Vale of Leithen 0-7 Bo'ness United

A "Fan view" report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND! Thanks Bryan!

A much needed first win for the BU done in emphatic style midweek should be the kick start the away side we’re looking for after opening up with a defeat followed by a draw and another defeat. For all involved, fans, the gaffer, his back room team and the players the win was a long time coming but well earned and well deserved as the previous results certainly weren’t due to a lack of effort.
It’s a trip east again today this time through Peebles to Innerleithen to face a Vald side who on previous campaigns have been nearer the bottom of the table than the top. That doesn’t mean however they will be taken lightly, but surely anything other than a win would be classed a bad result for the visitors.

Into the match and the visitors got us underway playing in the blue tops with Vale in white. A good move from the kick off saw the ball passed in from the left and across the box leaving a shooting opportunity that was put well wide. A diagonal ball from left to right was well controlled out wide by the visitors only a block from the home defence stopping the ball getting across the box. The resulting corner was swung in and headed well over. Forward came the visitors again though and this time as he broke into the box Grant went down leaving the referee to point to the penalty spot. Zander Miller stepped up and calmly slotted a beautiful penalty into the net leaving the keeper no chance.

Vale of Leithen 0 - 1 BU.

As the home side went to restart the game there was a slight delay while a curious dog decided to have a run on the park, it was soon back off however and not long after we got going again McMullan played a ball through to Grant who shot from a right angle and in went the ball via a brush with the home keeper and a hit off the inside of the post.

Vale 0 - 2 BU.

Miller done well in the box for the visitors next only for his effort to be blocked as the BU looked to be in full control and no threat at all coming from the home side with the match now twenty minutes in. Another corner had to be defended this time all Vale could do was send it for another corner. A brilliant cross from the left looped in only the head of a Vale defender stopped it and from the next corner almost a shooting chance from the edge of the box but a poor touch gave possession away. The home side eventually did make it to the visitors box on twenty five minutes a long throw sent in but it was easily dealt with by the home defence. As the home side tried to get out they were stopped just past half way a ball inside from McCormack found Hunter who took it forward to half way before knocking it out wide for a cross to be sent in from deep, Grant had his eye on it and also on a 2nd goal as he floated a great header past a helpless Vale keeper.

Vale 0 - 3 BU.

The scoreline certainly didn’t flatter the visitors as they had total control and once again quick play this time through the middle from Grant left him able to lay the ball out wide, quickly it came back inside to Miller who rolled it across the box from the right, somehow it missed everyone but Grant was there again to pick it up this time wide on the right, he sent it back over only for it to eventually be cleared by the home side. McKenzie showed good feet on the left to cut inside and have a shot from the edge of the box it deflected off Miller and went out of play however he was judged to be offside. The last attack of the half came from the home side as they broke quickly down the left sending a good ball over that was well defended by MacAuley heading it clear.

Half time Vale of Leithen 0 - 3 Bo’ness United. A dominant display and well deserved lead.

Into the second half and after sheltering from the rain in the stand where the visitors had to have their half time interval an insight to the gaffers team talk could be heard although at 3-0 up there wasn’t too much said. The home side got us back underway, but it was once again the visitors going forward a ball rolled to Miller saw him drag a shot wide from just inside the box on the far side. Minutes later and Miller was in the box again this time his effort well on target forcing an excellent stop from the home keeper. 10 mins into the half and good feet on the left touchline saw the visitors send another ball across the Vale box, Miller got the shot from it but it was blocked and the ball went out for a corner. The first change was made my Max Christie as McKenzie made way for Allen. In came the corner and waiting at the back post was Stuart Hunter, we’re used to his headers at corners but this time the ball dropped for him to absolute smash it home with his boot.

Vale 0 - 4 BU.

A second change for the visitors on the hour mark saw Skinner replace Hawkins. 61 played and the ball found Miller in the box, this time he picked his spot and made it 5-0 and his second of the match giving a little sense of de ja vu from a few days ago as both Miller & Grant scored 2 goals in the last match. A few minutes later and once again BU gaffer Max Christie went to his bench as Anderson came on for Locke. The home side got forward again a rare occasion just like the first half and a good effort was blocked for a corner. 72 minutes in and Tom Grant got his hat trick and he done it in some style striking the ball beautifully from fully 30 - 35 yards a stunning strike that was in no doubt from the moment the ball left his boot.

Vale 0 - 6 BU.

Grant was getting involved again working the ball well over the far side flicking it past his man and a couple of minutes later good vision and a cross field pass had Anderson on the end of it, his first time shot was well wide however nothing would have counted as the linesman had his flag up on the far side. Forward once more and Miller ran onto the ball taking it towards the box, as the goalkeeper came off his line towards him squaring the ball was probably the best think to do but a striker on a hat trick brimming with confidence was never going to do that and really at 6 goals up who can blame him, unfortunately the hat trick never came as the ball went wide of the post. Great feet from McMullan saw him through on goal as he beat two men, his shot however was saved by the home keeper. A good ball out wide shortly followed by one through the middle had the visitors almost in again, offside was called on both occasions as the match entered the final couple of minutes. 89 minutes played and goal number seven, Anderson swung a corner in and Miller was waiting to finally complete his hat trick.

Vale 0 - 7 BU.

No time added by the referee meant the ball was centred and as the home side restarted the referee blew for full time. A well deserved victory after a dominant performance with two players bagging a hat trick, Tom Grant & Zander Miller. Stuart Hunter also on the scoresheet for the visitors. The home side still await not just a victory in the league campaign but a goal having not scored at all so far in their opening matches.

Full time Vale of Leithen 0 - 7 Bo’ness United.

Next up for the BU is a home league match against Celtic B next Saturday.