Match Preview

Written by JOHN SPOWART!

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, Central Taxis Football Nation Cup Round 2,
Ballast Park, Saturday 12 10 2019

Bo’ness United take a break from their league programme with a visit to Inverkeithing
Hillfield Swifts for a Football Nation Cup tie. This will be Bo’ness’s first game against
a side that was formed in 1996 as Inverkeithing Boys Club, reformed in 2000 as
Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, the amateur side joining the East of Scotland League in
2018.
Their first season saw them finish second bottom of Conference C although this time
round they are currently second from top of their conference and going well. In recent
weeks they defeated Hawick Royal Albert, Coldstream and Preston Athletic in the
league although Preston knocked them out of the South of Scotland Cup and lost to
Musselburgh Athletic in the Alex Jack Cup. They beat Tweedmouth in the last round
of the Football Nation Cup.
Bo’ness won through the first-round game against Oakley United in their temporary
home at Carmuirs Park. Stuart Love gave the Fife side a half time lead although
Chris Donnelly equalised right after the break. An unfortunate Ross Campbell/Andy
Murphy own goal had the visitors ahead once more but Terry Hewitt scored for
Bo’ness to pull them back level again before Brian Morgan struck and the BUs were
ahead for the first time. Into time added on and Ryan Stevenson made sure of the
victory.
In their Premier Division campaign, the BUs have won four in a row and sit top of the
table. The latest victory at Dunbar United saw Ross Campbell, making his 200th appearance for Bo’ness and he gave them an early lead although the BUs should
perhaps have scored more as they dominated the first half. The second half was
more of a scrappy affair but Bo’ness scored a second, Ryan Stevenson converting
from the spot after a handball in the box. With ten minutes remaining substitute
Darren McGraw pulled one back for Dunbar but Bo’ness saw the game out for a
deserved three points.
Bo’ness will be favourites to win on Saturday but cup football does not always go to
form and manager Max Christie will be urging his players to guard against
complacency. The expectant BU Faithfull may also have to be patient and with
Inverkeithing less than thirty minutes from Bo’ness a good turnout is expected with
another new ground to be ticked off the list.