Match Preview

Match preview submitted by JOHN SPOWART!

Bo’ness United have little time to ponder their surprise home league reversal to Whitehill Welfare as they face a most difficult Football Nation Cup tie against Bonnyrigg Rose. This is the fourth attempt to get this game played, one frozen and two waterlogged pitches resulting in postponements of the previous dates.

Bonnyrigg trail current Lowland League leaders Kelty Hearts although can catch them with their two games in hand. They were back in league business on Saturday with a narrow win at Dalbeattie Star following the end of an eventful Scottish Cup run, only losing narrowly to League One side Clyde last week.

Bo’ness met Bonnyrigg on four occasions last season and it was all square with a league and cup win each. Bonnyrigg triumphed at Newtown Park in November, a Keiran McGachie hat trick and a Dean Hoskins strike too good for a single BU penalty conversion from Andy Shirra. In the return fixture the BUs inflicted what was Bonnyrigg’s only defeat in the league that season. Bo’ness were two up at half time thanks to Brian Morgan and Stuart Hunter. Keith Lough pulled one back for the home side but Marty Wright sealed the BU win just before the end.

In the League Cup semi-final at Carmuirs Park, the BU temporary home at the time, Aaron Morrell’s strike for Bonnyrigg just after the break was cancelled out by Brian Morgan before the end. No goals in extra time meant a penalty shootout and Michael Gemmell put away the decisive kick that put Bo’ness through to the final where they beat Musselburgh Athletic at Penicuik to win the trophy. In what proved to be Bo’ness’s last match of the season, Bo’ness were soundly beaten in the King Cup at New Dundas. Bonnyrigg were two up through Keith Lough and Ewan Moyes but Allan MacKenzie pulled one back for the BUs just before half time. Bonnyrigg dominated after the break, Alan Horne and Louis Swanson both scoring before Keith Lough finished things off in the final minutes. The sides met in a preseason friendly but there were no goals in a tough encounter to prepare for the campaign ahead.

Bo’ness reached this stage of the Football Nation Cup beating Oakley at Carmuirs Park but only after Stuart Love gave the Fife side a half time lead. Chris Donnelly equalised right after the break but an unfortunate Ross Campbell/Andy Murphy own goal put the visitors ahead once more. However, 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 even though the final score flattered the BUs. In the next round Bo’ness got off to a good start at Inverkeithing with a Thomas Grant free kick strike, his first for the club, and a goal from Mark Mooney. Inverkeithing pulled one back in the second half through Callum Strang and, but for some poor finishing, Swifts might have taken this game to extra time, or better. Bonnyrigg got here winning at University of Stirling in the last round having received a bye in round one.

This is clearly be a tough game for Bo’ness but will provide an opportunity to test themselves against a top team. A Tuesday evening game is sure to affect the number of the BU Faithful able to travel to Mid Lothian but those who are there will make their presence felt as they support the players in their efforts to progress in this competition.

John Spowart
26 January 2020