Linlithgow 1-0 Bo'ness United

Fanview report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

Match Report
Friendly
Linlithgow Rose v Bo’ness United
Prestonfield Park
Sat 10/07/21 KO 14:30

The last planned friendly before the season gets underway next weekend sees an old rivalry reunited with this local derby against The Rose.

The last time the sides met was at Newtown Park last year with the home side winning 2-1 just after the new year.
Both squads have changed since then and I’m sure we will be in for a decent game in decent weather and good run out for both sides.

Into the 1st half and the visitors attaching the goal away from the social club end had a decent ball curled into the box from the right hand side, the resulting header went wide of the post. Play was stopped while Galbraith (Trialist) received attention from the BU physio and a from the resulting free kick a decent ball was put in the Rose box as it was cleared it looked to be rolling perfectly to Locke for a shot from outside the box but instead he took a touch and went out wide meaning his shot on goal was from an angle and easily dealt with by the home keeper. At the other end the Rose worked the play to get a corner down the left and Galbraith who had received medical attention was taken off replaced by Herron. The corner was dealt with by the visitors and up at the other end they soon had a. Irene of their own. A good ball came across the box and an ideal opportunity to get the lead was squandered as the home keeper got down to save. As the home side burst into the box appeals for a penalty were shouted but waved away by the referee and the quick break from the visitors was broken up just past the half way line. A free kick on 28 minutes gave the home side a direct shot a goal and it was very well stuck beating the defensive wall and BU keeper Murphy only for the cross bar to come to the visitors rescue as the ball crashed back off it. With the home side putting a bit of pressure on the BU defence was beat but Andy Murphy saved the day getting out quick and knocking the ball away from the feet of the advancing player he was quickly on his feet to make another really good save low to his right. A ball was rolled across the box from the left but no one was there to tap it in for the visitors and at the other end a good run was ended by a good tackle just inside the box before the home side could get a shot at goal. Bo’ness tried to get forward again but the offside flag beat them on this occasion. At the opposite end too much room was allowed for a shot and Murphy was again called into action to make the save.

Half time Linlithgow Rose 0 - 0 Bo’ness United.

Into the 2nd half and before we go underway a change for the BU saw Cunningham replaced by McKenzie. The visitors started brightly winning a couple of free kicks trying to come forward. A 3rd free kick gave a shooting opportunity and it was well hit low with curl bending towards the far post only a good stop from the home keeper keeping it from the bottom corner of the net. Another change from BU manager Max Christie this time a double as Gemmell and Stevenson made way for Trialist C and Comrie. The visitors were having the best of it this half and another dangerous ball was played over the box followed by another substitution as McMullan replaced Grant. As space opened up a shot from distance went over the home keepers bar as the visitors still tried to keep pressure on with the good spell they were having. Just minute later and the breakthrough came but it was at the other end for the home side a shot into the top corner beating the visitords defence and keeper. Linlithgow 1 - 0 BU. The home side soon created another chance this time Murphy saved from a header after a cross from right sending the ball for a corner. The visitors were looking for an equaliser and only good defending cleared a low ball from the left and again the defenders were called on as the clearance was sent back towards the penalty area once again. Locke done really well down the right only to be fouled before he could get a cross into the box but the resulting free kick was swung in really well and although it was headed away Hunter was at the other side ready to send the ball back into the danger area before it was finally cleared well up towards the half way line as the the game now entered the final 10 minutes. A brilliant cross field ball found Locke but his touch took the ball too far away as he cut into the box and it was an easy save for the home keeper. Almost a 2nd for the home side with 3 minutes to go as a quick break saw a long ball played forward, out rushed Murphy to make a save but the ball was hit against him and broke kindly for looked like an easy opportunity to roll the ball into the net fortunately for the visitors some last ditch defending clearing the ball off the line came to the rescue. At the other end a really good cross was well dealt with by the time keeper rising well to clutch it however elbowing his own defender in the process. Thankfully everyone got up ok and right on time a final chance for the visitors to dead level a free kick out on the left was delivered fantastically across the 6 yard box only for Skinner to head over from 4 yards when it looked easier to score. The home keeper took his time over the goal kick and as he cleared that was to be the final action.

Linlithgow Rose 1 - 0 Bo’ness United.