Bo'ness United 1-3 Caley Braves

"Fanview" Match Report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!
Lowland League
Bo’ness United v Caledonian Braves
Saturday 12/03/2022. KO : 15:00
Newtown Park, Bo’ness.

Bo’ness Team :
Murphy(Gk). Stevenson, Skinner, Hunter, Jacobs, Locke, Gemmell (C), Galbraith, Trialist, Smith, Mitchell.
Subs : Nicol, Flynn, Johnston.

After 3 games on the bounce away from home it’s back to Newtown Park for the BU today as we face the same Braves side we played just a fortnight ago. The match away was a decent encounter with Ryan Stevenson scoring one of the fastest goals in history after just a matter of seconds. Braves got back into it though and scored an equaliser further through the game meaning the points were shared. Since then it’s been fairly successful for the home side with a win away at Beith and a good perform e which probably deserved a win ending with a draw at Covil Service Strollers as the league cup campaign got underway.
It’s a busy schedule for Bo’ness just now with a host of midweek games coming up as well as Saturdays so even though there’s nothing really to play for other then pride in the league I’m sure the team will be eager to press on and keep up good momentum and confidence with good results and performances.
We know from a fortnight ago todays game won’t be easy with Braves giving a good account of themselves at home. Hopefully other than long term injuries Max will have a healthy squad to pick from for todays game and with no subs made in the last 2 games it will be interesting to see if he looks to his bench at some point today. Hopefully a good crowd as usual will be out to support the team and encourage the boys to keep up strong momentum for the coming weeks.
Also a quick mention for Beith last week who had a gift made up to present to our Committee including Iain’s sister in his memory a very nice touch from the Ayrshire side after the original game was postponed after the great Chairman’s sudden passing.

Into todays game then and it was a fairly even and quiet opening 15 minutes the only chance of note fell to the home side with a good ball from the left hand side that Galbraith met with a powerful header that went over the bar. 22 minutes in and the opening goal came a ball played forward along the deck was met by Hunter and as he looked to play it back it was a bit on the powerful side which sold his keeper short leaving the visitors to pounce and put the ball low into the corner of the net. BU 0 - 1 Braves. At the other end the home side tried to respond and a ball from wide left came to Jacobs who shot from the edge of the box only for the ball to be blocked then sent clear towards the half way line. The visitors almost doubled their lead on 35 minutes as a ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by the home defence and a shot came crashing back off the bar. 38 minutes and an injury concern for the home side as Smith went on for a tackle and seemed to go over on his ankle. The home physio tried her best but it was game over for Smith who was then replaced by Johnston.
Nothing much to report all half and with nothing else half time came.

Bo’ness United 0 - 1 Caledonian Braves.

Into the 2nd half and it was much the same as the 1st for the opening 8 minutes before the equalising goal came from the home side. A clear foul inside the box gave the referee no option but to point to the spot. Galbraith placed a penalty low and powerful into the corner of the net. BU 1 - 1 Braves.
Jacobs was alert at the back to head the ball clear at the back post as a decent cross was sent over from the near side. An injury to sub Johnston forced BU gaffer Max Christie into a 2nd change and it looked like he was being replaced Flynn however Flynn was soon sitting back down and it was Nicol who came on instead. 72 minutes in and Murphy was quick and alert off his line to make a brilliant interception on the edge of his box, his timing Impeccable to send the ball for a corner and not give away penalty. The corner was cleared but the ball was soon heading back towards the home goal with a low pass to the edge of the box, this time it was met with a touch then placed low into the corner beyond Murphy to restore the visitors lead. BU 1 - 2 Braves. A few minutes later and Flynn did come on as gaffer Max Christie used his 3rd and final available chance, the Trialist was the man to make way. It was soon game over as the visitors once again finished low into the net. 80 minutes played BU 1 - 3 Braves. Just a minute later and there was more danger for the home side this time Murphy was out to his best post narrowing the angle and making a good block. Into the final few minutes and it looked like a 4th as once again the visitors came towards the box the time however the shot was poor and went wide of the post.

Full time Bo’ness United 1 - 3 Caledonian Braves.