Swifts FC 1-2 Bo'ness United

A view from the terraces, submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

Having not lost a league game since taking over near the start of this year and currently this season sitting top of the EOS Premier league table with 6 wins and 3 draws Max Christie takes a break from league duty with a cup tie against Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts today. The home side joined the EOS set up at the same time as Bo’ness but played last season in Conference C finishing near the bottom while the BU were in Conference B. This season however Swifts are going well sitting 2nd top of their league but for unknown reasons recently got rid of their manager who was ex Bo’ness man Lee Duffy.
The BU with the recent results will take confidence into the fixture and although we have had injury problems and don’t hand the biggest of squads the lads are really digging in and getting results to keep us top of the league for now. With 3 home league games to come after today’s match a positive result will keep the winning run going and keep the confidence high which is what everyone associated with the club will be looking for.

Into today’s game and the usual large travelling support was there to cheer the BU on. The visitors started the better possession wise but never saw a real chance on goal. The best chance then fell to the home side but the a good block saw the ball cleared from close range. Morgan and Stevenson then done well as the BU tried to take control of the game but after 15 minutes the score remained 0-0. 18 minutes in however the breakthrough came, as the visitors got forward a free kick in the centre of goal was awarded. Grant stepped up and put a beautiful left footed shot in off the bar. a decent strike to put the BU into the lead. Inverkeithing 0 - 1 BU. The home side tried to get back in the game and did beat the visiting defence but newly signed goal keeper Henderson made an excellent. Back up the other end and it was 2-0 BU, Jacobs done well to win the ball back and a defensive mix up from the home side down the right. He played a ball up the line to Grant who came inside to the forever energetic and very handsome Morgan who put a teasing cross in for Mooney who managed to scramble it home. Swifts 0 - 2 BU. As the home side came forward hunter down really well to read the situation and calmly clear. Straight away at the other end Mooney had a shot saved by the home keeper. In a half mostly controlled by the visitors the only other chance the home side had was a ball into the box from a free kick that was easily held by the BU keeper. Good link up play for the visitors saw Mooney with another effort saved this time a low drive from the right. As the half ended however the home side did come back into the game slightly and had 1 clear cut chances with a cute back heel splitting the BU defence open the final shot however shot have been better.

Half time Swifts 0 - 2 BU.

Into the 2nd half and it was just as the 1st had ended with the home side spurning a great opportunity. The visitors rode it out however and came close soon after with a curled shot just over the bar from outside the box. A header down inside the box found Mooney who shot over the bar not troubling the home keeper. The home side got forward and won a corner which was well cleared. 18 minutes into the half and BU gaffer Max Christie made a change as Henderson was replaced by McKenzie. Good play from the visitors saw the home defence clearing the ball but only as far as Jacobs who curled it back in fixing the home keeper into punching the ball clear. More good play from the BU saw a chance again this time Stevenson was unlucky as the ball went off target. Swifts then got back into the game 20 minute into the half as the broke forward quickly and a through ball left a simple finish to make it Swifts 1 - 2 BU. The game was now looking to become a bit of a scrappy affair and BU gaffer Max Christie made a 2nd change as Mooney came off for Gemmell. A corner was swung in for the BU and a header off target didn’t trouble the home side. Gemmil just on pitch was then shown a yellow card for a tackle near the half way line as the game now entered the final 15 minutes. Gemmell soon sent a free kick forward and Grant could have headed it but instead tried to kick it and got very little on what was a good chance. Jacobs then showed great vision with a pass forward but unfortunately no chance on goal followed. The home side were almost gifted an equaliser as BU keeper Adamson came way out of his box for a ball that looked to be out of his reach and as the home sore got to it a square pass was mis places denying the home side a shot at a keeper less net. Forward came the visitors and an alert home keeper done well getting off his line to block before a shot could be had on goal.
Into the final minutes and forward came the home side in what was still an very scrappy affair with no team really playing great. A corner was swung in but it was over the heads over everyone and out for a goal kick. At the other end the BU had a corner which saw a shot cleared well. The home keeper made a good save from a low shot before the home side countered quickly but no threat came near the BU goal. The home side had a cross cleared and it looked like a possible long range opportunity with the keeper off his line however a pass was opted for followed by a free kick award to the visitors. The home keeper gathered the ball and as he kicked it out the referee ended the match.