Bo'ness United 1-2 Dalbeattie Star

Fanview report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

Match Report
Lowland League Match Day 3
Bo’ness United v Dalbeattie Star
Saturday 24/07/21 KO 15:00
Newtown Park, Bo’ness.

Two matches back into competitive action for Bo’ness have seen us pick up one point, suffering defeat at the hands of Rangers away last weekend and getting a point at home against Gala Fairydean midweek. The games still come in thick and fast with today’s match followed by another midweek fixture before next weekends game against Vale of Leithen.
The new squad Max Christie has built are training well and there’s positives to take from the opening 2 games next up will be a win and 3 points to really get us motoring on.
Todays match I’m sure won’t be easy as the visitors will be looking to take something away from the game having won their opening two fixtures of the season and I’m sure they will arrive well organised.
The next two matches after this for the home side are away to Edinburgh University and Vale of Leithen.
On another decent day weather wise and fans allowed in let’s hope for a good encounter and of course from my point of view a home win although I do make my reports unbiased and try to be as fair as possible.

1st half and the visitors got us underway attacking the goal towards Kinneil School in glorious sunshine. The 1st chance of the game fell to the home side as Grant curled a free kick into the box, the header was initially won just inside but on the 2nd ball Dalbeattie cleared. A good quick move from back to front starting with a run towards the centre circle with a excellent ball played out to the right from there towards Miller, he controlled it well and cut inside but the shot was blocked. Quickly to the other end and Murphy was called into action making a decent save after a cross from the right. Once again Dalbeattie came forward this time a long ball but their forward had taken off just too soon and up went the flag for offside. A ball low out to the right saw the visitors cross but calm defending cleared the danger and the home side started to move the ball out from the back. Just before the half way line they got caught in possession but again offside was ruled as the ball came forward. The 1st booking of the game came on 22 minutes when Flynn was harshly brought down by Number 4 from Dalbeattie not far outside the Bo’ness box. A quick run from the Number 9 got him a shot on goal from outside the box but it was wide of the far post. Locke played a neat back heel on the left to allow a cross into the box which Flynn rose and headed towards goal but it was off target and the score remained 0-0 at the half hour mark. The visitors appealed hand ball as a cross into the box was blocked but they were quickly waved away by the referee then as the ball broke out Miller done well keeping his feet and playing a pass out wide, he continued his run and picked the ball up again winning it back almost on the goal line out on the right hand side with his efforts eventually resulting in a corner. Over it came and headed at the back post was on target but easy for the Dalbeattie keeper. At the other end a glaring opportunity was missed as the ball came across the box it was easier to score than miss but somehow the shot was so poor Murphy managed to get down and gather the ball on the line. A free kick gave the home side another chance to get into the box but the delivery in was straight to the keeper and easily caught. With it already looking like the gaffer could have some harsh words for his BU team at half time things got worse on 43 minutes when the visitors delivered a corner into the box, while the home side stood and watched a free header was put beyond Murphy and into the net. BU 0 - 1 Dalbeattie star. From the kick off the home side tried to respond and a decent shot was blocked then gathered at the 2nd attempt by the keeper. Again a quick break caught out the BU on the far side this time Murphy was out off his line to clear. Into added time and a free kick allowed a final opportunity to get the ball into box for the same side. Stevenson took it but once again it was a poor delivery this time missing everyone and away for a goal kick. The goal kick was the final action of the half.

Bo’ness United 0 - 1 Dalbeattie Star, half time.

Into the 2nd half and the home side broke down the left however the cross was blocked and the ball cleared. Stevenson then got up the right wing and his cross which looked to be poor and heading straight for the keeper looped over him with only the cross bar stopping the ball landing in the net, taking no chances Dalbeattie put the ball out for a corner. Before it was taken the visitors made the 1st substitution of the game and unfortunately for the home side the stoppage wasn’t worth the wait as the corner was very poorly delivered. Another poor tackle and foul could have brought the home side another free kick but the referee correctly played advantage and when the ball went out for a corner went back to issue another booking to the visitors who certainly weren’t shy of laying the boots into the home players. A great ball forward put the BU in on goal only for the linesman to incorrectly raise his flag for offside, much to the dismay and disapproval of players and fans alike. Down at end other end and absolute shock ensued when there was a scramble inside the box and suddenly the referee blew and pointed to the spot awarding a penalty. BU players and fans were left astounded as to why with the decision appearing to be given for hand ball. After all the appeals were waved away Number 10 placed the ball and stepped up, the ball was struck well but Murphy in the BU goal was equal to it and made a brilliant save to ensure justice was done. At the other end all the home side could manage to try and equalise was a shot from distance that was well wide on what was becoming a very frustrating day for the home side and fans watching a poor performance at home so far. Once again the yellow card was out for Dalbeattie however as another hammering late tackle flew in this time on the half way line. Thinking the penalty save may energise the home side back into things it certainly didn’t look like it and the only thing of note in the next 5-10 minutes was the visitors making their 2nd change. Eventually BU gaffer Max Christie went to his bench as Locke was replaced by Anderson with 22 minutes left on the clock. A good ball set Stevenson off down the right and his blocked cross earner a corner. In it came but the Star keeper was out clutching the ball before a shot or header got near his goal line. 14 to play and a 2nd home change saw McKenzie replace Flynn. Another chance for the visitors came and went as a free header from a left side cross was put over the bar. 11 to go and hope for the home side, ball up the left was put over and the visiti8 keeper got down and got a hand to it but it broke kindly to McMullan who slotted it into the net. BU 1 - 1 Dalbeattie star. The aforementioned hope lasted a couple of minutes as the the home defence left themselves wide open and an easy opportunity was very easily converted. BU 1 - 2 Dalbeattie star. Only a few minutes left and Star made their 3rd change after a simple pass saw the home side put the ball out of play trying to complete it. A corner came over low from the far side but the visitors easily picked it up and ran it out the box. And with the home side pushed forward once again the back was exposed this time only the side netting stopping the visitors scoring again. It was almost a recurring point for the home side as Stevenson knocked the ball down on the edge of the box and as space opened up a good shot brought the keeper into action making a good save with the follow up shot blocked by the defence. Last chance for the home side was a corner on the far side but once again it was a very poor delivery right out for a goal kick.
Full time Bo’ness United 1 -2 Dalbeattie Star. A disappointing day for the home side as they now have 2 defeats and a draw giving us only 1 point from the opening 3 games, while the visitors continue their run now winning 3 from 3 and on a maximum 9 points.
Next up is a Tuesday night trip to Edinburgh University.