Edinburgh University 0-4 Bo'ness United

Three wins from three for Bo’ness United in their debut season in the Lowland League although for they never had it all their own way against an organised and energetic Edinburgh University side. For the second game in succession Bo’ness shrugged off a poor first half display to earn all three points and their experience shone through in the end.

The home side were lively in the opening stages as they took the game to their opponents. Bo’ness defender Devon Jacobs was well positioned to hack the ball clear off the line after a corner kick wasn’t cleared leading to a strike on goal. Although the student’s looked the likelier to score, they struggled to properly test Bo’ness keeper Andy Murphy. Bo’ness themselves were struggling to find fluency in their game and were restricted to the odd pot-shot at goal from distance. The visitors were fortunate not to go a goal behind in the 32nd minute when the goalframe came to the rescue, Patrick Baird picked up a loose ball 20 yards from goal and unleashed a dipping shot which beat Murphy all ends up only to cannon off the bar and away to safety. A big let-off. With the interval 90 seconds away Bo’ness took the lead, a goal which swung the momentum of the game in their favour. Ryan Stevenson swung over a lovely free-kick which the trialist defender met well, the ball crashed off the crossbar, appeared to bounce over the goal-line and back up into the arms of the goalkeeper. Play continued for a few seconds before the linesman flagged the referee over and after a brief discussion the goal was awarded, much to the fury of the students.

In the 56th minute Edinburgh were close to levelling the match when a good passing move ended up with Louis Maurice picking the ball up at the edge of the box, his fierce drive was finding the top corner but for a fine tip over from Murphy. On the hour mark though the visitors extended their lead when half-time substitute Zander Miller finished off a flowing move from close range, converting Nicky Locke’s low cross. Chances at both ends five minutes later, firstly the home side after left-back Max Condie dribbled well into the box, laid it on a plate to Patrick Baird who fluffed his lines and rolled it into the grateful hands of Murphy; the BU’s immediately broke up the park themselves and goalkeeper Connor Barnes was at full stretch to tip a Stevenson drive around the post. In the 73rd minute Bo’ness ensured victory when they grabbed their third goal, Locke outmuscled his marker on the right win and his teasing left foot cross was accurately headed past Barnes by United captain Chris Donnelly. The student’s heads didn’t go down and they were denied a consolation goal thanks to a brilliant goal-line clearance from Stuart McFarlane who cleared Isaac Bonisteel’s effort away after the substitute was played in by a lovely Baird pass. Miller grabbed his second goal of the game to complete the scoring with ten minutes remaining, tapping in McFarlane’s low cross with a real poachers finish.

A good away win for United however the home side will rue not making more of their chances when they were on top in the opening period.