Dundonald Bluebell 0-1 Bo'ness United

Match report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND

After battling back 3 times eventually with 9 men at this very place a fortnight ago to draw 3-3 in a league encounter the BU returned at least with more of a squad than the 12 that managed to turn up last week against leaders and high flyers Bonnyrigg. Credit to the players that were available as they tried their best but 2 quick 2nd half goals finally finished the game off as the BU went down 4-1 in the end. It was always going to be a big ask with players unavailable through suspension, injury, illness and holiday.
Even though last week was the 1st league defeat of the season for the BU it sees us slip down to 7th in the league but that’s aside for today a chance to continue a run in 1 of the many cup competitions and to bounce back from last week awaits the visitors today.
Onto today and the players and officials were led out by a lone piper as they gathered around the centre circle. A exemplary minute silence was observed by all in the ground remembering those who went to war and never returned almost 100 years ago. As the game got underway kicking off early due to the darker nights and the chance of extra time and penalties if the match ends a draw.
It was an action packed start however an within minutes the visiting BU had the lead as Prentice headed home a good cross from the left. Straight from the kick off the home side looked to hit back and almost did only to see the ball come back off Marshall’s post. As the game then settled down the visitors started to look the much better side with good play across the midfield and making their way towards the home sides goal several times without a real cutting edge finish. Just on the half hour a golden opportunity came as Wright down well starting a fantastic move down the left, as the ball was delivered into the box McKenzie tried to flick it cutely towards goal and the rebound fell to Prentice in acres of space to pick his spot and score, unfortunately he blasted the ball high over the bar. The visitors then continued to look the better side and the home keeper was busy making a save yet again. A free kick to the BU was he next opportunity. Morgan stood over the ball and possibly the shot was on given the range but he picked out Hunter with a beautiful ball unfortunately he missed the back completely and it rolled away for a goal kick. Wright then done well on the far side and a great ball was fizzed low over the box, McKenzie made contact but the ball went wide of the post. It was now getting hard to believe it was only 1-0 with 6 minutes of the half remaining as the amount of chances passed up by the BU was unbelievable. The home side almost made them pay as-well with a shot just wide of the post. Forward came the visiting BU again but the final ball when it could and possibly should have been a shot was lacking and the ball was cleared. Wright then done well on the left and had the home keeper off his line and out of his area to clear. Forward came the ball from the visitors again however this time with the end effort wide of the post. Into added time and it was hard to believe it was only 1-0 to the visitors as yet again hey came forward dangerously but it came to nothing.
Half time Dundonald 0 - 1 Bo’ness United.
Into the 2nd half and the visitors were hoping they didn’t pay for all the missed chances in the 1st half after playing so well. It was almost reality straight away as the home side came forward only for Marshall to make a great save and tip the ball over the ball. The visitors got forward again as another chance came and went. Prentice then down really well beating couple of player and getting a shot away that the home keeper tipped over the bar. Marshall in the BU goal had a routine clearance to make from a long ball forward before yet again the visiting BU were on the front foot with more good play down the right hand side, the ball made it into the box and McKenzie was there to meet it and have a shot unfortunately it was well off target high and wide. As the next attack unfolded McKenzie was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Usual taker Snowdon stood on the half way line as Marty Wright stepped up, he tried to place the ball low to the corner but the home keeper got down and made the save. Soon after yet another chance went begging for the visitors as Donnelly had a header just over the bar. With now 25 minutes remains it was unbelievable the amount of chances the visitors had missed and playing so well the large baiting support were now praying it didn’t come back to haunt us this afternoon. The fear almost became a reality as the hi side broke forward and the BU had to clear the ball twice in quick succession before going on a quick counter attack that came to nothing. A free kick for the BU provided another opportunity as Morgan could have shot he decided to curl the ball into the box, Hunter got his head on it but the ball went wide of the he keepers post. As the BU got forward yet again Wright broke into the box and had a shot that was on target and well saved by the Dundonald keeper. The home side got forward only to see a shot from distance deflected away for a corner as the game now entered the final 15 minutes. With 9 minutes to go another chance came and went for the visitors as Hunter headed over from a corner. The home did broke forward and Marshall in the BU goal was called into action palming the ball away when he really should have held onto it. Wright got the BU back forward with a good run as we were now into the last 5 minutes. BU manager kegs made a change as Sweeney replaced Wright for the final minutes of the game. The home side tried to get forward but were cut out early as the visitors got on the front foot again with a throw in the was defended for a corner. Yet another shot on goal from the visitors followed again it was off target. Now on the 90 minutes the visiting support were just praying the result held specially given all the chances that have gone begging. Prentice almost sealed it with a good shot towards goal only for the ball to again go wide of the post. The home side broke forward quickly as Morgan done well to cut out the ball and it went for a corner. The corner was defended away for a throw in and the visitors then cleared the ball well up field. Substitute Sweeney done well holding the ball up in the far corner and won a free kick. Another shot went over the home keepers bar as we now went into added time. With no more action the match ended in a well deserved win for the visitors.