Bo’ness United make the first competitive visit to Albyn Park in over five years where Broxburn Athletic awaits, hoping to continue their impressive start to life in the Lowland League. With five wins from seven starts the Badgers sit fourth in the table. Their only defeats were at Linlithgow Rose and on Saturday went down at home to Title favourites East Kilbride. Three of their wins have been at home to Broomhill, Cumbernauld Colts and Gala Fairydean Rovers while they have prevailed at Albion Rovers and Gretna 2008.

That last visit to Broxburn in the East of Scotland League finished one each, BU keeper Andy Murphy making a rare mistake to put into his own net but Ryan Stevenson equalised in the second half. (Report – Kevin McAlpine) Since then Stevenson has now made over two hundred appearances for the BUs with others from that day, Michael Gemmell and Tom Grant still part of the Bo’ness squad. Current manager Stuart Hunter was also part of that team. In the Broxburn side was Nick Locke who moved to Bo’ness soon after but has since returned to Albyn Park. A more recent player who enjoyed a successful season at Bo’ness, Alassan Jones before moving to Tranent is now also at Broxburn and is clearly one of many players the BUs need to watch out for on Tuesday.

After a slow start to the Lowland League campaign this time round Bo’ness have won their last three games and the win against Gretna 2008 saw them jump from eleventh to seventh in the table. The Gretna game proved tough but first half goals by Lucas Stenhouse and Smart Osadolor put Bo’ness on their way with a Louis Kennedy strike just before the end sealing the points (Report). The Broxburn fixture represents another stiff test for Bo’ness where there is little room for error to achieve a good result.

It's a short journey to Broxburn who have seen an increase in their core support and the BU faithful will have their own competition to make sure they can be heard as they encourage the Bo’ness players to achieve a positive result.

John Spowart
02 September 2024

27/07/19 Central Taxis East of Scotland League Premier Division

Broxburn Athletic 1 Bo’ness United 1

Scorers:
Broxburn – Murphy OG 36
Bo’ness – Stevenson 73

The first game of the season is anticipated with excitement by supporters including seeing new players signed in the close season. Bo’ness had Thomas Grant in midfield and Mark McLean and Terry Hewitt were on the bench. The rest of the squad were all familiar faces apart from a trialist forward and goalkeeper listed as substitutes. Ian Nimmo and Craig Comrie were both injured. Other than new personnel the BUs sported new strips, the players wearing squad numbers, a new development for this season.
Before the kick off the players observed a minute’s silence to remember long time BU supporter Tom Chambers who recently passed away.
Both teams wanted to get a good start to their campaign resulting in a fast-paced early part of the game with exchanges at either end. Nick Lock fired a free kick shot easily held by BU keeper Andy Murphy while a Stuart Hunter cross was cleared by the Broxburn defence. Murphy was again in action, punching clear from a Craig Scott corner and a Brian Morgan snap shot from the edge of the Broxburn box just cleared the bar.
Bo’ness enjoyed a period where they dominated the play without threatening but it was the home side who started to look dangerous. A good move finished with a shot by Connor Kelly well saved by Murphy turning the ball round the post. However, in 36 minutes Broxburn went ahead after a rare mistake by Murphy. Andy Gillan looped one over from the right and although the Bo’ness keeper looked to have the cross covered, he dropped the ball and despite managing to pull it back towards him the assistant signalled the ball had crossed the goal line.
This spurred Bo’ness into action but despite the effort they managed only a Ryan Stevenson shot, easily saved by Connor Wallace just before the break.
Into the second half and Bo’ness looked better, another shot from Stevenson testing the Broxburn keeper and a dangerous Chris Donnelly cut back did not find a target. Bo’ness introduced new player Mark McKenzie and Fraser Keast while changing the formation and it looked to have had an immediate impact as Stuart Hunter headed home, but an assistant’s offside flag disappointed both players and supporters alike. That was in 65 minutes but eight minutes later Bo’ness did pull a goal back. Devon Jacobs crossed from the right and Broxburn keeper, Wallace was only able to partially clear the ball landing nicely for Stevenson who volleyed home from just inside the box.
Former BU Craig Scott spurned a good opportunity to shoot wide at the far post and just before the end Ian Nimmo’s young brother Ross saw his lob beat Bo’ness keeper Murphy but the ball also cleared the bar.
Bo’ness United wanted to start with a win but, given they did not play well, were happy to leave with a point. The BUs know they can play better and know they must play better if they want to make an impact in the top division this season

Bo’ness: Murphy, Jacobs, Syme, Snowdon (Keast 64), Campbell, Hunter, Gemmell, Grant, Donnelly (McKenzie 64), Morgan, Stevenson.

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Saturday 31 August 2024

Competition –Park’s Motors Group Lowland League

Bo'ness United 3
(Stenhouse 42, Osadolor 45, Kennedy 85)

Gretna 2008 0

After yesterday’s home victory against much improved Gretna 2008, Bo’ness United climbed four places in the Lowland League table. The Dumfries and Galloway side provided tough opposition and it was only after an even forty minutes that Bo’ness got themselves in front before squeezing a second in just on the break. Lucas Stenhouse had made some great runs on the left but from the other wing Stenhouse cut through the Gretna rearguard before firing low into the net. After that a Shaun Rutherford chip came off the Gretna bar and Smart Osadolor was on the spot to head home from close in.

In the second half Bo’ness created a raft of chances to go further ahead but the Gretna defence and the woodwork kept them at bay. Gretna keeper Jim Atkinson was also in good form but unfortunately for the visitors their forwards struggled to find the target with any efforts that came their way. As it was, five minutes before the end the BUs made the points safe when Atkinson got down to block a Fin Malcolm shot but substitute Lous Kennedy followed up to shoot in from twelve yards.

Bo’ness now face two difficult away fixtures, Broxburn Athletic on Tuesday and Hearts B on Friday hoping they can continue their good recent Lowland League form.

Bo'ness: Melrose, Hawkins, Duffy, Irving, Rutherford, Henderson (Malcolm 60), Stenhouse, Grant (Johnston 60), Osadolor, Porteous (Macaulay 30), Stevenson (Kennedy 80). Subs (Not Used):, Trialist, Gemmell. SG: Campbell

Match details

Match date

Tue 03 Sep 2024

Kickoff

19:45

Team overview

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