Edinburgh University 1-6 Bo'ness United

'Fanview' report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

The first of two consecutive away trips east for the BU's starts with tonight’s match and with both sides yet to register a win this campaign and sitting on the the same points with 2 defeats and 1 draw from the opening games it would suggest a win for either could kick start the season.

I think most would agree it’s not been the ideal start, and certainly not the start Bo’ness had hoped for, some may even say that 3 points and a first victory is a must this evening we just have to hope that the added pressure doesn’t affect the way the team approach the game. You would think given the experience of Max and his back room staff, and the more experienced players in the team, will prevent that from happening; what we do know for sure is this will be a tough game as every league game is with a very tight competitive league and both teams will be striving for the 3 points this evening.

Into the match then and after what was an unexpected pleasant bright warm day and not the rain that was forecast the weather was still holding out and it was a very pleasant night for watching football. After a five minute delay while one of the nets was fixed under the watchful eye of the linesman the visitors got us underway. It was a lovely start for them as well as they dominated possession. Miller done well on the right but fouled as he almost beat his man the problem of course being had he beaten him he had to go himself as he was out wide rather than in the box awaiting a cross. The pressure continued again it was Miller with the chance, it went begging as the shot was poor. McKenzie was next to cause problems as he dribbled into the box really well and his shot had to be blocked. Finally the dominance paid off again good play down the left,m with the defence beaten the ball was rolled perfectly across the sic yard area leaving Miller a tap in.

Edinburgh Uni 0 - 1 BU.

The lead was to be short lived as just after the restart as looping cross came over the BU box from the far side and a powerful header left Murphy helpless.

Edinburgh Uni 1 - 1 BU.

A searching cross from the left found no one for the visitors and shortly after it looked like they could be in again only for the referee to award a foul on the goalkeeper. A through ball almost found Miller but the home keeper was alert off his line to get to the ball first. He rolled it out setting his team on a counter and a decent ball was delivered from the left speaks for handball weren’t given against the attacker before he shot but it was blocked and cleared without too much trouble. The home side had a shot from outside the box blocked for a corner and from it the ball was rolled in, looked a certain powerful shot coming up but the ball was completely missed and the visitors took it away to start a quick counter attack which broke down just past half way with an excellent tackle. A good cross moments later had the home side defending again and they managed to head it clear for a corner. A short delay while the home side got treatment for a player who looked to have over stretched then the corner came in only for the resulting effort to come back off the post. Just past the half hour mark and the visitors were trying to exert pressure again, the ball was well won in midfield and played forward only to be cleared before a cross could be put across the box. Another good win and control of the ball in midfield set the visitors going forward again and really good link up play between Hawkins and Grant on the right hand side gave a great opportunity to cross, and what a cross it was to the back post leaving McMullen to finish with a great effort.

Edinburgh Uni 1 - 2 BU.

Just a few minutes later and Grant had a good dipping effort come very close to making it three. A corner was next to come close for the visitors as the ball was scrambled off the line but as it broke out it was delivered back in and just a minute from half time Miller was there to slot it into the net for his second of the match.

Edinburgh Uni 1 - 3 BU.

Before half time the visitors had time for another goal one minute into the added time a great cross ball found Grant breaking into the box and he curled a beautiful shot into the net, the home keeper with no chance at all of stopping it.

Edinburgh Uni 1 - 4 BU.

The game was restarted and that was to be all for the half.

Into the second half and while reports of a match abandoned due to torrential rain water logging the Camelon pitch in under 15 minutes we seemed to be lucky here in Edinburgh with only some clouds to trouble us on a still very mild night and no rain so far. An early cross into the box was delivered really well from the far side and McKenzie came close with a header at the back post from it. More pressure from the visitors saw good play on the left and Miller almost with a chance before a quick counter could have turned out better for the home side had the ball been hit properly from the edge of the box, the striker appealed for a foul but it was waved away by the referee. A great touch from McKenzie almost had the visitors forward again but a good tackle broke up the attack, McKenzie never gave it up however and soon won the ball back playing it forward to be crossed low to the box, Miller turned ready to shoot but was blocked just before he could make contact with the ball. A substitution for the BU by gaffer Max Christie saw Macauley replaced by Skinner. Hunter sent a long throw towards the edge of the box but the home side were 1st to it and cleared. Two free kicks both direct hits for the home side were the only opportunities over the next 10 minutes or so with both well off target and no chance of troubling Murphy’s goal. A double change for the visitors saw Grant & Comrie make way for Flynn & Allan with around 17 minutes to play. A good through ball found Miller and he was unlucky to have his shot blocked at the near post sending the ball for a corner. Slack passing at the back from the home side allowed Miller in to win the ball and from it a corner. It was a good delivery this time right into the six yard box and the keeper done well to punch the ball clear. It broke kindly to the home side and Hawkins found himself in the book for breaking up the counter attack on the half way line. A great cross from deep on the far side by Miller narrowly missed 3 advancing players but the ball was well kept and as it came back in for a second time the home side again had to clear. They tried to counter with a long ball this time but Hunter was there to calmly head the ball forward and away from any danger. Once again the visitors were into the box and appeals for a penalty just inside were waved away. Moments later a short corner was taken to Flynn and his cross almost found Miller however even had he got on the end of the ball the flag was up for offside from the linesman on the far side. Into the final five minutes and the visitors were looking comfortable as they had for most of the game other than a short spell after the home side equalised. Four minutes to go and the visitors weren’t quite finished scoring as McMullan got his second with a tap in at the back post after a really good ball across the box.

Edinburgh Uni 1 - 5 BU.

A good run up the left had the home defence back tracking once again to block a cross into their box as the visitors finished the match strongly. Andy Murphy had a very quiet game in the BU goal and routine gather from a cross was easily handled as the first thing of note he had to do all second half. Forward again came the visitors now deep in added time and McKenzie darted forward screaming for the pass on the edge of the box. He got his wish and with a touch inside he then fired the ball into the net.

Edinburgh Uni 1 - 6 BU.

Overall a much better overall performance from the BU with a very well deserved win.

Next up a trip to Peebles to face Vale of Leithen on Saturday.