Bo'ness United 3-0 Musselburgh Athletic

'Fanview' Match Report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

EOS Qualifying Cup Round 4
Bo’ness United v Musselburgh Athletic
Tuesday 08/02/2022. KO : 19:45

Bo’ness Team :
Murphy(Gk). J. McCormack, Skinner, Hunter, Stevenson. Hawkins, Nicol, Gemmell (c), Galbraith, Grant, Flynn.
Subs : Johnston, Wilson, McLeod.

It was meant to to be 2 difficult cup ties in a row for the BU with a trip to Ayrshire to face Beith and tonight’s home match against Musselburgh.
Saturdays game however was postponed on Friday after the devastating news that the Club Chairman Iain Muirhead had sadly passed away. Iain was a true gentleman and a friend who loved his football and loved Bo’ness United. He always had time for a chat whether it be about the club, football in general or anything else and he was always good for a bit of banter. Iain was also a fantastic chairman and what he done to progress Bo’ness United will never be forgotten. Thoughts go out to Iain's ’s family and friends at what is a really difficult time.

Tonight’s opponents are no strangers to us having played many times from back in the old junior days and we know they are a tough side who will arrive tonight well organised. The last round for the home side went all the way after leading 2-0 at Sauchie they pulled the match level and it remained at 2-2 throughout extra time going to penalties which Bo’ness won after Ex player Brian Morgan sent the ball into the trees behind the goal.

It will be an emotional night I’m sure for everyone but as always Max will have his players focused on the task in hand and I think what we really need is a good old fashioned cup tie which would certainly be a fine tribute to such a great man.

Into the match then and the minutes silence for Chairman Iain Muirhead with the flag flying at half mast was as expected perfectly observed. The home side got us underway attacking the goal towards Fisons and the visitors attacking the goal towards Kinneil School. The home side started the better of the 2 with the Musselburgh keeper called into action early on and continuing on the attack a corner came their way which was headed well clear. 21 minutes in and it looked like the opening goal, a brilliant diagonal pass to the edge of the box was well controlled and the Musselburgh keeper made a great save palming the ball away it fell to Flynn who had a shot blocked and when Grant picked it up 7 yards out it looked like a certain goal only for the ball to be struck wildly over the bar. A great opportunity that no question should have been put in the net. Nicol was next to work the visiting keeper with a shot from just inside the box again the Musselburgh man was equal to it. A free kick from Galbraith was superbly delivered to the back post where the resulting header was cleared almost on the line with the home side playing well and looking by far the better side the only thing missing was a goal from the many opportunities so far. More good play from the home side saw a ball through to Stevenson on the left of the box his cross then blocked by the visiting defence. 40 minutes in and the same ball again found Stevenson this time he took a touch or 2 towards goal cutting inside and sent a shot across the keeper low into the net. Finally a reward for the dominance from the home side this half, Bo’ness 1 - 0 Musselburgh. Skinner made a good tackle as the visitors got forward right on half time stopping any danger before it came to the box. Gemmell won the ball back well between the box and the centre circle as a very 1 sided 1st half came to an end.

Half time Bo’ness United 1 - 0 Musselburgh Athletic.

Into the 2nd half and before we got underway BU gaffer Max Christie replaced Danny Galbraith with Johnston. Again the home side started brightly with a free kick met at the back post by McCornack who’s shot went over the bar. It should then have been 2-0 as Johnston blasted wildly over the bar with a free shot from 8 yards. Just minutes later and a cross from the left was met by McCormack who worked the visiting keeper with a good low shot on target. A free kick on the edge of the box gave the home side their next chance and with the shot blocked the ball was played back in and tapped into the net only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside. 68 minutes and the BU doubled their lead McCormack played a great ball to Nicol who skipped past his opponent and laid a fantastic ball on to Flynn who made no mistake sending the ball past a helpless keeper into the net with a sublime strike. BU 2 - 0 Musselburgh. Even now against the wind the home side were dominating. McCormack had a brilliant shot palmed away by the visiting keeper. 12 minutes left and the 2nd change for the home side saw Grant replaced by McLeod. 4 minutes to go and the dominance of the home side was shown once again Nicol who looked fantastic on the ball all night broke forward skipping past opposition players and broke into the box, Stevenson took over and finished the move with a great strike low into the net doubling his goal tally for the evening. BU 3 - 0 Musselburgh. Into added time and Captain Michael Gemmell turned physio for a minute as a Musselburgh man went down with cramp. Nicol was the replaced to a rousing applause after an exceptional display by Wilson a nice touch from gaffer Max Christie allowing the young man credit for his performance, Wilson took his place. A comfortable victory and dominant display by the BU all in honour of Iain.

Full time Bo’ness United 3 - 0 Musselburgh Athletic.