Bo’ness United wrapped up their preseason matches with a loss at West of Scotland Premier, and Scottish Junior Cup holders, Darvel. The final result, both goals scored in the final ten minutes probably flattered the home side as Bo’ness competed well throughout the game, missing some great chances.

The first half in particular saw Bo’ness come close with a Kieran Mitchell shot that beat the keeper only for the ball to hit the bar. The best opportunity to score came after twenty minutes when Ryan Porteous was bundled to the ground in the Darvel box but the same payer took the resulting spot kick only to see Darvel keeper Andrew Wilson make a great save. Just before the break Wilson made another fine save, this time palming a Kyle Johnston header over the bar. Darvel also had a couple of good chances with a Jonathan Black shot that was just wide of the far post and a Jordan Allan freekick shot that just curled past.

In the second half Darvel upped their game, Bo’ness having to do more defending. With less than ten minutes left, Darvel got their goals. The BU defence blocked an effort from Aidan Quinn but the ball fell to Jonathan Black who shot home from close in. On the whistle, substitute keeper Liam Campbell had already made one good save when he made a double save but again the ball broke free to Jordan Allan who smashed his shot into the top of the net.

A disappointing defeat but Bo’ness can take heart from a much-improved performance against one the top West teams and hopefully this can be reflected in the start of the campaign proper.

Bo'ness: Trialist (Campbell 67), Stevenson, Macaulay, Duffy (Hawkins 67), Travis, Irving (Gemmell 67), Kennedy, Johnston, Mitchell, Grant, Porteous (Henderson 46).

Match details

Match date

Sat 20 Jul 2024

Kickoff

14:00

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