Bo'ness United 3-3 East Stirlingshire

"Fanview" Match Report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

Lowland League Match day 12
Bo’ness United v East Stirlingshire
04/09/2021. KO 15:00
Newtown Park.

A local Derby today at Bo’ness as the home side welcome The Shire to Newtown Park and I’m sure it’s a welcome fixture after a trip to Gretna last weekend and Berwick just four days ago, both of which the BU won by 1 goal to 0.
After today it’s on our travels again as next Saturday we return to Gretna once again, this time for a cup match followed by the Scottish Cup Round 1 the following where a trip as far as you can go to Wick awaits us.

Confidence will be high in the home camp today after two wins back to back against good opposition and a very good performance last time out at Berwick. A mention must be made for the players coaching staff and committee aswell as the fans that showed dedication and made the midweek trip which in the end I’m sure everyone agrees was well worth it given that it was a really good performance as well as a great result. This being said however all the wins this season have came on the road this season (Edinburgh Uni, Vale of Leithen, Gretna & Berwick) so the BU are still awaiting a win at home this season with the best results so far a draw against Gala Fairydean Rovers. Other results have been defeats at home to Celtic B, Spartans and Bonnyrigg and away to Rangers B and East Kilbride.
The Shire are a well established Lowland League side who have been near the top end of the table on several occasions so today’s match will of course be tough as a lot are at this level so hopefully we are in for another good game at Newtown Park today.

Into the match then and early through ball almost found Wilson but the visiting defence got to it first while at the other end Macauley hooked a cross away on the left hand edge of the box. A couple of corners in succession for the shire were well cleared by Gemmell at the near post before the ball made it to Comrie inside the box, down he went under the challenge and appeals for a penalty were waved away by the referee who also booked Comrie for simulation. The home side had started well and were soon on the move forward once again however a quick break against the run of play on 15 minutes saw the opening goal of the match, a ball rolled through to the edge of the box saw a nice first touch then the ball calmly slotted low under Murphy and into the net. BU 0 - 1 Shire. Murphy was quick off his line to clear a ball then was blatantly fouled by the Shire No 9 who the proceded to play act as if he was the victim. The referee was however having none of it and once he was up the player was rightly booked. The home side were on the front foot right from the kick off and a nice ball rolled over the box was begging to be hit however it was unfortunately hit by a shire defender. 23 minutes and the deserved equaliser came Anderson smashed a shot from the edge of the box high into the roof of the net. BU 1 - 1 Shire. Just a couple of minutes later and a long ball found Wilson who broke forward and although there was a foul the referee correctly played advantage as the ball broke to Stevenson who slotted it into the net. BU 2 - 1 Shire. Stevenson had a chance to put the home side further in front as he broke into the box from the left but the ball was just too far in front and easily collected by the keeper. At the other end we got an equaliser as a shot was blocked by Murphy and rebounded in the penalty area it fell for a strike which was slammed into the net. BU 2 - 2 Shire with barely half an hour played. The goals weren’t finished just yet however as on 34 minutes the home side took the lead again this time Wilson with the strike. BU 3 - 2 Shire. As half time approached the home side had the last chance as Anderson fired over from distance.
Half time Bo’ness United 3 - 2 East Stirlingshire.

Into the secind half and it was a fairly quiet affair until 10 minutes in when appeals for a home penalty were waved away after it looked to be a certain spot kick with Wilson hauled to the ground but just a minute later at the other end the referee pointed to the spot incorrectly as there was little to no contact but the Shire made the most of it also earning Skinner a yellow card. The penalty was scored to make it BU 3 - 3 Shire. As the home side broke forward the Shire keeper gathered the ball but was outside the box awarding a free kick to the home side. The free kick was deflected and cleared before the Shire tried to break quickly but a good interception by Gemmell stopped them before the box. Stevenson carried the ball well into the shire box and almost laid it off perfectly for a strike only for a shire defender to get the slightest touch on it to take it away. Minutes later Anderson had a half volley from outside the box go not too far over the cross bar. 17 minutes remaining and a free kick right in the edge of the the box was driven towards goal by Stevenson but the low drive was blocked by the firm standing Shire wall. The first Bo’ness change came as Flynn replaced Stevenson for the final 12 minutes. Murphy in the BU goal was alert as he got down low to his left to stop a shot from not far inside the box. Into the final five minutes and the ball was sent forward however no one in blue was there to get on the end of it and it was quickly sent to the other end where calm defending was called for. As the home side broke forward again what can only be described as a ridiculous tackle on Galbraith near the half way line left no option but a red card. The free kick was sent forward but came to nothing as it didn’t even make the box. Once again it all kicked off as Galbraith was again on the wrong end of a tackle causing players and benches to run on and a major scuffle take place. The referee quickly blew the full time whistle in amongst it all and the match ended Bo’ness United 3 - 3 East Stirlingshire.