Match Preview 2024 2025
Cumbernauld Colts
Park’s Motor Group Lowland League
Broadwood Stadium
Saturday 12 November 2024

Bo’ness United look back on their last two games against Caledonian Braves and Berwick Rangers with some disappointment at only achieving one point from a possible six. The fact these games were at home adds to the dissatisfaction and now Bo’ness face the prospect of a visit to Cumbernauld Colts who they have yet to beat at the Broadwood Stadium.

Cumbernauld achieved the double over Bo’ness last season, winning three goals to nil at Newtown Park. Craig Holmes gave the Colts a half time lead, scoring from the spot and after the break Bo’ness missed the chance of drawing level, Ryan Stevenson seeing his penalty kick attempt saved by Colts’ keeper Ryan Adamson. William Mortimer and Cole McIntyre went on to ensure victory for Cumbernauld (Report). The return match at Broadwood had a no scoring first half but into the second Kai Kirkpatrick and Zac McKay put Cumbernauld in the driving seat before a late penalty conversion from Ryan Porteous proved to be no more than a consolation for Bo’ness (Report).

Compared to last season when Cumbernauld Colts finished fourth in the table, they currently find themselves at the bottom, Two wins from sixteen starts tells its own story and the Colts appear to be struggling this time round. Berwick Rangers were also far down the table but achieved a draw at Newtown so Bo’ness will not underestimate the North Lanarkshire side.

Berwick didn’t play like a team in the bottom half of the league, giving as good as they got on Tuesday night. Although Bo’ness missed some good chances to go ahead Berwick brought out a number of good saves from BU keeper Cade Melrose. The wee Rangers did go ahead after twenty minutes through Ben McCrystal but five minutes before the end Louis Kennedy equalised to give Bo’ness a share of the points (Report).

After a good October, November has not started well for Bo’ness and they want to get back to winning games to see them climb the table. The players will also be missing the pleasure of winning a football match while the BU Faithful are looking to enjoy their Saturday night after a win at Broadwood. The Colts will clearly be desperate to get a result to get them off the bottom and Bo’ness know they must work to take any points from the contest.

John Spowart
Friday 08 November 2024

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2023/2024

Date – Saturday 26 August 2023
Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Bo'ness United 0
Cumbernauld Colts 3
(C Holmes 33 pen, Mortimer 75, McIntyre 81)

It’s been a trying few days for Bo’ness United, losing to Albion Rovers on Wednesday followed by this defeat, both at home to Cumbernauld Colts. The BUs were lacklustre against a Colts side who were faster and sharper fully deserving their win.

Cumbernauld got themselves ahead in half an hour, Craig Holmes converting from the spot after a handball offence in the box. Ryan Porteous had a couple of attempts to get Bo’ness back in it with a header that went over and a shot saved by keeper Ryan Adamson.

In the second half Bo’ness looked better but with just over fifteen minutes remaining two incidents saw the BUs spurn a great chance to draw equal only to find themselves further behind. A goalmouth scramble resulted in Tom Grant being fouled in the Cumbernauld box, and with no one else seemingly keen to take the responsibility, Ryan Stevenson hit the penalty kick only for Adamson to get down to save at the post. If that was bad, only two minutes later Cumbernauld broke up the park, Billy Mortimer firing a low angled shot into the far bottom corner of the net.

Worse was to come for Bo’ness when substitute Cole McIntyre blasted in a third for the visitors who in the final minutes almost rubbed salt in the wound with a shot that crashed off the BU bar.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson, Rutherford (Macaulay 29), Hawkins, McArthur, Henderson (Irving 72), Stenhouse (Kennedy 57) Gemmell (Mooney 57), Malcolm (Johnston 57) Porteous, Grant.
Subs (Not Used). SG Fullerton

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2023/2024

Date – Saturday 10 February 2024

Competition –Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Cumbernauld Colts 2
(Kirkpatrick 57, McKay 70)
Bo'ness United 1
(Porteous 89 pen)

Bo’ness United’s league campaign suffered a setback as they lost at Cumbernauld Colts, this result coming soon after the defeat at Celtic B. The game started well enough with the BUs dominating the play and creating some early chances, Kieran Mitchell heading just wide and Ryan Stevenson bringing out a good save from Colts keeper Ryan Adamson. Cumbernauld also had a couple of efforts, Kai Kirkpatrick shooting straight at Musa Dibaga and then firing over. Mitchell had other attempts on the Cumbernauld goal, a volley and a chip both going over but before the break Cole McIntyre saw his shot rattle off the Bo’ness post.

The second half saw a change in fortunes as Cumbernauld took the initiative and after a couple of cracks took the lead when Kai Kirkpatrick connected with a cut back to shoot low into the net from the edge of the box. The home side were now in charge as Bo’ness struggled to match the good play they demonstrated earlier in the match. With seven minutes remaining Cumbernauld scored a second as substitute Zac McKay got onto the end of a cross beyond the far post to angle low past Dibaga.

Bo’ness did get a goal before the end, Scott Dalziel brought down in the box, Ryan Porteous converting from the spot. It was a chance to get back and at the death Porteous almost brought the BUs level with a free kick shot that scraped the outside of the post.

Despite the loss Bo’ness keep the third spot but know they must get back to winning ways to maintain their position in that top section of the table.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson, Hawkins, Travis, Irving, Henderson (Johnston 62), Mitchell (Porteous 73), Gemmell, Dalziel, Grant, Kennedy (Malcolm 82), Subs (Not Used): Hamilton, McArthur, Macaulay. SG Ruddy:

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Tuesday 05 November 2024

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Bo’ness United 1
(Kennedy 85)
Berwick Rangers 1
(McCrystal 22)

Following the loss to Caledonian Braves on Saturday Bo’ness United dropped further home points, this time drawing with Berwick Rangers. Bo’ness missed good early chances, both Smart Osadolor and Tom Grant missing the target while BU keeper Cade Melrose saved from Jamie Watson.

Although Bo’ness were enjoying most of the possession it was the visitors who took the lead, Ben McCrystal making room for himself before shooting low into the net from just inside the box. Ryan Stevenson almost made an immediate reply but his shot crashed off the Berwick crossbar.

Unable to respond Bo’ness made changes at the break but it was Berwick who started the better knocking the ball around. Jamie Watson shot just wide of the Bo’ness goal but at the other end Ryan Stevenson was unlucky as his free kick shot hit the post. This seemed to spur Bo’ness into action as they pushed forward looking for the equaliser. Smart Osadolor headed narrowly wide with a Louis Kennedy shot just clearing the bar.

With five minutes remaining Bo’ness were finally rewarded, a defensive header landing nicely for Louis Kennedy to drill the ball home from fifteen yards. The final minutes saw Bo’ness lay siege to the Berwick goal but unable to find the target had to be content with a share of the points.

Bo'ness: Melrose, Hawkins (Masson 67), Macaulay, Duffy (Johnston 46), Travis, Irving, Stevenson, Porteous (Mitchell 46) Osadolor, Grant, Kennedy. Subs (Not Used): Henderson, Gemmell. SG: Ritchie.