BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Saturday 28 December 2024

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Bo’ness United 1
(Porteous 45)

Linlithgow 3
(Paterson 35, Watson 37, Rae 79)

It proved a disappointing afternoon for Bo’ness United as they lost out to Linlithgow Rose in the first of the festive derbies. Two down, just before the break the BUs pulled one back as Linlithgow were reduced to ten men but with a punchless second half display Bo’ness were unable to take advantage, Linlithgow sealing the points with a third just before the end.

In the first thirty minutes play was even with opportunities at either end, the closest a Dylan Paterson free kick shot well saved by Cade Melrose who also stopped Dean Watson’s follow up. However, two Linlithgow goals in two minutes had the visitors firmly in the driving seat, the first Dylan Paterson connecting with a Jack Ogilvie low cross to divert the ball into the opposite corner of the Bo’ness net. The second saw Dean Watson making room for himself to hit a low shot that beat Melrose from twenty yards. Just on half time Linlithgow were reduced to ten men as Louis Maguire’s barge on Kyle Johnston was judged to be preventing a goal scoring opportunity and the player was sent off. From the resulting free kick Ryan Porteous fired low past Cameron Binnie

A great time to score but after the break Bo’ness struggled to break down the Linlithgow defence and it was the Rose who looked the more dangerous with their quick breaks up the park. Unable to make the breakthrough, any hope of a Bo’ness comeback was shattered late on as the ball was given away allowing Calum Rae to run from half way before smashing an unstoppable shot past Cade Melrose.

This was a deserved Linlithgow Rose win and Bo’ness are left to lick their wounds, leaving manager Stuart Hunter with plenty to think about as the sides meet again at Prestonfield next weekend.

Bo’ness: Melrose, Stevenson, Macaulay, Irving, Travis, Johnston (Henderson 79), Stenhouse, Grant (Hamilton 74), Osadolor (Schiavone 63), Porteous, Mitchell (Kennedy 74). Subs (Not Used): Gemmell, Duffy, Masson,

Linlithgow: Binnie, Thomson, Thom, Skinner, Paterson, McMullen (McMartin 74), Brown (Devine 63), Watson (Rae 74), Ogilvie, Allan. Maguire. Subs (Not used): Wallace, Allison, Sneddon, McCracken.