Match Preview 2020 2021 written by JOHN SPOWART!

Burntisland Shipyard, Soccer Shop South of Scotland Challenge Cup Round 2, Newtown Park, Saturday 21 November 2020

Bo’ness United take a break from their Lowland League programme to entertain Burntisland Shipyard in round 2 of the Soccer Shop South of Scotland Challenge Cup. Burntisland are currently sitting tenth from fifteen in Conference B of the East of Scotland League. They lost their first two league games verses Newburgh Juniors and at Oakley United but have since won at home to Peebles Rovers and Lochore Welfare, sandwiching a draw at Lochgelly Albert. Burntisland Shipyard have been around since the early part of the twentieth century playing mostly in Fife until they joined the East of Scotland League in 2011.

The clubs shared a place in Conference B during Bo’ness’s first season as an East of Scotland side, the BUs winning maximum points in their two meetings. The first game was early in the campaign at Recreation Park where Brian Morgan, Ali El-Zubaidi and Kieran Sweeney scored the goals to give the BUs the win. Burntisland enjoyed good spells, creating chances that could have inflicted some pain but thankfully Bo’ness were not the only team to waste opportunities. Over the piece though the BUs were the better team and fully merited the win. The return match at Newtown saw a more comprehensive victory for Bo’ness. Allan MacKenzie scored a hat trick with singles from Brian Morgan and Ryan Stevenson, and although Andrew Watt got one back for the visitors just before the end, there was time left for Marty Wright to seal the win for Bo’ness.

This is Bo’ness’s third tilt at this tournament having experienced two tough draws the first two years. First time round they lost out at East Kilbride and last season they were narrowly defeated by BSC Glasgow at the BUs temporary home, Carmuirs Park. The draw looks to be kinder this season but Bo’ness are taking nothing for granted as they prepare to meet the Fife side.

Last weekend Bo’ness gained a hard-earned point at current Lowland League leaders East Kilbride. Zander Miller struck early for Bo’ness but East Kilbride equalised before the break through Craig Malcolm. There was no further scoring and Bo’ness maintain their undefeated record and third spot in the table. The match BU line up featured two loan signings Daniel MacKenzie and Bryan Wharton both coming in from Pollok who have chosen to sit this season out. The players slotted into the defence to keep the talented East Kilbride team at bay

Unfortunately once again no fans are allowed in the ground but thankfully the BU Faithful will be able to watch from the comfort of their home, the game being filmed by Sanctus Media, access to the live stream via Fanbase at www.fanbaseclub.com. Tickets are purchased through the site, where registration is required, and the link to watch the match is emailed prior to kick off. The advice is to buy your ticket early to receive your link in ample time. The coverage provided by Sanctus Media is excellent with the use of multi cameras following the action completely.

Bo’ness have now played eight very difficult matches and despite being from a lower league Burntisland will be tough opponents looking to pounce on any BU complacency. The Soccer Shop South of Scotland Challenge Cup is a prestigious tournament and Bo’ness know they must work hard to progress.

John Spowart
19 November 2020