Bo'ness United 3-0 EK Thistle

Fanview Match Report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

South Challenge Cup Round 3
Bo’ness United v East Kilbride Thistle
Saturday 20/11/21
Kick off 15:00
Newtown Park, Bo’ness

Bo’ness Team :
Murphy(Gk). Nicol, Hunter, Skinner, Peggie, Hawkins, Macauley, Gemmell(c), Locke, Anderson, Flynn.

Subs : Stevenson, Wilson, Johnston.

What seems like a regular occurrence today, a home cup tie for the BU, we’re more used to be drawn away from home in cups the way the draw usually goes even before becoming a senior team the Juniors always seemed to throw up the same scenario.
Today sees Bo’ness play round three of the competition without having played a match in it so far. A round one bye led to us being drawn against Kirkcaldy & Dysart in round two, however they were unable to field a team on the day of the match and after going to a review panel the tie was awarded to Bo’ness.
Todays opponents will be known to Bo’ness, especially to the past players who regularly come along to matches and to many supporters who travelled to Ibrox in 1983 for Junior cup final. A chance today then for the current Bo’ness team to right the wrongs of that day as East Kilbride Thistle lifted the Junior Cup at the expense of Bo’ness United. The two sides have never met again since that day so I’m sure a little extra push will already be there for the match.

First half then and within five minutes the visitors had the ball in the net. A free kick from just outside the box was stuck well towards goal and Murphy made a good stop palming the ball away, it was however met at close range and slotted into the net only for the linesman to have his flag up for offside. At the other end a shot was deflected for a corner which unfortunately for the home side was well defended. The home side then looked to get away with one as a cross came into the box and it looked like hand ball, the appeals from EK were loud however they were waved away by the referee. 32 minutes and we had the opening goal a good move forward saw a quick 1-2 played by Locke who then calmly slotted the ball low into the net. BU 1 - 0 EK. The visitors tried to get back into the game as a ball into the box was defended for a corner which was swung in well to the six yard area leaving Murphy to punch it clear of any danger. A shot come cross was covered by Murphy as the ball sailed over the bar while at the other end a shot from distance went wide of the post with a couple of minutes left to half time. A far from vintage first half from the home side but a lead none the less.

Bo’ness United 1 - 0 East Kilbride Thistle.

Into the second half and it was the home side with the brighter start. Flynn did really well cutting inside and beating his man and the ball almost broke for a shot on the edge of the box however an awkward bounce took the ball just too far away from the Bo’ness man. 21 minutes into the half and Murphy was called into action making a fantastic save as a shot from distance stung his gloves. At the other end after quick distribution the home side got a second goal Nicol slotting home from close range. BU 2 - 0 EK. A chance for the home side saw Stevenson replace Hawkins and just a few minutes later it was Johnston replacing captain Michael Gemmell. 15 minutes to go and Flynn ran onto a ball through midfield and once he got into the box he laid off a lovely cut back for Macauley who slotted low into the bottom corner. BU 3 - 0 EK. That was to be the final touch from Flynn as he was taken off and replaced by Wilson. Just a few minutes to go and Murphy was quick off his line to block a shot from a through ball only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside as the home side looked to be seeing the game out. A ball down the left was blocked but sent forward again by the home side as they kept the ball until the referee blew for full time.

Bo’ness United 3 - 0 East Kilbride Thistle.