The Spartans 1-3 Bo'ness United

"Fanview" Match report submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

Lowland League cup - North East Section
Spartans v Bo’ness United
Saturday 26/03/2022. KO : 15:00
Ainslie Park, Edinburgh.

Bo’ness Team : Adamson (Gk). Stevenson, Hunter, Hawkins, Jacobs, Nicol, Galbraith, Gemmell (c), Walker, Locke, Mitchell.
Subs : Murphy (Gk), Macaulay, Flynn, Skinner, Munn.

After another cup victory against Petershill midweek Bo’ness continue their good cup runs so far however a bit of fortune will be required to remain in the league cup.
Bo’ness go into this one on the back of a draw and a defeat in their section from Civil Service Strollers and Edinburgh university respectively. The final game takes us to Spartans where to have any chance a win is a must but we also have to hope the result between the other 2 goes our way.
Spartans visited Newtown Park in the league earlier in the season and Bo’ness fans won’t want to remember it as a 2 goal lead was thrown away and the visitors took 3 points back to Edinburgh.
Finally before we get into todays game once again a big happy 40th to our Player/Assistant manager and absolute legend Stuart Hunter. What this guy has done for the club over the years I’d be here all day writing, an absolute stalwart of the club and a fantastic guy both on and off the pitch. It’s also Stuart’s testimonial season with plenty plans already in place starting with a Race night in Fisons a week today so if you haven’t got your tickets there’s still some available for what should be a brilliant night.

Into todays game then and the visitors got us underway in glorious Edinburgh sunshine. The home keeper was called into action early on as a through ball was struck from inside the box towards him then in an action packed opening to the match at the other end the ball came back off the post from a low drive. Moments later Adamson in the Bo’ness goal was alert to read a through ball situation rushing out his box to play sweeper keeper and clear away any danger. 15 minutes and the opening goal came the ball was played across to Nicol from the near side and he curled a stunning strike into the top corner. Spartans 0 - 1 BU. Big appeals for a penalty from the visitors as the goalkeeper had a clearance charged down and tried to recover bringing Nicol to the ground but the match referee waved away the appeals ordering play on. 32 minutes and the woodwork was struck again by the home side as they searched for an equaliser this time the ball landed at the feet of Spartans and with the goal gaping it looked like a tap in to level but instead the ball was crossed to no one and cleared by the visiting defence. After a couple of Spartans corners came to nothing a free kick at the other end gave the visitors a chance to get a ball into the box. Both sides looked good in possession for spells and both had chances but still as half time approached it was just the one goal that separated the 2 sides. Nicol did well on the right side of the box cutting inside and beating his man before the ball was just too far in front of him and was cleared. That was to be the last action of the half.

Spartans 0 - 1 Bo’ness United.

Into the 2nd half and an early free kick allowed the home side to send a ball into the box from the far side, Adamson in the Bo’ness goal got a good strong hand to it and palmed the ball well clear of any danger. The equaliser came for the home side on 53 minutes when they got a corner. In came the ball and no one was picking up inside the 6 yard box leaving a free header which was gratefully accepted. Spartans 1 - 1 BU.

Hawkins had a header saved by the home keeper as Bo’ness looked to restore their lead. Stevenson done really well out wide and forced a corner after some good ball control. He took the corner and it was curled into the 6 yard box but narrowly missed at the the back post. 64 minutes and a brilliant goal restored the visitors lead. A perfectly weighted through ball from Locke found Galbraith running in and as the keeper advanced Galbraith calmly slotted the ball into the net without breaking stride. Fantastic set up with such a long pass so perfectly played and a fantastic finish. Spartans 1 - 2 BU. The home side searched once more for an equaliser and their manager made 4 substitutions at once before they came closest with a shot just wide of the post. At the other end Locke had a go from distance with a really good driven shot that was well on target and stung the gloves of the home keeper to keep the ball out the net. Mitchell and Nicol linked up well on the edge of the box to give Nicol a shot at goal that was charged down and blocked. 6 minutes to go and the tie looked to be complete for the visitors a sheer brilliant finish from Gregor Nicol after Stevenson sent a cross in and made it Spartans 1 - 3 BU. The visitors comfortably seen out the final few minutes plus the couple added on. Full time Spartans 1 - 3 Bo’ness United.

The result of the other game went the way of Bo’ness with Edinburgh Uni beating Civil Service strollers 2-1 meaning both Edinburgh Uni and Bo’ness qualify from the group.