitors then conceded a free kick as the home side broke forwards. It was within striking distance and Murphy made an excellent save to tip the ball over the bar for a corner. Hunter was called into action in defence to clear as the home side tried to press forward again with a slight wind at their backs. Forward then came the visitors with a half chance on goal that unfortunately came to nothing. A great shot on goal then came from the visitors as a free kick was awarded just outside the box. Morgan and Watt stood over it and in the end Watt struck the ball really well towards goal only to see it come flying back off the cross bar. The BU pushed forward again and Tranent’s Ian Black saw a yellow card for a foul on Morgan. The home side came forward again shortly after and Murphy was scrambling across his goal to get down to a shot that went past his left hand post, it did look however he had it covered if it was on target. Hunter found his way into the book for a foul on the edge of the box. The ball was swung in well by the Home side and a deflection took it away for a corner. In it came and more good defending this time from Campbell cleared the ball. As the visitors tried to get forward possession was won back by Tranent on the edge of their box and a really quick break saw them in on goal. It was Murphy to the rescue again as he made another good save to send the ball for a corner. With little more action in the final 5 minutes the half it ended
Tranent 0 - 0 BU.

Into the 2nd half and after a quiet start with only a booking for Gemmil to report the opening goal came for the home side as a ball was met in the box and hit sweetly past Murphy into the net. Tranent 1 - 0 BU. The visitors tried to get back into the game with a break forward followed by another with McKenzie doing well to win a corner. Watt swung it in but it was easily cleared by the Home defence. The equaliser came for the BU with 27 minutes remaining as Watt swung in an excellent corner and Captain Chris (Dougie) Donnelly rose above everyone to power a header into the net. Tranent 1 - 1 BU. The equaliser gave the visitors a lift and they were on the attack again winning yet another corner. Watt again delivered it but no one got on the end of it before the home side cleared. BU manager Kegs made a change with 20 mins remaining as Sweeney replaced Prentice. A very un necessary booking was then picked up by Snowdon for the BU as a throw in was awarded in the Tranent half. With the game still locked at 1-1 we entered the final 15 minutes with a big away support hoping for a winner before extra time and possibly penalties. It was the home side however with the next chance as they earned a free kick to the left hand side of the box. The ball was swung in but cleared away before any shot went towards Murphy. The visitors got forward and had a free kick swung into the box by Morgan, it was a good ball in that the Home keeper got a hand to but the rebound fell to Sweeney who tried to pick out a cross but the ball was cleared. Donnelly then done really well as he won the ball and cut inside before sending a curling shot towards goal, the Home keeper was equal to it and made the save. With the visitors now enjoying good possession forward they came again this time calling the home defence into action to clear before any shot headed for goal. As the game went into the final 6 minutes there was still belief a winning goal was possible as again forward came the visitors. A free kick was swung in by watt and with plenty there to get on the end of it the Home keeper was 1st to react and gather the ball. Right on the 90 minutes it looked like game over however as the home side broke quickly forward and Murphy saved an initial shot but the rebound was tucked into the net to make it Tranent 2 - 1 BU. Straight from the restart however the visitors were right back in the game as Morgan had a shot deflected into the home sides net to make it Tranent 2 - 2 BU. Now deep into injury time it looked certain both teams were in it for the long haul with extra time and possible penalties, the visitors however had other ideas as now well over time Captain Dougie was on hand to score the winner. Tranent 2 - 3 BU. The action wasn’t over however as Hunter for the BU was shown a 2nd yellow card and given his marching orders for what looked to be either something said or gestures towards the crowd. Finally well over time the referee ended the match Tranent 2 - 3 BU.