Celtic B 4-1 Bo'ness United

'Fanview' Match Report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

Lowland league match day 22
Celtic B v Bo’ness United
Sat 18/12/2021. KO 13:00.
Penny Cars Stadium, Airdrie

After the disappointment of last week Bo’ness will be looking to bounce back against a Celtic B side who have been going well in their opening season of lowland league football. I guess if you were to ask most Bo’ness fans the word consistency would come up as in fairness a lack of it has caused problems at time with some really good performances and on the other hand some not so good leading to inconsistent results so far throughout the season.
Last week in fairness to him Captain Michael Gemmell made no excuses as he spoke to United Club members after the match and credit to him for coming out straight after, well done Michael. Also an interview with gaffer Max Christie was honest and fair. Vale of Leithen came and defended robustly and the home side just couldn’t break them down and got hit with the sucker punch of a late goal. That has to be put out the minds now however as we look forward to todays game.
When the two sides met earlier in the season the BU held their own until they went down to 10 men and tired a little late on with the full time side running out winners. An early kick off today with the game kicking off at 13:00 on request of Celtic B however I’m sure won’t stop the usual large away support that follows the BU.

Into the game then and the fog that was prominent from Bo’ness and the journey through had gave way to some fine winter sun. The BU got us underway and an early Stevenson shot from outside the box had the home keeper dive low to his left and make a save although the ball looked to be going wide anyway. At the other end a really good tackle from McCormack stopped a Celtic counter attack before they got to the 18 yard line. A free kick was awarded to the home side much to the frustration of the visitors who thought it was a mistake, from it the ball was played out wide and a dangerous ball fizzed across the box which was eventually cleared away. Another dubious decision followed as not even a free kick should have been given but the referee awarded a free kick and booked Jamie McCormack, this was met with absolute shock and anger from the visiting fans and bench as BU manager Max Christie called the referee over for an explanation, after discussions with the referee the BU gaffer also seen a yellow. Fifteen minutes in and a good move up the left had the home side on the front foot and with the ball rolled across the box it was fired high over the bar from around 14 yards. The visitors were inviting pressure into themselves as a couple of good tackles from Gemmell won the ball back but slack passes out from the back by the defence were handing possession back to a Celtic. On a rare trip up field so far a corner was swung in and as it was met near the back post the home keeper was scrambling across his goal to make a save. Moments later the opening goal, a break forward from Celtic was well blocked and the ball sent for a corner. As it came in Bo’ness switched off allowing the ball to be headed down and then placed low into the net with too many Celtic players in the box not marked and with so much time it was impossible for the goal not to come. Celtic B 1 - 0 Bo’ness. Fast forward just a minute and the visitors not really in the game so far to be honest were picked off by the full time young professionals again a simple through ball was latched onto and once again with no one near to defend the ball was put calmly into the net. Celtic B 2 - 0 Bo’ness. Locke had a half chance if you could even call it that for the visitors, then a quick counter had Celtic B players queue up for a pass thankfully the ball was intercepted as once again there was players free while BU gaffer Max Christie looked on from the edge of his technical area I would imagine unimpressed by what he was seeing so far. A low drive from outside the box went just wide of Murphy's post then a free kick from around 20 yards gave the visitors a chance. Galbraith struck it towards goal but it was well wide. Grant saw a yellow card from the referee for a foul almost on half way. A foul yes it was, a yellow well that’s debatable. A through ball between Hunter and McCormack after some good play from the home side had them through 1 on 1 with Murphy he was quick to react and made himself big to make a great stop. Not that they needed it but the home side were still getting help from the referee this time Gemmell made a tackle winning the ball superbly well and cleanly only for the referee to award a free kick. That was the last of the half and in summary good passing good ball retention and clinical finishing from a full time young professional side see then 2 goal to the good and the visitors have a bit to think about giving away cheap goals, not holding on to the ball, giving up possession cheaply.

Half time Celtic B 2 - 0 Bo’ness.

Into the second half and a good move forward from the visitors starting with Flynn and ending up with Locke gave the travelling support encouragement. It lasted a couple of minutes however as at the other end a corner was sent in and it seemed as though Murphy lost the ball in the sun and as it went through his gloves it landed for the simplest of tap ins once again. Celtic B 3 - 0 Bo’ness. Things went from bad to worse as Bo’ness played a terrible ball across their own box Murphy got to it and took a touch but as the home side closed in they nicked the ball and Murphy as a result committed a foul causing the referee to correctly point to the spot. Murphy got down low to his right to save the penalty which being honest was a poor one but credit to the BU man making a good save. More slack passing gave the home side the ball again and a cross flashed across the box narrowly missed before being cleared by Stevenson. A double change for the visitors saw Anderson & Nicol replace Grant and Flynn also a swap on the park saw Jacobs move to left back and Stevenson to Right back with half an hour still to play. The home side were keeping the ball well and really just coasting through the game, a good long ball up the left wing was brought down and sent across to the edge of the box where a shot was curled towards the corner bringing Murphy in the BU goal back into action with a comfortable save. Offside stopped Anderson breaking forward and more slack passing and what looked now like a given up from the visitors was once again handing possession back to the home side. A long diagonal ball was controlled well and sent across the box towards the back post where it was slammed into the net to make it 4-0 with 17 minutes remaining. A shot from distance went just over the bar from the home side while a good run saw then almost break through to the box again this time a tackle by Hunter stopping the attack. Three shots on goal in a row were blocked by Gemmell, Stevenson and Jacobs as the home side looked to further their advantage even more. And as the visitors tried to take off some pressure once again the ball was cheaply given away while breaking forward. A good move forward with ten minutes to go saw Anderson hit a shot bringing the home keeper into action making a good save having been very quiet not just all half but all game really. From the resulting corner the ball was headed down from around the penalty spot but was an easy take for the keeper. A very wayward shot from the home side saw the ball go high and wide from 25 yards as the hand entered the last five minutes and I think by this point everyone in a blue jersey and watching on from the stands supporting the BU just wanted the final whistle to sound. Jacobs swept the ball clear from inside the six yard box as the the home side sent a cross in from the far side. A through ball almost set the home side in again, Jacobs again to the rescue doing enough to put his opponent off and allow the ball to run through to Murphy. Another cross the time from the right was sent over and this time a shot was smashed low towards goal, Murphy down exceptionally well making a save with his legs. Into added time and the home side looked happy to play keep ball knocking it about between them almost waiting for the final whistle. The visitors nicked it back however and also a consolation goal a corner was met by Locke and sent beyond the keeper high into the net. That was the last action as the referee blew for full time as soon as the home side centred the ball.

Full time Celtic B 4 - 1 Bo’ness United.

A disappointing run in to Xmas for the BU with two defeats on the bounce, however to all players, management, fans & committee Merry Xmas and the report will be back next game on Monday the 27th of December when the BU are home to Gretna 2008.