Tranent 2-1 Bo'ness

With league and cup results going well for the BU overall this season it was a chance to reach a cup Quarter final before Xmas for the BU and if this game was to be anything like the last cup visit here earlier in the season it was set to be a full drama nail biter. The BU went a goal behind with minutes remaining and when the ball hit the net for 2-2 after the 90 minutes was up everyone was braced for extra time. It never came however as deep into added time the visitors came up with a winner to clinch the tie, it’s going to take another great performance to beat what looked to be a good team again this afternoon.
With the game getting underway at 13:30 to leave time to spare in case of extra time and a shoot out both teams looked to assert themselves early on. It was the visitors with the ball in the net but before it got there the referee had already blown for a free kick on the edge of the box. Morgan struck it towards goal but it came back to him off the defensive wall, he chipped it into the box only for a shot to go well over the bar. The visitors pressed forward more and a good ball into the box forced the home keeper to be alert. At the other end as a quick break took place Murphy was also alert for the BU plucking a routine cross out the air. Forward came the visitors again forcing a couple of corners followed by a decent shot on goal that went over the bar. The visitors got forward again with another good cross well defended in what was overall a fairl even game with the visitors possibly just shading it on chances and possession. It was the home side however that took the lead on 34 minutes as a good ball played through cut open the visitors back line and the balk was calmly slotted past the Murphy and into the bottom corner. The BU quickly tried to respond with Morgan having a good effort with now 7 minutes of the half remaining. With little more to tell about before half time and the visitors probably shading the 1st half with not much in it the referee ended the half Tranent 1 - 0 Bo’ness.
Into the 2nd half and the BU had a chance to level as a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Smowdon only to see the ball come back off the post. It was soon a levee game however as Gemmel done well to beat his man and put a good cross low into the box, Marty Wright was there to slot the ball low into the net. Tranent then got a chance to go back in front as the referee awarded another penalty. The players looked at each other and the support looked on wondering what the penalty was for as there didn’t appear to be a reason for the award. However the penalty was scored and Tranent we’re back in front at 2-1. The visitors were still pressing and a good cross from Morgan was defended for a corner. Morgan swing the corner in and as the ball headed towards the target it was well defended. Forward came the BU again this time the cross was too deep but it was retrieved and played back across from the far side only for a Tranent player to go down softly and be awarded a free kick. 15 minutes remaining and the visitors were piling on the pressure again this time with a shot defended for a corner. Snowdon swing in a good delivery only for the Tranent keeper to be quick off his line and catch the bell cleanly. Murphy was called into action for the BU as a quick break saw a shot sting his gloves in a fairly routine save. BU manager Kegs made a change with now 11 minutes remaining as Shirra replaces Comrie. The BU were soon on the attach again with another shot on goal sent for a corner. Snowdon took a short one quickly to Mackenzie who laid the ball off for Campbell on the edge of the box the shot was poor and well over the bar and wide. Another corner was won with more good play from the BU and a shot from it that looked a certain goal was somehow cleared for yet another corner. With 5 minutes to go it was clear the visitors were throwing everything at it as they were now camped out in the home sides half. The Tranent keeper had his gloves stung with a great shot which was saved well and palmed away for a corner. Marty Wright had a header that came off the bar but it wouldn’t have counted even if it was in the net as the linesman had his flag up for offside. As the 90 minutes approached the home side broke forward and Campbell saw a 2nd yellow for a foul as he tried to break up the attack. Shirra has a good run with the ball for the BU before being fouled on the edge of the box. Morgan struck the free kick but it was straight at the home keeper who made a comfortable save. With time now running out as we were deep in added time a final chance for the visitors came as another foul from the home side gave the opportunity for a shot from just outside the box. Morgan was the man tasked with taking the kick again, unfortunately it was over the bar and out of play for a goal kick. As the home keeper kicked the ball up field the referee ended the match Tranent 2 - 1 Bo’ness.