Match Preview 2021 2022 submitted by JOHN SPOWART!

East Kilbride, Lowland League, K-Park, Saturday 14 August 2021

Bo’ness United face another difficult challenge with the trip to South Lanarkshire to face East Kilbride. East Kilbride, not to be mixed up with former Junior side East Kilbride Thistle, came into being in its current form in 2010 born out of Stewartville FC and Jacktonville Boys Club. They have a large number of teams as part of the community club and are based at the K Park Training Academy set inside the picturesque Calderglen Country Park.

East Kilbride are playing catch up in the league due to their participation in the Premier Sports Scottish League Cup, courtesy of finishing runners up in last season’s curtailed Lowland League. They finished fourth in their five-team section, pipping last place Clyde. They lost the game against Kilmarnock but were subsequently awarded the win as Kilmarnock had fielded a suspended player. They did go down at Stranraer but were unlucky to lose to Morton and Clyde on penalties after drawing both games at ninety minutes. They also qualified for a place in the SPFL Trust Trophy, which was the Scottish Challenge Cup, but lost at Falkirk conceding three goals without reply.

Kilby’s early league form has not been as expected, so much so their manager, Stephen Aitken left the club on Tuesday leaving assistant manager Chris Aitken to take temporary charge aided by coach Ian Durrant. East Kilbride drew at Celtic B and at home to Caledonian Braves before losing, again at home, to current front runners Civil Service Strollers. On Sunday they visited Rangers B losing by the odd goal in three, the Glasgow team’s winner coming late in the game.

Bo’ness went to East Kilbride early last season gaining a hard-earned point to maintain what was at that stage an eight-game undefeated run. Zander Miller struck in seven minutes for Bo’ness but East Kilbride equalised before the break through Craig Malcolm. In their first season in the East of Scotland League the BUs also visited East Kilbride, this time for a South of Scotland Cup tie. The home side controlled much of the game but Bo’ness enjoyed good spells when they created a number of chances. Ross McNeil put East Kilbride ahead in 58 minutes and with only two minutes remaining Paul Woods sealed the home win. It is significant that it was the East Kilbride goalkeeper, Matthew McGinley who received the man of the match award having made some great saves to keep the BUs out.

Last week Bo’ness lost to Celtic B at Newtown Park but despite the defeat, the BUs showed they are an improving side. In the first half United took the game to the full timers and only a super save from Celtic keeper Tobi Oluwayemi stopped Connor McMullen’s shot from distance putting Bo’ness ahead. In the second half the BUs were more on the backfoot and, although their goal survived a couple of narrow squeaks, plus the usual great goalkeeping by Andy Murphy, the BUs stood firm. Unfortunately for Bo’ness a controversial red card for Nick Locke reduced their numbers and the final twenty minutes were always going to be a struggle. As it turned out two inspirational substitutions from Celtic won them the day. In 84 minutes Tsoanelo Letsosa replaced Adam Brooks and only a minute later put his side ahead from close in. With three minutes remaining Bruno Davidson came on for Rocco Vata and within the minute put the ball in the Bo’ness net. A disappointing end but promise of better results to come. Another new signing in the form of Paul Gillespie came on to make his Bo’ness debut while Danny Galbraith returned from injury to put in a useful hour of play.

Neither Bo’ness United or East Kilbride are anywhere near where they want to be in the table and the New Town side, particularly finishing in second place last season, are keen to go one better this time round. The BUs, despite their current position, look like they are starting to get things together, also want to be at the top end of the pile. An exciting contest is in prospect and the BU Faithful, including a welcome first Supporters Club bus of the season, can do their bit making the relatively short trip to give the United players the usual noisy encouragement.

John Spowart
13 August 2021