Bo'ness United 0-6 East Kilbride

"Fanview" Match Report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

Lowland League
Bo’ness United v East Kilbride
Saturday 09/04/2022. KO 15:00.
Newtown Park, Bo’ness.

Bo’ness Team :
Murphy(Gk). J. McCormack, Hawkins, Macauley, Jacobs. Nicol, Johnston, Gemmell (C), Walker, Flynn, Wilson.
Subs : Hunter, Stevenson.

The last home league game for the BU today as we welcome East Kilbride. That leaves 4 away confirmed fixtures Civil Service Strollers this coming Tuesday and Spartans next Saturday. The following Saturday is reserved for the league Cup Quarter Final which is yet to be drawn. The Saturday after which will be the 30th is the furthest away trip we have to Dalbeattie Star after that game was postponed earlier in the season which will be closely followed by Gala Fairydean Rovers on Wednesday 5th of may after the original fixture was abandoned due to heavy snow that started as the game did. Other than that it’s just the league cup quarter final which hasn’t yet been drawn so as well as being the last home league game it could possibly be the last home game this season depending on the one remaining chance at silverware.
In midweek Bo’ness put up a good fight to earn a draw in the local derby at The Falkirk Staduim against East Stirlingshire and credit where it’s due after playing twice a week for well over a month the BU battled with just 11 players available with even the subs unfit and should a change have been needed the only option would have been coach Blair Munn from what I’ve been told.
As for todays game the BU lost in the opposite fixture earlier in the season and will be looking to right that today in front of hopefully a decent crowd due to it being possibly our final home match.
Finally before we get into the match big shout to the United Club which I am happy to be a part of as it’s our Chippy night so a few beers a chat and chippy after the match. The United club has supported the management and committee helping to bring players to the club and anyone is welcome to join just pop in and see us on a match day. Big thanks must go to Colin for all the organisation he does with the club along with our committee members and of course our Barmen Tam & Henry who serve the drinks and again to Henry as he’s the man that goes to the chippy for the order.
Another mention to all of our 84 Scottish Junior Cup Winning Team who are being welcomed to the hospitality today and also being brought out on the pitch at half time to see the fans many of who will remember those glory days all too well.
It should have been in the match report last week when we played them but Congratulations to Bonnyrigg Rose on securing the Lowland League title and a shot at promotion through the play offs.
Lastly as I mentioned it last week Stuart Hunters race night was a brilliant night and good to catch up with some previous players and friends and have a good night out. I hope big hunts enjoyed it as much as we all did.

Now for todays game and as always with Lowland League fixtures it will be a tough one even with both sides only playing for pride.
Hopefully BU gaffer Max Christie will have a bigger pool of players available to at least give him some options but whoever is available and plays as always I’m sure will give their all.

Into the match then and for the 1st time I’ve seen it’s an all female line up of officials as we got underway. In the opening 10 minutes Murphy was called into action as a through ball left him exposed 1 on 1 a good block to his left hand side stopped the visitors taking the lead. The home side were under pressure again as a curling cross came in which Murphy dealt with punching it clear of any danger. As the game settled in the home side really we’re struggling to get any grip on it with East Kilbride having the lions share of possession and knocking the ball about really well. On 22 minutes a simple ball played long was latched onto beating the home defence and Murphy couldn’t do anything about the finish. BU 0 - 1 East Kilbride. The domination from the visitors paid off on 32 minutes when a ball was played quickly out to the right hand side and a brilliant cross went over between the 6 yard box and penalty spot was met and finished absolutely superbly with a volley high into the net, the marking was poor from Bo’ness as it was a free hit but take nothing away from the finish it was top class. BU 0 - 2 East Kilbride. Fast forward 3 minutes and a low ball from midfield found the feet of East Kilbride, Hawkins tried to challenge but was very easily brushed aside then 1 on 1 with Murphy the ball was slotted low into the corner. BU 0 - 3 East Kilbride. The home side did get forward and a MacAuley effort for a corner but other than that it was a dominating half from the visitors as the home side allowed them to run over the top of them.

Half time Bo’ness United 0 - 3 East Kilbride.

Into the 2nd half and before it got underway The Boys really were back in town as the 1984 Junior Cup winning team were on the pitch being introduced to the fans and the legends got a rousing reception.

The 2nd half started much the same as the game had been played with the visitors having most of the ball. 63 minutes and it was again a simply ball forward through the middle leaving Murphy exposed and a shot hit low into the net. BU 0 - 4 East Kilbride. Just 6 minutes later it was more misery for the home side as once again the ball forward wasn’t picked up on and another simple pass forward put the visitors in on goal and again they made no mistake finding the net. BU 0 - 5 East Kilbride. 9 minutes to go and Murphy was down low making a save with his left leg as once again a ball into the box was met and this firm fired towards goal 1st time. 5 minutes from time and as if thugs couldn’t get worse for the home side a shot from Wilson that looked to be heading in was blocked near the line by Flynn his own player, it really was becoming a day to forget for the home side. Yes there’s injuries, yes there’s been a lot of games in quick succession and yes the team look absolutely dead on their feet but no excuses today; it really was the East Kilbride show overall and they were deserved winners today. Into the final 5 minutes and a fantastic double save from Murphy as 2 shots were fired at him in quick succession he done really well to keep the score to 5. Into the final couple of minutes and the visitors capped off a good day for them and a miserable day for the home side with a tap in to make it 6.

Full time Bo’ness united 0 - 6 East Kilbride.