Match Preview 2021 2022 by JOHN SPOWART!

University of Stirling, Lowland League, Forthbank Stadium, Saturday 15 January 2022

Bo’ness United visit the University of Stirling at the Forthbank Stadium and hope they can finally get one over on the students at the third time of asking. The BUs lost in Stirling in their only meeting last season and only two months ago narrowly lost at Newtown Park.

In the recent match a disastrous first twenty minutes saw Bo’ness go two behind, one coming from a simple through ball, the other after a misplaced pass from a BU throw deep inside the University half. Jamie Penker was the finisher of both, the same player who did the damage last season. Bo’ness recovered their composure and although a contentious offside flag cancelled out Matty Flynn’s strike, they did pull a goal back when Greg Skinner scrambled home from a Danny Galbraith free kick cross. The BUs then saw a Nick Locke free kick shot crash off the University bar and just before the break United hit the frame once more, Reis Peggie unlucky not to see his side go in all square.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Bo’ness did equalise as Matty Flynn gathered Kieran Anderson’s lay off to dash forward before shooting low into the far corner of the net. Unfortunately, only eight minutes later Stirling regained their lead, James Stokes, all alone in the box, headed home from a Louis Kennedy cross. The BUs were unable to get back and it was not to be their day.

As University of Stirling saw their game at East Kilbride postponed on Saturday, the BUs got a win, performing well to beat Cumbernauld Colts at home by the odd goal in three. Bo’ness made a great start, going ahead in only four minutes as Matty Flynn bulleted home a header from a great Jamie McCormack cross. Continuing to dominate the play, United scored a second in thirty-nine minutes, Jamie McCormack this time the scorer, heading in after a Danny Galbraith free kick cross was headed back across goal by Murray Carstairs. In the second half, Bo’ness spurned a number of chances to increase their lead and with just over fifteen minutes remaining it was Cumbernauld who scored, Ewan MacPherson knocking the ball home on the line. Cumbernauld had looked livelier in the second period and now had their tails up but the BU defence was solid and held out to win the points.

Despite their win at Bo’ness earlier in the season, the university side trail the BUs and are two places and seven points behind. Bo’ness are keen to increase that gap, the students equally determined to close it.

UoS have won three of their last four games and only lost by a single goal against Bonnyrigg Rose. They will prove very difficult opponents this weekend. Bo’ness will have gained confidence from Saturday’s victory and know a similar energetic display can bear fruit at the Forthbank Stadium. The BU Faithful will be there to spur them on hoping to see their favourites win another three points in the quest to move up the table.
John Spowart
14 January 2022