Match Preview 2024 2025
Tranent
Park’s Motor Group Lowland League
Foresters Park
Tuesday 10 August 2024

It’s a midweek trek to East Lothian as Bo’ness United visit Tranent, both teams seeking their first victory of the season. In the corresponding fixture this time last year two first half goals from Tom Grant and Scott Dalziel proved good enough to better Kallum Higginbotham’s second half penalty conversion. Tranent did get their revenge in the return, scoring two without reply courtesy of Broque Watson and Cammy Ross. (Reports)

So far this season Tranent have drawn at Cowdenbeath but on Saturday went down at home to Berwick Rangers. It’s not the start they were looking for as they want to improve on last season’s fifth place in the table. Bo’ness have also made a disappointing start given they were on maximum points at this time last year and are keen to get a win under their belts. Saturday’s game at East Stirlingshire provided mixed fortunes for Bo’ness with a good first half although only a single Gregor Nicol goal to show for their efforts. The second half proved more difficult with the Shire striking back early on through Jamie Penker. In the end a draw was probably a fair result. (Report)

Tranent have made a number of signings this season and Bo’ness have also added to their squad with new and returning faces. The latest recruits see Lucas Stenhouse return on loan from Livingston and Gregor Nicol, who enjoyed a successful time at Bo’ness a few seasons ago, is back this time on loan from East Fife. The latest addition is striker Smart Osadolor, signed from Bonnyrigg Rose and it is hoped all the new players can fit in soon to see Bo’ness enjoy another positive campaign.

Tranent has always been a difficult place to go although Bo’ness have experienced successful visits to Foresters Park in the past. Another well supported team, Tranent will enjoy a vociferous backing from the home fans and the BU players hope to have a noisy visiting support there to match. The BUs are underdogs for this contest but every player will do their utmost to upset the odds and get a positive result on the night.

John Spowart
Monday 05 August 2024

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2023/2024

Date – Saturday 29 July 2023

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Tranent 1
(Higginbotham 75 pen)

Bo'ness United 2
(Grant 28, Dalziel 45+1)

Bo’ness United made it three from three with a tremendous victory against ambitious Lothian League Title hopefuls Tranent. The home side were favourites to win but it was Bo’ness who made the early running creating a number of chances although were unable to make the final touch. Undaunted the BUs continued to press and fifteen minutes before the break took a well deserved lead as Tranent keeper Kelby Mason was unable to hold a Ryan Porteous lob and from ten yards Tom Grant was quickest to react forcing the ball into the Tranent.

Trying to respond Tranent enjoyed their best period of the half but were unable to make the breakthrough, Kallum Higginbotham’s free kick cross missed by Robbie McIntyre and Cameron Ross’s shot across goal tipped away by BU keeper Musa Dibaga. Tranent also had two free kick opportunities, an Alassan Jones shot going high over and a Kallum Higginbotham effort crashing against the BU defensive wall. As it was rather than getting back at Bo’ness, Tranent conceded again with Scott Dalziel connecting with a long high kickout from keeper Musa Dibaga, his glancing header from the edge of the box looping high over Mason the ball dropping in just under the bar.

With the need to score to give them any chance of taking something from the game Tranent threw everything into the second half. As hard as they tried though they struggled to break down a resolute Bo’ness who were also getting forward hoping to catch their hosts out on the break. With fifteen minutes remaining Tranent did get a goal when Ryan Stevenson brought down Lennon Walker in the box and Kallum Higginbotham converted from the spot. Desperate for an equaliser Tranent doubled their efforts but there was no panic in the Bo’ness ranks who might have scored again just before the end with a John James Henderson ball across the goal that was only missing the touch to convert.

A great start to the season with victories at two difficult venues although Bo’ness are well aware it’s early days and no one at Newtown will be getting carried away only looking as far as the next game.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson, Rutherford (Ward 68), Hawkins, McArthur, Henderson, Stenhouse (Irving 76), Johnston (Gemmell 76), Dalziel (Malcolm 65), Porteous, Grant (Kennedy 76).
Subs (Not Used): Mooney SG Fullerton

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2023/2024

Date – Saturday 09 December 2023

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Bo'ness United 0

Tranent 2
(Watson 40, Ross 90+3)

A goal late in each half gave Tranent all the points and saw Bo’ness United lose their third game in a row while dropping to fifth place in the table.

Bo’ness competed well in a frantic first half and had a good early chance, Lewis McArthur heading over from a Tom Grant corner. There was action at both ends but five minutes before half time it was Tranent who made the breakthrough when a low cross from Dean Brett went beyond the far post where Broque Watson had space to side foot his shot into the net.

Tranent upped their game in the second half and Bo’ness struggled to make an impact. They did get forward at times but were unable to convert and lost a second goal in time added on. From a throw deep inside their own half Bo’ness were unable to clear and the ball was played into the box where Cammy Ross was quickest nipping in to slot into the empty net.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Irving, Macaulay, Travis, McArthur, Gemmell (Henderson 74), Stenhouse, Foster, Dalziel (Johnston 60), Grant (Mooney 60). Porteous, Subs (Not Used): Stevenson, Malcolm, Kennedy SG Ritchie

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Saturday 03 August 2024

Competition –Park’s Motors Group Lowland League

East Stirlingshire 1
(Penker 49)

Bo'ness United 1
(Nicol 20)

Bo’ness United collected their first point of the Lowland League campaign in a draw at East Stirlingshire where the outcome could have gone either way.

There was a decent crowd in the Falkirk Stadium, both sides well represented and in the first few minutes, goal efforts at both ends gave promise of what may follow. As the half developed, Bo’ness looked the better side, threatening going forward while dealing with anything the Shire threw at them. The BUs went ahead in twenty minutes when Lewis Hawkins chased a ball, pressuring a mix up between defender and keeper allowing Gregor Nicol to benefit, firing his comeback goal into the unguarded net.

Despite creating a number of chances Bo’ness were unable to add to their tally and the second half saw a rejuvenated Shire get at the BU rearguard. Within four minutes they were back in the game after good play on the left finished with a ball across goal landing at the feet of the unmarked Jamie Penker to fire home from six yards out. The Shire were looking the more dangerous side although Bo’ness came close to regaining the lead when a good move saw new signing Smart Osadolor cut inside to curl a great shot that smacked off the underside of the Shire crossbar before being cleared. Chances were created at either end but with no more scoring, each side having to be content with the point.

Bo'ness: Campbell, Hawkins (Irving 56), Macaulay, Duffy, Travis, Henderson, Stenhouse, Grant (Johnston 65), Osadolor, Porteous (Kennedy 88), Nicol. Subs (Not Used): Stevenson, Gemmell, Malcolm, Trialist.