Match Preview 2024 2025
Linlithgow Rose
Park’s Motor Group Lowland League
Prestonfield
Saturday 04 January 2025

Saturday sees the return derby fixture as Bo’ness United attempt to redeem themselves at Linlithgow Rose after their defeat last weekend. Dylan Paterson and Dean Watson had given Linlithgow a two goal lead when just before the break the Rose were reduced to ten men and Ryan Porteous pulled one back for the BUs. In the second half, despite being a man short Linlithgow blunted the Bo’ness attack and scored a late third to secure the points (Report).

The result has left BU Manager Stuart Hunter with a lot to ponder and there are likely to be changes for this game in an attempt to even up the derby double. Bo’ness struggled to make an impact in the first game and although they never stopped trying, they were unable to find a way through the Linlithgow defence. Likewise, the defence must be unhappy at losing three goals, as the midfield continues to look for the combative yet creative blend to feed the forwards, while still protecting the back line.

Last season the return match was postponed due to snow and frost and was played in March. The BUs won that encounter thanks to a late Louis Kennedy goal after the BUs had gone ahead early through Ryan Porteous, with Conor McKenzie equalising before the break (Report). The weather again might have a say in whether this game goes ahead but this is an opportunity for the BU players to put things right.

Linlithgow Rose will obviously start as favourites to win again and although Bo’ness may be underdogs, they will make every effort to turn the tables on their opponents. The BU fans were disappointed with the outcome at Newtown but hopefully their favourites can turn what was a not so Merry Christmas into a Happy New Year.

John Spowart
03 January 2025

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.

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2023/2024

Date – Saturday 23 March 2024

Competition –Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Linlithgow Rose 1
(McKenzie 29)

Bo'ness United 2
(Porteous 5, Kennedy 90)

Two Bo’ness United goals bookended what was a typically tough derby match where good football proved scarce in a scrappy affair littered with yellow cards plus one red shown in the dying minutes of this closely fought contest.

It was five minutes in when the BUs took the lead with a good passing move, JJ Henderson prompting Fin Malcolm wide on the right and his cross was contested by Adam Masson and Ryan Porteous the latter getting the decisive touch to loop the ball over Rose keeper Cameron Binnie and into the net. Linlithgow struck back on the half hour, a long throw knocked on to the back post where Conor McKenzie headed past Musa Dibaga.

Both sides worked hard in the second half to get a winner, the closest for the Rose being a Dylan Paterson free kick shot that curled just wide. However, it was the BUs who secured the winner in ninety minutes, a Tom Grant corner bouncing around the box before Louis Kennedy pounced to side foot a deflected shot past the stranded Binnie. The Linlithgow misery was compounded in time added on when Owen Foster was shown his second yellow card of the match followed by the inevitable red.

Needless to say, the final whistle was met with great celebrations both on and off the park as the BUs once more demonstrated their ability to work until the very end. This work ethic once more reaped the reward of another three points, welcome both in terms of maintaining their third place but extra special as won against their old derby rivals.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson, Irving, Travis, Hawkins, Henderson, Malcolm (Kennedy 61), Johnston, Dalziel (McArthur 73), Grant, Porteous (Macaulay 90). Subs (Not Used): Hamilton, Gemmell, Rutherford, SG Ruddy:

Linlithgow: Binnie, Thomson, Thom, McMullen (Ogilvie 77), Devine, McKenzie (Maguire 77), Sneddon (Paterson68), Rae (Simpson 85), Masson (Penman 85), Allan, Foster. Subs (Not Used):
McDowell SG McMinn