Match preview submitted by JOHN SPOWART!

Match Preview 2020 2021

Edinburgh University, Lowland League, East Peffermill, Saturday 17 October 2020

Bo’ness United are on the road this weekend as they visit Edinburgh University, one of the two university teams playing in the Lowland League.

The Edinburgh students are well established in senior football having been in existence since 1878 and members of the SFA all that time. Long-time part of the East of Scotland League, Edinburgh entered the Lowland League in its second season. They finished near the bottom of the table in last season’s curtailed programme with five games to play, their final match a home draw versus East Kilbride. They have made a poor start to this season, losing heavily at Kelty Hearts in the first game and in midweek were defeated at home to East Stirlingshire. They hope to avoid another loss so early in the campaign.

Bo’ness have made an impressive opening to their inaugural Lowland League campaign, beating both Cumbernauld Colts and Vale of Leithen at home. Thomas Grant and Kieran Anderson were on target in the narrow best of three win against Cumbernauld and Nicky Locke (2), Ross Campbell and Kyle Bell were the scorers in the four without reply second game.

The BUs started the season having to field a trialist in both games such is the seriousness of the injury list. Ryan Stevenson was also suspended for the first match and the club had lost the services of no less than five players from the end of last season. Mark McKenzie, Brian Morgan and Fraser Keast have all gone elsewhere, Keasty being the latest, moving on to Armadale Thistle. Graeme MacGregor and Kris Faulds are both unavailable for the foreseeable future. Coming in, Stuart MacFarlane, a former Edinburgh University player, started against Cumbernauld, having signed the day before, and will surely relish the quick return to East Peffermill, albeit as a visitor. Kyle Bell has also signed on loan from East Fife making a scoring debut against Vale of Leithen. No doubt BU boss Max Christie will want to further add to his squad as well as seeing the existing players free from injury.

The BU Faithful, once again, are unable to attend, and this game will not be available to view. The fans have enjoyed the live streaming of the two home matches but long to be able to stand on the terracing to give the players the vocal support they thrive on. In saying that, Bo’ness are determined to maintain the good start to their season and this is another difficult challenge, but one the players are up for.

John Spowart
15 October 2020