Bo'ness United 0-2 Celtic B

"Fan View" match report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

Match Report
Lowland league Matchday 6
Bo’ness United v Celtic B
Sat 07/08/21 KO 15:00
Newtown park, Bo’ness

BU Team :
Murphy (Gk). J. McCormack Hunter (C), McMullan Macauley, Grant, Comrie, Galbraith, McKenzie, Locke, Miller.
Subs : Stevenson, Skinner, Allan, Gillespie, Anderson,Flynn.

After what could be called a shaky start to the season for the BU the first win of the season came in emphatic style away to Edinburgh Uni and was followed up by an even bigger win away to Vale of Leithen last weekend. The last two results will certainly give the home side confidence going into this one as they still seek a first win at home.
Today’s opponents are of course a bit of an unknown with them being new to the league, but we could assume they will be much like their old firm counterparts who we played on the opening day. Being a full time professional outfit like the Rangers B team also are they will for sure have very good tactics and set up and will be very fit given the amount of training they will have.
Like the fixture against Rangers B there will be a buzz about the place for this fixture and like I said before the opening game there is mixed opinion about the two teams being allowed entry. Some clubs voted them in, some clubs voted them out, some fans will say they agree and other will disagree with them being here but forget all that and focus on the football we should be in a good game.
For sure the home side will be looking forward to it as well as the fans and everyone will be well up for the game.

Into the first half and the visitors were almost in early on with Hunter defending well for the home side. The visitors were through again soon after this time Murphy making a routine save. When the home side got their foot on the ball they played it forward well and a good delivery into the box was narrowly missed. The closest to the opening goal was the home side when Galbraith latched onto a through pass and hit a beautiful strike stinging the gloves of the Celtic keeper who waved well to send the ball for a corner. In it came and again a good chance thanks to a great delivery saw another shot head towards goal only to be cleared feet from the line. At the other end the visitors broke quickly and sent a delivery over from the by line but it missed everyone and was cleared to safety. 27 minutes in and a free kick saw Galbraith have a go from outside the box plenty of curl on the ball but not a lot of power and the Celtic keeper made a routine save. The home side came close again just a minute later but again the vistors defence were on hand. A direct hit from around 20 yards for the visitors after a free kick was awarded didn’t trouble Murphy in the home goal as the BU looked to be holding their own and doing well so far against the full time professionals. A ball across the box presented a half chance to Celtic but the ball was hard to control and and went high and wide. At the other end a good through ball almost had Miller in but the home keeper was alert and off his line. That was to be the last action of the half as it finished Bo’ness United 0 -0 Celtic B.

Into the second half and no changes before we got back underway. The referee had yellow cards for a couple of home players early on before the before the visitors sent a ball flashing across the box inside the six yard line no one was there to get on the end of it or clear and it went out for a throw on the left hand side. The visitors went on to enjoy a good spell with Murphy making 2 really good saves in quick succession and the pressure was kept on as another ball was sent into the BU box who finally got some breathing space as it went out of play. Manager Max Christie made a change as Galbraith was replaced by Flynn on 64 minutes. Two minutes later and Celtic were on to attack again this time quick feet led to a quick run towards the box Locke got down into a tackle and was slightly late leading the referee to award a free kick, with a yellow card expected the referee stunned everyone by flashing a straight red and although there was appeals the referee was never going to change his mind. Before the free kick was taken another change saw Grant replaced by Skinner and the free kick from the visitors was a direct hit well off target. 73 minutes played and another ball flashed wide close to Murphy’s left hand post. A ball across the box moments later saw two Celtic players go for it from around 6 yards thankfully for the home side none of them got a touch on it as it rolled away to safety. Very safe to say at this time the visitors were enjoying the best of the game as the home side tried to get back into it even with the ten men. As the home side did get forward a tackle on half way that warranted a yellow card was waved away by the referee and with 9 minutes to go the third change from the BU gaffer was Allan for Miller. Seven minutes left and killer blow came for the home side as Celtic made their way into the box and after beating two men a shot was unleashed from close range, Murphy reacted really well and made a fantastic save but unfortunately the ball fell to a waiting Celtic boot and was put into the net from close range. BU 0 - 1 Celtic B. Just a minute later and the fate was sealed for the home side as Celtic crossed deep and a simple finish at the back post gave them a second goal. BU 0 - 2 Celtic B. The referee added no time on at the end blowing right on the 90 minutes.

Bo’ness United 0 - 2 Celtic B.