Gretna 2008 0-1 Bo'ness United

"Fanview" Match Report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

Lowland League Match day 10
Gretna 2008 v Bo’ness United
Sat 28/08/21. KO 15:00
Raydale Park, Gretna

Bo’ness Team :
Murphy (Gk). Hawkins, Macauley, Hunter,
J. McCormack. Comrie, Gemmel, Galbraith, Miller, Anderson, Wilson.
Subs : Trialist, Stevenson, Allen, Flynn.

The first of two big away trips for the BU as we travel to Gretna today and just 3 days later a midweek trip to Berwick awaits. Some could say it’s lucky the support is as good as it is with recent results. Many teams would be facing next to no support for such far distances in close succession given it’s been only two wins, one draw and six defeats so far but as always I can say with confidence the strong support always associated with Bo’ness will not dwindle no matter what.
I’m sure the management and coaching staff will have the players ready for what’s ahead and will all want to put on good performances which hopefully will bring the results we require.
With assistant John Miller leaving the club to reunite with Gordon Herd once he was appointed Linlithgow Rose manager Bo’ness stalwart and legend Stuart Hunter now takes up position as Player/Assistant Manager, a fantastic appointment for such a loyal and committed Bo’ness player who has an eye for winning and a fantastic understanding of the game and what’s required at Bo’ness United. For many today it’s another new ground to tick off the list and with a such a long journey it goes without saying it’s a long trip back without threeq points so let’s hope for a win and a happy trip back up the road.

Into the match then and we got underway after a minutes applause was respectfully completed. The opening twenty minutes leaves a struggle for a match report as apart from a couple of blocked shots by the home defence both keepers were kept quiet and possibly Bo’ness would shade the possession stats but neither team had anything of note to write about. 23 minutes in and new signing Wilson stung the gloves of the home keeper with a shot from inside the box after latching on to a good through ball. The home side swung a free kick into the box but it was poor and easily headed away by Gemmel. 28 minutes in and a worry for the visitors as1 Stevenson replaced Hunter who limped off the pitch with what can only be assumed a pulled muscle. Good play down the left form Galbraith earned a corner and thanks to a brilliant delivery by Anderson from it into the six yard box Miller had easy finish into the back of the net.

Gretna 0 - 1 Bo’ness 32 minutes.

On balance so far the vistors were looking the better team and Anderson had a go from distance that went over the home keepers crossbar. A corner for the home side was easily cleared and the follow up shot collected comfortably by Murphy before a quick break saw Wilson through 1 on 1 with the home keeper, he got told of a decent shot a he ran in but the keeper made himself big and blocked the shot, the rebound fell to Wilson only for the post to deny him this time. It was then the home side on a quick counter and a shot from the left hand side went narrowly past the post. A foul on Stevenson brought the first card of the game and the free kick was hit long towards the home sides box from deep inside the vistors own half as we now got into added time. Stevenson crossed from the right hand side but the home defence had a simple header to clear and looking good for their lead so far the half ended Gretna 2008 0 - 1 Bo’ness United.

Into the second half and a golden opportunity to double the lead was passed up as Miller stepped up and missed a penalty after a foul inside the box. The penalty was a decent strike but the keeper read where it was going and made the stop. A direct hit from the home side saw Murphy busy in the BU goal getting down low to his right and making a save before once he had the ball he looked to be fouled. This caused a bit of an argument between both side with players crowding round each other and the referee. The end result was a booking each side and on with the game. 19 minutes into the half and Anderson was replaced by Flynn as Max Christie once again went to his bench. A really good cross from the right fell to Flynn only yards out but somehow he missed. Minutes later the home keeper watched a shot go narrowly wide of his left hand post. As the visitors once again pushed forward good passing across the box saw the ball eventually fed into Miller who stung the gloves of the home keeper with a close range shot. Twelve minutes to go and the final visitors change saw Allen replace Galbraith. Moments later it was the home side on the the front foot and the visitors were almost left to regret all the missed chances as Murphy did well to smother the ball low to this right after an excellent cross and shot from 6 yards. It was now getting a bit fraught for the vistors who should have put this one to bed a long time ago as possession was lost in midfield by Stevenson and once again the home side on the front foot with Murphy having to pull off another save from close range. The home side were now seeing a lot more of the ball and MacAuley had to be alert to make a block then monomer later from the resulting corner he had to ensure the ball was cleared to safety. The visitors tried to get forward but once again possession was lost and Murphy again was down low to make a save turning the ball away for a corner which was well defended and the ball headed clear. A cheap foul just past half way hand the home side another chance to get a ball in the box with two minutes of regulation time left. This time a push gave the visitors possession back with a free kick of their own. Into added time and a cross from the home side sailed well over the bar. Another cross this time into the six yard area was turned away by McCormack as the visitors tried to keep the ball further up the pitch and see the match out. Just a couple of added minutes and the match ended Gretna 2008 0 - 1 Bo’ness United.

3 points for the BU thankfully in a match that should have had more goals and a more comfortable win, but at least the long trip home will be better with a win.