Bo'ness United 2-0 Caledonian Braves

Bo'ness United maintained their winning start to life in the Lowland League with a battling home win against the Caledonian Braves, however the Braves will have left Newtown Park wondering how they never left with at least a point after poor finishing and an inspired goalkeeping performance from Andy Murphy kept them at bay.

Max Christie had to make changes once again in his back line after Ross Campbell was unable to take his usual place at centre back, Stuart McFarlane moved into the centre with Chris Donnelly starting at right back.

The Braves started well and had the ball in the net within ten minutes when Smith converted a low Walker cross. Unfortunately for the visitors the assistant referee flagged Winters offside who was standing in front of Murphy, a huge let off for the BU's. The away side were lively and Smith had another effort from a good position drift wide, while at the other end of the park it was Ryan Stevenson who looked likeliest to score for United, the fullback with a couple of strikes from outside the box but neither seriously threatened Marshall in goal for the Braves.

An exciting second half started with Stevenson driving his way into the box, his near post shot was cleared and the danger averted. The visitors took control after this and had three good chances in five minutes. McDowall really should have found the net with a free header from Walker's cross, and Murphy had to stop a Guthrie strike after patient build up play between Reid and Winters set up a shooting opportunity. The best save of them all came after a swift counter attack saw Smith through one on one with Murphy, the ever reliable goalie made a superb stop with his legs and the game remained goalless. United looked certain to open the scoring in the 58th minute when Zander Miller raced clear on the right, he cut into the box and squared it to Brian Ritchie who was thwarted by a good block from a Braves defender. Two minutes later Murphy made another great save to deny Smith from close range after the forward got on the end of Walker's dangerous near post cross.

Just when it looked like a Braves goal was inevitable it was the home side that took the lead in the 65th minute. Donnelly released Nicky Locke on the right and his driven cross from the byline was met by a diving header from substitute CRAIG COMRIE who found the net on his first appearance of the season, he had only been on the park for two minutes after replacing Ritchie. There were claims from a couple of the Braves defenders that Comrie used his hand to knock it past Marshall but the officials gave the goal, perhaps one that the video recordings may clear up! The Braves fought back and the talented substitute Bouchentouf was proving to be a handful with his direct dribbling. He evaded desperate BU challenges to dribble into the box in the 71st minute, Donnelly was on hand to make a good block to clear his goal bound effort. Walker was next to try his luck for the away side and his powerful drive from distance found the side netting. With 8 minutes remaining United doubled their advantage from the penalty spot after Locke robbed Bouchentouf and hared into the penalty area only to be brought down by the same player as he was about to pull the trigger. Up stepped RYAN STEVENSON to cooly send Marshall the wrong way and find the net. United saw the game out well from this point to claim a valuable win.

Here is the United Club's very own BRYAN COPELAND with the fan view!

Match Report
Lowland League Match day 4
Bo’ness United v Caledonian Braves
Newtown Park, Bo’ness
Sat 24/10/20 KO. 15:00

With fans still not allowed in to games and no live stream available there was no report from match day 3 but what can be reported is that it was another brilliant win for the BU to continue the excellent start to the league campaign.
From reading local media it appears manager Max Christie is in a good place with his squad having players return from injury and available f or selection and making signings to give more strength and depth to the team.
This season was always going to be an exciting adventure having gained promotion it’s just a shame that the fans can’t get along and cheer the team on however the job the club has done to allow the fans a chance to watch the game is brilliant and credit where it is due the streams have been good quality it’s just a shame the club are not allowed to stream from away venues and we have to depend on the other team doing it or miss out.
Onto today’s game then and Caledonian Braves formerly knows as Edusport Academy are an established lowland league side which could put the BU in for a tough afternoon. Confidence and belief however will be high amongst the squad and management team and I’m sure everyone will be looking to build on the perfect start and keep the run going.

BU Team :
Gk : Murphy. Jacobs, Trialist, Stevenson, Gemmell, Miller, Locke, Ritchie, Grant, McFarlane, Donnelly (C).
Subs : Adamson (Gk) Comrie, Snowdon, Anderson, Bell.

The 1st half got underway with the visitors as the BU went for the goal towards fisons. The opening 5 minutes saw a couple of crosses from the Braves but nothing really to trouble the BU defence. On 7 minutes good play almost gave the visitors the breakthrough a quick ball down the left led to a decent low cross right across goal and a shot ended up low past Murphy into the BU net. The home side however were saved by the linesman in the far side raising his flag for offside. Soon after the visitors had a free kick on half way that was hit long towards the box but easily headed away.
It took the opening 10 minutes but the home side started to come into the game quick play forward saw a shot from the edge of the box blocked then Donnelly went on a short run through the middle but was dispossessed just before he could play a through ball. Grant played a free kick in from the right but the ball missed everyone and went out for a goal kick. Just before the half hour the BU defence had another cross to clear from the box but again it was dealt with easily. A free kick on half way allowed the home side a chance to get the ball forward but the visitors cleared away any danger before the ball made it to the box. A low ball into the box was cleared by the home side and a following ball up the right from the visitors saw the flag go up for offside with just 2 minutes now of the half remaining.
With very little time added on the half was brought to an end
Bo’ness 0 - 0 Caledonian Braves.

Into the 2nd half and the home side got the game back underway with no changes made at half time. Stevenson curled a free kick into the box that was headed clear by the Braves defence in a quiet opening 12 minutes with none of the 2 keepers having a save to make. A long throw down the line from Donnelly was hit clear from the edge of the box. 15 minutes into the half and the opening goal came. Craig Comrie only on the park with the finish to put the home side 1-0 up. After the visitors got the game restarted good play by Locke for the BU saw a free kick awarded in the edge of the box. The goal brought a confidence to the home side as Tom Grant picked up the ball in his own half and made a good run up the park. A cross from the visitors was over hit and well out of play. Nicky Locke again done really well braking into the visitors box and was brought down resulting in a penalty. Ryan Stevenson stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past the visiting keeper to make it BU 2 - 0 Braves with 9 minutes remaining. 4 minutes remaining and Jacobs hit a great long ball forward to Locke who had a decent low strike on target stopped by the keeper who got down quickly to make the save.
A delay with a Braves player right on the 90 minutes saw play stopped with the visitors awarded a free kick. The ball was hit from the free kick but the BU wall stood firm and blocked it. Nicky Locke burst forward with a great run up the left before cutting inside and stinging the gloves of the keeper with a good shot, the rebound was picked up and sent back towards goal but blocked before the referee blew for full time.
Another great result for the BU and the 100% start to the league season continues.
Full time Bo’ness 2 - 0 Caledonian Braves.

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