Saturday sees Bo’ness United make their longest journey for a Lowland League contest as they visit Gretna 2008. Gretna are enjoying their best league campaign for a number of seasons, only one place below Bo’ness, a single point behind having played two games more. Two wins and a draw from their last four games is a decent return and Bo’ness know they face a tricky match in the quest to bring the points back up the road.

Bo’ness hosted Gretna earlier in the season and although the BUs scored three without reply it proved an arduous contest. 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). In last season’s meeting at Raydale Park Bo’ness won by the odd goal in three. Ryan Porteous gave the BUs a half time lead with Russell McLean doubling the BU lead from the spot. Bryan Gilfillan hit back for Gretna with a spectacular free kick effort but it turned out no more than a consolation. (Report)

Last weekend Bo’ness faced the hardest of tasks, coming up against league leaders and favourites to retain their title, East Kilbride. Michael Gemmell was making his 300th appearance for the BUs and just before half time Kieran Mitchell gave Bo’ness the lead only for Jack Leitch and John Robertson to put the visitors ahead at the break. After the turnaround Jack Leitch and Scott Ferguson extended East Kilbride’s advantage with Kieran Mitchell pulling one back before the end. (Report).

With twenty seven points on the board Gretna are already fifteen points ahead of their finishing total last season when they just avoided relegation. It’s a perfect illustration of how much they have improved this time round. A difficult challenge for the BUs who know a victory will see them stretch the gap on Gretna, who in turn can leapfrog their opponents if the game goes their way. Bo’ness have brought in some new faces in the form of Max Dowling, on loan from Bonnyrigg Rose plus Theo McCormick and Billy Hutchison, loanees from St Mirren. They will be keen to make a good impression and do their bit for their temporary outfit.

Despite their defeat against East Kilbride Bo’ness competed from start to finish and the same attitude and effort is required to overcome Saturday’s opponents. The four hour round trip may put many of the BU Faithful off but the hard core will be there to exercise their lungs, hoping for a pleasant drive back up the M74.

John Spowart
Friday 24 January 2024
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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

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2023/2024

Date – Saturday 16 December 2023

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Gretna 2008 1
(Gilfillan 77)

Bo'ness United 2
(Porteous 9, Trialist 65 (pen)

Bo’ness United returned from Gretna with all the points in a game where the final score did not reflect the gulf between the sides on the day. Bo’ness scored early in the first half, the second coming with twenty-five minutes remaining. The Gretna strike came soon after but they were unable to build on this, Bo’ness finishing the stronger side.

It was in nine minutes when Bo’ness went ahead as the Gretna keeper cleared a Keir Foster corner, the ball going only as far as Ryan Porteous who fired in from the edge of the box. After that Bo’ness pressed forward with a series of corners and opportunities. Scott Dalziel headed over from a Keir Macaulay cross, the same player seeing an angled shot cleared off the line. Mike Travis saw his header saved by McCreadie and Foster had a couple of attempts, one going just wide, the other saved by the Gretna keeper.

At the start of the second half Gretna rallied briefly, Travis intercepting a Robbie Ivison low cross but Bo’ness were soon pressing again. Kyle Jonston had a shot saved by McCreadie, his follow up effort just clearing the far post. With thirty minutes remaining the Bo’ness trialist was introduced to the game and within two minutes was booked by the referee, three minutes later converting a penalty. The award angered the Gretna players, perceived injustice spurring them into action. Travis headed a Gretna cross off the goal line and soon after diverted a shot for a corner. With just under fifteen minutes remaining Gretna did get a goal and it was something special as Bryan Gilfillan hit a free kick shot from around thirty yards, the ball rocketing into the top corner of the Bo’ness net. The revival was short lived and towards the end of the game Bo’ness might have added to their lead with Ryan Stevenson hitting the wood work and the Trialist running through but his shot was saved by McCreadie.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson, Macaulay, Travis, McArthur, Irving, Stenhouse (Mooney 71), Johnston, Dalziel (Trialist 60), Foster (Grant 71) Porteous (Kennedy 60). Subs (Not Used): Gemmell, Hawkins, Malcolm.

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Saturday 18 January 2025

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Bo’ness United 2
Scorer: Mitchell 43 76

East Kilbride 4
Scorer: Leitch 44 65, Robertson 45+3, Ferguson 72

Bo’ness United are still looking for their first home victory against East Kilbride, the South Lanarkshire side once again leaving Newtown Park with all the points. It was always going to be a difficult task and as expected the BU defence came under a lot of pressure though it was not always one way traffic as Bo’ness created a number of chances, scoring the first and final goal of the match.

An early East Kilbride break brought out a good save from BU keeper Liam Campbell while at the other end the Kilby keeper Matthew Connelly pushed a Keir Macaulay corner off the crossbar before being cleared. A frantic end to the first half saw three goals in as many minutes Kieran Mitchell’s audacious lob putting Bo’ness ahead before Jack Leitch slotted home John Robertson’s cut back and Robertson himself fired in to give the visitors a half time lead.

Twenty minutes into the second half East Kilbride extended their advantage, Jack Leitch heading in from an Ian McShane corner and a few minutes later it was four, Scott Ferguson capitalising on a BU defensive glitch to score from a few yards out. Credit to Bo’ness who never stopped working and they pulled one back when Kieran Michell pounced onto a short pass back to slot in from the tightest of angles.

There’s no doubt East Kilbride were the better team, fully deserving their victory but Bo’ness United stuck to the task and a similar effort in future matches will bring the points required to move them up the table.

Bo’ness: Campbell, Hawkins (Rutherford 69), Macaulay, Duffy, Travis, Johnston, Dowling, Gemmell (Kennedy 69), Schiavone (Osadolor 12), Hamilton (Grant 56), Mitchell. Subs (Not Used): Henderson, McCormick, Hutchison

Match details

Match date

Sat 25 Jan 2025

Kickoff

15:00

Team overview

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