Bo'ness United 1-2 Gala Fairydean Rovers

A fans view report from the United Club's BRYAN COPELAND!

A lot has happened since the last match report. With no fans allowed in this is the first chance at one in a while. Since the last report, which was a win at home to Burntisland Shipyard in the Challenge Cup, there’s been a defeat away to Stirling Uni in the league, a postponed trip to Gretna in the league, a free week, a postponed trip to Coldstream followed by a midweek trip to Coldstream where the BU claimed a 2-0 victory to set up a Scottish Cup 1st round cracker at Bonnyrigg. A game many may have thought would be picked for TV by the BBC but instead they have chosen Dundonald Bluebell against Queens Park.

Onto today’s game now and it’s a fair journey the visitors have made for what will be another tough encounter in a very tight and challenging league.
The home side got us underway attacking the goal toward the Kinneil School end of the ground. Stevenson had an early effort to almost give the home side a dream start. At the other end there was an early corner for the visitors that saw the BU defence clear easily. In all honesty the next 10 minutes gave neither keeper anything to do with both sides having possession but doing very little with it.
Gemmell was brought down giving the home side a free kick on the left which was sent into the box and cleared. A further 10 minutes passed taking us to mid way through the half and still neither keeper had any work to do. A direct hit from a free kick on the left edge of the box from Gala went closer to the wall around the park than the goal as it sailed well over the bar. A good run down the left from the home side saw a decent low cross into the visitors box but it was cleared by the defence causing no trouble to the visiting keeper. More good passing from the home side through the middle allowed a diagonal ball to be played out wide and a well timed cross gave the visiting keeper work to do as he came off his line to claim the ball. At the other end a corner from the visitors was headed clear to the edge of the box where it was picked up and sent goalward but in the end an easy save for Murphy in the BU goal.
The opening goal came from a free kick on the left for the home side. The initial cross was cleared but not far enough and as the ball came back over from Locke, Zander Miler was on hand with a good header past the stranded visiting keeper. BU 1 - 0 Gala.
The visitors had another long range effort again over the bar before having to clear away a BU corner. On the counter the visitors got up the left and as the home side won the ball back it was given away again and a low cross rolled across the box and past the post almost going in the back of the net.
Five minutes of the half to go and a tackle on the edge of the box saw the ball break free for the home side and a shot towards goal was saved by the Gala keeper. The home side had a corner headed clear just before half time and as it was played back in good defending from the visitors prevented a shot on goal from close range. The final action of the half was a long ball down the left and a cross rolled into the box followed by a shot well wide of the post.

Half time BU 1 - 0 Gala.

Into the 2nd half and the visitors got us underway. The opening 10 - 15 mins saw both sides enjoy possession but none of the 2 keepers have anything to do. A BU corner led to a header off target and a goal kick for the visitors. On 20 mins the match was level as the visitors found an equaliser on the counter attack as they got the ball forward and into the box quickly. BU 1 - 1 Gala. The home side tried to get back in front quickly as they had a good spell of possession with good play down the left leading to a ball played across the edge of the box however before even getting a shot away the ball was won by the gala defence. On the counter attack Murphy had to be alert and was almost at full stretch to deal with a dangerous cross into the box that looked to be heading goal wards.
34 minutes into the half and BU manager Max Christie made a change with Kyle bell replacing Tom Grant. The home side then had a low cross smothered by the Gala keeper. Minutes later the visitors turned the match around by going in front after being behind. A brilliantly taken free kick from all of 25 yards was sent spectacularly into the top corner leaving the defence and Murphy stranded although to be fair the quality on it would have done the same to any defence or keeper.
The home side had a corner that was well taken into a dangerous area in the centre of the 6 yard box but the referee awarded a free kick to the visitors. The final 5 minutes of the match saw good possession from the BU as they tried to find an equaliser but unfortunately did not work the visiting keeper at all leaving the visitors to make the long journey home with 3 points.

Full time Bo’ness United 1 - 2 Gala Fairydean Rovers.

Next up for the BU is an away Scottish cup round 1 tie at Bonnyrigg on Boxing Day.
I will sign off from the match reports so far this season by wishing everyone a Safe & Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.