Match Preview 2021 2022 submitted by JOHN SPOWART!

Rangers B, Lowland League, Newtown Park, Saturday 06 November 2021

Bo’ness United return to league action following last weekend’s blank Saturday and their Scottish Cup defeat at Edinburgh City the week previously. Rangers B are the visitors to Newtown Park and the BUs hope to fare better than the first game of the season away to the Glasgow youngsters.

Bo’ness created only a few chances in Dumbarton while great goalkeeping by Andy Murphy, along with some stout defending, kept the young bucks at bay. However, Rangers B made the breakthrough in 69 minutes through Tony Weston and Robbie Ure sealed the points a minute into time added on.

Since that opening day, what was a largely unfamiliar BU squad has gelled somewhat although yet to achieve the consistency necessary to challenge at the top of the table. The young Rangers side on the other hand are sitting in second place behind pacesetters Bonnyrigg Rose. They have lost only three from fifteen and notably won at Bonnyrigg in early September.

Bo’ness recovered from their poor start to the season, getting some good wins while competing well in other games although they have lost their last two, the disappointing defeat at Cumbernauld Colts and the loss at Edinburgh City. In that Scottish tie the BUs did go ahead in eleven minutes after a dinked cross from new signing Reis Peggie was headed in at the near post by Kieran Anderson. Bo’ness conceded just before the break, a simple long ball seeing Ryan Shanley outpace the Bo’ness defence to angle low past the advancing Andy Murphy. The winner for Edinburgh came with fifteen minutes remaining, a great goal by substitute John Robertson, cutting across from the right before firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net from thirty yards. Over the piece Bo’ness competed well against the League 2 side and created the chances that might have earned them the draw.

A number of players have come in to boost the squad, Murray Carstairs from Dundonald Bluebell and loan signings Reis Peggie from Kelty Hearts and Gregor Nicol from Queens Park. The BUs hope to get back to winning ways and make a concerted effort to move up the table but playing against the young full time skilful players of Rangers B will provide a stiff test for that aspiration. What’s not in doubt is the effort the Bo’ness will put in to get a result.

There is likely to be a large support for the Glasgow team and although the BU Faithful may have more competition than is usual for a home game, they too will rise to the occasion to make sure their team is given a rousing support on the day.

John Spowart
05 November 2021