Bo'ness United 1-0 Musselburgh

Report kindly supplied by BRYAN COPELAND

After navigating their ways through all the rounds finally the last 2 teams come together for a chance of silverware. I’m not sure many BU towards the start of the season would have thought we would be in a cup final but the transformation since the arrival of Max Christie and his staff is evident week in and week out. So much so that this cup final today comes on the back of 16 games without a defeat meaning the manager has still to oversee a defeat with most of the 16 games so far wins whether they be in regulation time, extra time or even penalties. Today brings a chance for both sides to lift a cup in their 1st season of the EOS set up hanging both left the juniors at the end of last season. Both sides hand faced and defeated so tough opposition on the way to the final and today is that 1 final push for the glory.
The usual large crowd of BU fans were out in force today to cheer the team on with Musselburgh also bringing support (nothing like as many as the BU however) it made for a decent atmosphere and on a glorious day weather wise let’s hope the football lives up to the occasion. And of course let’s hope at the end of the report today it says that the BU are EOS League Cup Winners.

Into the game then and both teams tried to assert themselves early on with no real chances coming in opening 10 minutes. Soon after the chances started to come but they were for Mussy as a shot went over Murphy’s cross bar from a decent build up shortly followed by a good clearance from Hunter at the back for the BU. With Mussy looking the better team so far there was only a couple of chances of note for the BU, a good ball in fro mine left gave Keast a shot but the contact was poor and the keeper made an easy save. Also good play up the right saw a chance to get a cross in but the 1st touch was poor and the ball was cleared. Other than that in the opening half hour it was Musselburgh looking the better side as Campbell had a good header clear and Murphy put up a shout for a ball and never got it but it was cleared anyways. Murphy has to be alert to make a save although it was simple minutes later. The opening goal came and it has to be said rather against the run of play as Stevenson finished well for the BU on 24 minutes. BU 1 - 0 Musselburgh. The goal seemed to bring the BU back into the game and Morgan done well and it could have been 2 as the ball came back off the post from a Keast shot. Stevenson then done well bearing his man and retaining possession out wide but the ball into the box was cleared up the park. With no more to report the half ended
BU 1 - 0 Musselburgh

Into the 2nd half and it would probably suit the BU that were no chances at either end as they maintained their 1 goal lead. 20 minutes in however and there was a talking point as the referee awarded a foul and Michael Gemmil we think for something he said saw a 2nd yellow followed by red reducing the BU to 10 men for the remainder of the game. But as the challenge wasn’t even a foul never mind a card no one can blame him specially after he paid the extra to come from a holiday early just to play today. In the aftermath Morgan also saw a yellow. BU Gaffer Max Christie then made a chance as Keast went off for a still signed but very little people knew he was Nicky Walker. Things then looked to get worse for the BU as Murphy in goal didn’t look too clever and the ball hit the net. The BU breathed a sigh of relief however as offside was given and the goal didn’t stand. Forward then came the BU and won a corner which was unfortunately poorly taken and came to nothing. The Musselburgh side were looking back in the game for this period now as again they cams forward but Murphy in the BU goal was alert to clutch the ball from the air. A counter attack then saw Mckenzie do well for the BU before the ball was out out for a throw in. BU Gaffer Max Christie made a 2nd change as Wright replaced Stevenson and the BU were on the attack again through McKenzie who looked to me fouled but the claims were waved away by the referee. Forward again came Mussy but this time the attempt on goal was well off target. A great ball forward towards Morgan saw half a chance but as the ball was brought down it was cleared up field. The BU tried to keep possession and did so fairly well with only a simple catch having to be be made by BU keeper Murphy with now only minutes remaining. Comrie done well winning the ball and played a good pass to McKenzie who won a free kick on the touch line. Morgan played the free kick to McKenzie in the corner who done well to hold it until he committed a foul and gane away a free kick. Mussy played it up field only to be stopped again by the referees whistle. Hunter sent the ball back forward for the BU but it was to no one as possession was given away. Forward went the ball as a cross into the box seemed to beat everyone as it went out for a goal kick. With that being the last to talk about the match ended
Bo’ness United 1 - 0 Musselburgh- Full time.
The large crowd from the BU then stayed to see the cup lifted 1stly by BU Captain Chris (Dougie) Donnelly. A fantastic day for all connected with the BU.