Rangers B 2-0 Bo'ness United

Thanks to BRYAN COPELAND for submitting a fanview report for today's game!

As I said in a previous friendly report it’s been a rebuilding task for BU Gaffer Max Christie with several players retiring, all who must be acknowledged for their commitment and service to the club over the years, and as normal there’s been players came in as players left.
Due to friendlies being cancelled last minute the BU may not have played as many games pre season as they would like, but the ones that have been played have certainly helped to get the squad together and players game time and fitness levels up. There have been tests against East Fife U20 (behind closed doors bounce match), Stirling Albion which gave fans a return to Newtown Park followed by games at home to Tranent, and an away trip to local rivals Linlithgow Rose all of which will have helped manager Max Christie decide on what players to keep what players to move on and what trialists to sign.
For today’s game it is a bit of unknown as it’s a new team in the league up first but I’m sure Max and his back room staff will have firm their homework and will know about this Rangers B team and how they play and with it being the opening game of the season and fans allowed in I’m sure both sets of players will be up for the match and looking forward to it.
For those who didn’t know Rangers B play at Dumbarton so for the fans it’s a scenic setting with the Rock rising above the stadium giving Dumbarton their name as Sons of the Rock. For today however I’m sure the visitors will want their defence solid as a rock and the forwards shooting rock solid into the net to get a good start to the league campaign.
Games come thick and fast to begin with as after today it’s home ties on Wednesday & Saturday with away trips the following mid week and weekend to Gala Fairydean Rovers & Dalbeattie Star then Edinburgh University & Vale of Leithen. These four games are followed by a free midweek before the other side of the Old Firm Celtic B visit Newtown park on Saturday 7th August. For now however the focus is here at Dumbarton.

Into the game then and the home side got us underway. For the visitors a lovely ball down the right channel from Miller found Locke who put a decent cross in that Rangers had to clear, as the did it fell to Miller on the edge of the area who’s shot went wide of the keepers left hand post. Another couple of crosses were giving the visitors hope while at the other end Murphy got down to make a routine save. 11 minutes in and the opening goal looked certain as Rangers played a ball forward beating the offside trap, as the visitors claimed the offside the ball fell nicely at around 12 yards ready to be hit somehow when it was it was put over the bar. Macauley then done really well to win the ball in midfield and skipped another tackle before putting a cross on in that had the Rangers keeper off his line quickly to collect. Skinner was making some decent long passes both straight and diagonal that Locke them Stevenson were very unlucky not to get on the end of and as the game reached the 20 minute mark the score remained 0-0. Forward came Rangers and as they cut inside from the left some good one touch passing in the box carved out a shooting chance which went narrowly wide of the target. Rangers got forward again down the left and only a brilliant Gemmell interception on the edge of the box stopped the attack, the ball got played back to Murphy in the BU who put the pressure right back on his side with a poor pass straight to Rangers just outside the box, a freekick was awarded as the referee judged there to be a foul. Rangers had a direct hit but the wall did it’s job standing firm and blocking the ball. The home side broke forward once again this time getting a shot from the edge of the box, it was however well high and wide and drifted out of the stadium fence. At the other end down went Miller not far outside the box and was awarded a free kick. Galbraith stood over it and hit a very good effort not far wide of the keepers post. Once again the visitors were getting forward and a well delivered corner was headed towards goal only to be blocked and as it fell to Rangers a long ball had them in with a chance of a counter attack good defending between McCormack and Murphy cleared the danger however.

Half time Rangers B 0 - 0 Bo’ness United.

Into the second half and the home side came close with an effort not far past the post while down good passing carved out an opportunity for Bo’ness at the other end. Approaching 10 minutes into the half and Rangers came very close only a very good save from Murphy kept the score at 0-0. McCormack went down in the box before a Rangers corner and after receiving treatment form the physio had to go off being replaced by Hawkins. The first bookings of the match came but not for any player on the pitch it was Bo’ness manager Max Christie after contesting a decision to award Rangers a free kick not far from his dugout. The free kick was floated over the box and a routine save for Andy Murphy. The home side were putting a bit of pressure on as again good defending followed by a Murphy save kept the score level as the game approached 65 mins. BU Gaffer Christie made his 2nd change change as MacAuley was taken off for Kieran Anderson. Then we got the opening goal, Tony Weston broke through for Rangers and 1 on 1 with Murphy the ball was calmly slotted low into the bottom corner of the net. Rangers 1 - 0 BU 68 mins played. Murphy was busy in the BU goal once again as the home side cut inside the box from the left after a good cross field ball the shot was well struck and heading for the top corner when Murphy got a good hand to it. Nick Locke gave the visitors a breather with a good run up the left wing and minutes later on the other wing the ball should have been crossed into the box but it was instead lost and the opportunity gone. Into the final few minutes and the visitors were looking for the equaliser good play on the right ended with a good Rangers tackle dropping a cross into end box but soon the ball was picked up by Anderson who linked up well and a good ball was whipped over the 6 yard area, unfortunately the only man on the end of it was a Rangers defender who cleared it out, Locke tried to pick it up and keep the pressure on but it was just too far for him. The visitors fate was sealed on 90 minutes when Rangers broke forward and although Murphy was quick off his line to make a good save the ball broke unfairly against him and left an open goal which Robbie Ure made no mistake on slotting away.

Full time Rangers B 2 - 0 Bo’ness United.