Caledonian Braves 1-1 Bo'ness United

'Fanview' Match Report by BRYAN COPELAND!

Lowland League
Caledonian Braves v Bo’ness United
Saturday 26/02/2022. KO : 15:00
Alliance Park, Motherwell

BU Team :
Murphy (Gk). J. McCormack, Skinner, Hunter, Stevenson, Nicol, Grant, Galbraith, Jacobs (c), Hawkins, Smith.
Subs : Johnston, McLeod, Flynn.

Another defeat last week leaves Bo’ness still in search of the winning train again. Injuries recently and suspension haven’t helped but it’s becoming habit to loose which simply must stop.
On a positive note it’s a new ground for the BU and travelling fans as we make our 1st trip to Alliance Park to face Caledonian Braves who were formerly Edusport Academy but renamed themselves. It the 1st game between the 2 this season with the original fixture postponed when due to be played so the Braves also still have to make a trip to Newtown Park.
As for todays game who knows what’s in store there is effort there but some poor performances and conceding set pieces have cost us dear with the last 2 games losing 7 goals which Max I’m sure will know isn’t good enough and will be doing everything he can to put it right. Hopefully the usual large visiting support will still be there to offer the team some encouragement as we look to turn around our fortunes and start climbing the table rather than dropping down.
The players will know that even though we won’t be near the top of the table we also shouldn’t be too close for comfort to the bottom but that said there is still cups that can be won and every player I’m sure will trying to impress the manager for a spot in those teams.

Into todays game then and probably the quickest goal in the league so far as from the kick off Braves sold the keeper short and Stevenson picked up the ball and slammed it into the net off the post. Must have been 10 seconds and the ball was in the net. Braves 0 - 1 BU. The home side tried to respond and on 9 minutes a good ball out to the far side then saw the ball rolled across the 6 yard area with only a good block clearing any danger. Once again loads of space was left on the far side and Murphy had to bail out his defence with a brilliant save 1 on 1. The visitors hadn't learned their lesson and monents later it was the same ball and the same situation, once again Murphy was up to the task alert and got down well to smother the ball. Since the goal the home side were dominating proceedings specially with their balls down the far side and good deliveries into the box again another came in this time Murphy was quick off his line to clear the danger. Moments later it was more of the same this time the ball made it over towards the penalty spot where Jacobs headed clear. 24 minutes and once again Murphy was called into action turning the ball away for a corner which thankfully came to nothing. The amount of chances created by the home side so far was unbelievable and it was hard to believe the visitors still held their 1 goal lead given the opportunities the home side have had so far. 29 minutes and once again Murphy was busy this time saving a shot from distance after once again the ball was worked down the far side by Braves. 37 minutes and a brilliant corner was fantastically palmed away by Murphy for another which was again well taken into the 6 yard box and this time punched well clear by the BU keeper. It only took a minute for the home side to get another corner this time headed wide of the post. Couple of minutes to half turn and finally the ball was at the other end with the home side having to clear a cross from the right. A lot to ponder for the visitors at the break although a goal up they were completely dominated by the home side who created several good chances in front of goal and only really thanks to Andy Murphy the score line remained as it was all half.

Half time Caledonian Braves 0 - 1 Bo’ness United.

Into the 2nd half and an early corner for the visitors was swung into the box well, McCormack met it only for his header to come back off the post. At the other end Jacobs stayed composed to calmly clear the ball from inside the box. And just moments later Hawkins was booting the ball clear. Finally on 52 minutes the goal that had been coming all game with pressure from the home side a good ball forward followed by a great strike which left the visiting keeper no chance. Braves 1 - 1 BU. Good quick sharp 1 touch play from the visitors ended in a good ball coming over the box which was headed clear by the Braves defence. Then at the other end once again the dangerous ball that had been catching the BU out all day was once again causing problems this turn Stevenson done well to clear the ball from inside his own box. 65 minutes and the 1st change for BU gaffer Max Christie saw Galbraith replaced by Flynn. The home side were comfortably knocking the ball about before a bit of relief came for the visitors when they won a corner on the near side. From it the home side quickly broke forward looking dangerous, Jacobs to the rescue for Bo’ness with a fantastic interception. 7 minutes to go and a couple of good long throws into the box by Jacobs had to be defended by the home side which they did comfortably. Inside the final 5 minutes and a free kick on the right was swung into the box by Braves, Murphy comfortably held onto the ball coming off his line to claim it. At the other end Stevenson done well and had a chance to cross unfortunately his ball towards the back post was just too high and missed everyone in the box. Murphy again confidently claimed the ball as it came towards the far post before quickly distributing it into the path of Stevenson who set off down the left looking dangerous only to be stopped with a good tackle not far outside the box. Into added time and a good ball almost had Stevenson in but again the home defence were equal to it. The last action saw Jacobs calmly clearing at the other end and after 3 minutes of added time the referee brought the match to a close.

Full time Caledonian Braves 1 - 1 Bo’ness United.