Match Preview

Oakley United, Central Taxis Football Nation Cup Round 1, Carmuirs Park,
Saturday 17 August 2019

Bo’ness United are at ‘home’ for the first time this season this Saturday at their
temporary residency of Carmuirs Park actual home of Camelon Juniors. Oakley
United provide the opposition for round one of the Football Nation Cup, a tournament
that the BUs got as far as round three last season losing narrowly at Tranent Juniors.
Kayne Paterson, now at Newtongrange Star, put Tranent ahead and Marty Wright
equalised for Bo’ness minutes after they had missed from the spot, Will Snowdon
slamming the ball against the post. Kenny Fisher showed how it was done converting
a penalty for Tranent and, despite a lot of pressure, inspired goalkeeping from
Sinclair Inglis and resolute defending kept the BUs at bay. Oakley lost out a round
earlier going down heavily at Bonnyrigg Rose.
Oakley hosted Bo’ness just over a year ago in the League Cup section, the BUs
scoring three goals without reply. In saying that there was no score at half time
although shortly after the break Ross Campbell got Bo’ness off the mark, and Marty
Wright added a second before Marc Kelly, playing as a one off trialist for that season,
made sure of things in time added on.
Last season Oakley finished well down the table with only six wins from their twenty
four games. So far Oakley have won two and lost two and like most teams it’s too
early to tell how they will fare in this time round.
Bo’ness appear to have recovered from their shaky start at Broxburn and following
the good win at Crossgates Primrose the BUs had an impressive victory at
Newtongrange Star in the Alex Jack Cup. Forwards Fraser Keast and Mark
McKenzie had Bo’ness two goals ahead at half time and a Devon Jacobs rocket
shortly after the turnaround made it three. Keast scored his second of the day before
Kayne Paterson pulled one back for the hosts from the spot. However the BUs had
the last say when McKenzie was bundled over in the box and Brian Morgan
converted the resulting penalty.
The bookies have Bo’ness down as the red hot favourites for the Oakley game but
the BUs take nothing for granted as they strive to achieve consistency. Oakley have
little to lose and they will look to take advantage of any complacency in the Bo’ness
ranks.
Being the first home game of the season, this represents an opportunity for Bo’ness
to at last bring in some much needed gate receipts. Apart from that, the team are
playing well and hopefully the BU support can make the short trip to Camelon in
great numbers to see if the players can continue their good form.

John Spowart
15 August 2019