Match Preview 2024 2025
Albion Rovers
Park’s Motor Group Lowland League
Newtown Park
Saturday 10 August 2024

Bo’ness United continue their quest for a competitive win this Saturday when Albion Rovers visit Newtown Park, the Coatbridge side having the complete set of results, a day one win at Gretna followed by a draw versus Caledonian Braves and the midweek loss at home to Broxburn Athletic. Meanwhile, taking advantage of their invitation into the SPFL Trust trophy Rovers have progressed to round two after a penalty kicks win at Hibernian B. Their reward is a home tie against Cowdenbeath on Tuesday night.

Last season’s fixtures were both tight affairs, Albion Rovers winning by a single Bright Okusan goal at Newtown with a no score draw at the Reigart Stadium. The match in Bo’ness was a particularly epic affair with a big crowd adding the special atmosphere of a night game under the lights, (Reports).

Bo’ness United are unhappy with the start to their season as this time last year they were sitting on top of the pile with maximum points after three games. One concern is the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the BU performances where against both University of Stirling and Tranent sub-par first half displays were followed by second half second half rallies. Unfortunately on both occasions, the second half improvements were spoiled the BUs losing late goals to ultimately lose the games. Conversely at East Stirlingshire the BUs put in a good first half showing but were unable to take the good form into the second half.

The game at Tranent on Tuesday night saw the home side go up in the first half but ten minutes into the second Smart Osadolor scored his first for Bo’ness. The BUs looked as if they could go on to win the game but, in the closing, stages a penalty decision against them saw them leave empty handed. (report)

Despite any concern there may be around the present situation, there is no panic at Newtown with the management team working to bed in the new players while considering what needs to be done to turn things round. Bo’ness have played well for spells in all the games played to date and the aim is to extend these time frames, increasing the chances of victories sooner rather than later. The BU Faithful have maintained a good presence at the games to date and hopefully they will be at Newtown Park tomorrow to continue the support for the team.

John Spowart
Friday 09 August 2024

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2023/2024

Date – Wednesday 23 August 2023

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Bo'ness United 0

Albion Rovers 1
(Okosun 74)

Bo’ness United narrowly lost out to Albion Rovers in an entertaining, closely fought game where the BUs had the better stats apart from the key one, going down to a single Rovers goal. Bo’ness the greater possession, had the most shots with Albion Rovers keeper Ross Connolly making the most saves.

Connolly set out his stall out early, making a great save from Scott Dalziel and the first half of the game saw the home side mostly on the attack. Rovers finally came into things and just before the break had a great chance to go ahead when Niyah Joseph was tripped in the box. The same player took the resulting penalty but BU keeper Musa Dibaga was equal to the task, pulling off a fine save.

In the second half the contest proved more equal as both teams looked for a goal. Rovers experienced a set back when Adam Ferrie was shown a second yellow card but it was the ten men who managed the vital strike. With fifteen minutes remaining Albion Rovers substitute Bright Okusan dispossessed Lewis McArthur in the box before angling a low shot into the opposite corner of the net. Bo’ness pushed forward looking to get the equaliser but were unable to get past the inform keeper. It was a first loss for the BUs who were unfortunate not to get at least a share of the points on the night.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson, Rutherford, Hawkins, McArthur, Henderson, Kennedy (Stenhouse 60) Gemmell (Mooney 75), Dalziel (Malcolm 60), Porteous, Grant (Johnston 83).
Subs (Not Used): Macaulay, Irving SG Fullerton

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2023/2024

Date – Saturday 24 February 2024

Competition –Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Albion Rovers 0

Bo'ness United 0

Bo’ness United left the Reigart Stadium with a hard-earned point after a tough encounter against Albion Rovers. In a game of few chances where both goalkeepers were rarely tested, the biggest moment came in the final minutes when the BUs were denied what they thought was a clear penalty. Before that, the large crowd witnessed what was a largely scrappy game where either team might have snatched the winner although a draw was probably a fair result.

Albion Rovers looked the better side in the first fifteen minutes or so although Bo’ness grew into the half that saw action at either side. There’s no doubt the BU defence was the busier in these early stages but proved effective in keeping the home side at bay who in turn had to do their own work to keep a clean sheet.

After the break Rovers scrambled to clear from a dangerous corner while BU keeper Musa Dibaga got down to make a good save. As the game wore on it increasingly looked like one goal would settle things although the lack of clear-cut chances made a draw the most likely outcome. However just before the end Tom Grant looked to have been tripped in the Rovers box but despite the vociferous appeals by the Bo’ness players the referee refused to give the penalty award. On top of this BU manager Stuart Hunter was shown an uncharacteristic red card, clearly convinced in the error of the judgement.

As it was there was to be no scoring and a point against a side who were on a three-game winning run at home must be considered a decent result for the BUs.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Hawkins, Rutherford (Macaulay 46) Travis, Irving, Gemmell (Stevenson 60), Mitchell, Johnston, Dalziel (Malcolm 68), Porteous, Kennedy (Grant 60). Subs (Not Used): Henderson, Hamilton, SG Ruddy:

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Tuesday 06 August 2024

Competition –Park’s Motors Group Lowland League

Tranent 2
(Hutchins 38, Brett 90+1 pen)

Bo'ness United
(Osadolor 56)

After the midweek trip to Tranent, Bo’ness United are still looking for their first win of the season after a narrow defeat at Foresters Park. On the balance of play a draw would have been a fairer result but as with University of Stirling a second half comeback was thwarted with a goal conceded in time added on.

The game started at a frantic pace, the sides going at each other with both getting early shots in on goal. As the first half progressed so did the home side with the BU defence working hard to keep them at bay. Seven minutes before half time Tranent did get ahead, a McGowan corner beyond the far post, Jake Hutchings heading back across goal, the ball finding the opposite corner of the net.

During the break the visiting fans bemoaned a disappointing performance so far but were delighted to see the BUs come out in the second half and take the game to their opponents. Ten minutes into the second half, the enterprise was rewarded after good play on the right finished with a great Ryan Stevenson cross, Smart Osadolor getting off the mark to head into the Tranent net. Bo’ness pushed on looking for a second with Tranent keeper Mason pulling off a fantastic save to stop his side going behind. Tranent were dangerous on the break winning a corner that saw Handling head over from close in. The game moved into time added on and a Tranent goal kick up the park saw Girdwood dash forward with Michael Travis in pursuit with his last-ditch tackle penalised. There was some doubt whether the foul was in or out of the box but the referee took advice from his assistant to give the penalty converted by Dean Brett. To compound the BU misery, Travis who had been previously booked was shown a second yellow card followed by a red.

After three games Bo’ness have only a single point compared to the maximum haul this time last season. In saying that, both defeats have been by the odd goal illustrating the fine margins at this point going against the BUs. Both have also seen Bo’ness having to retrieve a losing situation, something the manager is keen to sort out. With only two sides, Heart of Midlothian B and Berwick Rangers, on maximum points after three games there may be concern at the slow start but with the necessary adjustments Bo’ness can soon start to enjoy the winning feeling once more.

Bo'ness: Campbell, Stevenson, Macaulay, Duffy (Rutherford 46), Travis, Gemmell, Stenhouse, Johnston, Osadolor, Porteous (Grant 73), Nicol (Kennedy 76). Subs (Not Used): Hawkins, Henderson, Malcolm.