Bo'ness United 5-1 Gretna 2008

'Fanview' Match Report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!
Lowland League
Bo’ness United v Gretna 2008
Saturday 12/03/2022. KO : 15:00
Newtown Park, Bo’ness.

Bo’ness Team :
Adamson (Gk). Stevenson, Gemmell (c), Macauley, Jacobs, Hawkins, Galbraith, Nicol, Walker, Locke, Mitchell.
Subs : Murphy, McLeod, Flynn, Grant.

A fixture that has been rescheduled twice firstly from Boxing day to a day later on December 27th then cancelled for then due to Covid issues for todays visitors.
Not a lot of positives for the BU faithful going into this one a defeat midweek in the league cup to Edinburgh University preceded by another defeat in the league last weekend. In fact looking back the last time Bo’ness won a league game was all the back on the 8th of January at home to Cumbernauld Colts. Add to that midweek there was no less than 9 players out injured or unwell so it’s only a guess as I write this before the game who will be available and who won’t. Midweek Bo’ness had 11 players and 2 substitutes one of which was coach Blair Munn. Anyways enough of negatives on a positive note these sides have met twice both times Bo’ness travelling to Gretna firstly for a league game where we got a narrow victory and just a couple of weeks later a cup tie which Bo’ness won by a fair margin.
On current league form what will happen today is anyones guess, but recently other than on Tuesday night Bo’ness have been better in the cups than the league if we’re honest. However even with nothing to play for in he league but pride I’m sure Gaffer Max Christie along with the players and coaches all know that the results have to be better if nothing else to restore pride and to try and get the crowds back as it was a very evidently quiet Newtown Park on Tuesday night. A positive result to restore confidence would be a big boost given that there’s still midweek and Saturday games for the foreseeable weeks.

Into todays game then and after a fairly even opening 10 minutes Adamson in the BU goal was called into action getting down well to make a good save. 14 minutes and we got the opening goal, a good ball played to Jacobs saw him unleash a thunderbolt beyond the Gretna keeper and into the net. An exceptionally good opening goal to make it BU 1 - 0 Gretna. A few minutes later and the visiting keeper was alert to get down quickly and smother a decent shot from Mitchell even though it was straight at him so looked a routine stop. Nicol was next to bring a save from the Gretna keeper and on 23 minutes it was 2-0. Hawkins rose above everyone to power a fantastic header into the net. BU 2 - 0 Gretna. 29 minutes and a pass back saw the Gretna keeper look to go over on his ankle causing a stop in play for treatment. A few minutes later and the visitors were changing the keeper as the first substitution of the match. Bo’ness were putting on a show for the fans today as 2 minutes from half time the home side started a good move on the left and as the ball was passed across the edge of the box it fell to Lennon Walker who took a couple of touches before unleashing a fantastic shot into the top corner. BU 3 - 0 Gretna. There was time for the visitors to centre the ball and play a few passes before the referee brought the first half to a close.

Bo’ness United 3 - 0 Gretna 2008.

Into the second half and before we got underway Tom Grant replaced Captain Michael Gemmell. The visitors brought a couple of saves out of Adamson the first a top class save from a close range header. Just a moment later again a good save kept the visitors out but soon at the other end there was no let up on the goals from the home side. Mitchell was onto a through ball and from inside the 6 yard box produced a deft flick into the net. The visitors were going for it this half and another shot was stopped this time Adamson was down low to his left. 66 minutes and Mitchell had his 2nd goal of the match as he latched onto a through ball and produced an exquisite finish lifting the ball over the keeper and tucking it into the corner of the net. BU 5 - 0 Gretna. BU gaffer Max Christie made his second change as Matty Flynn replaced Danny Galbraith. Mitchell was hungry for his hat trick as he done really well with the ball at his feet running into the box with it beating a couple of players before releasing an angled drive from around 8 yards that was well saved by the Gretna keeper. 64 minutes and a clear foul had the referee pointing to the spot and on a hat trick Mitchell was handed the ball to give him the chance. Unfortunately the hat trick didn’t come as the poor lad seemed to scuff his shot there was no power behind it and no placment either as the ball went into the welcoming arms of the visiting keeper. A minute later and a 3rd change from the home side saw McLeod replace Macaulay. Just inside the final 10 minutes and some good passing allowed a ball to come over the box from the far side their keeper was equal to it clutching it inside his 6 yard box. Walker was again testing the keeper this time curling a shot from the edge of the box that looked to be heading for the top corner the visiting keeper producing a top save to keep the ball out. Mitchell again almost had his hat trick that he was trying so hard for this time lobbing a shot from just inside the box that looked to be looping into the net but somehow the Gretna keeper at full stretch and bending backwards somehow managed to get his fingertips to it and keep it out. Right on 90 minutes just when it looked like a clean sheet for the home side Gretna grabbed a consolation goal. BU 5 - 1 Gretna.
Little more action other than the home side seeing out a much needed win and some much needed goals to boost the confidence overall a very good team performance.
Full time Bo’ness United 5 - 1 Gretna 2008.