Match Preview 2024 2025
Caledonian Braves
Park’s Motor Group Lowland League
Alliance Park
Saturday 05 April 2025
Bo’ness United visit Caledonian Braves on Saturday hoping for a change in fortune following three defeats in a row, at Civil Service Strollers, the League Cup final against East Kilbride and in midweek at home to Cowdenbeath They lost heavily to the Blue Brazil, where after a goalless first half Bo’ness conceded five, three from Jake Sutherland and one each from Ollie Whyte and Daryl Healy (Report). Since the beginning of March Bo’ness have collected only four points from a possible eighteen and are in danger of dropping down the table if they can’t get some points in their final three games.

Caledonian Braves are enjoying a much improved season, sitting in third place with fifteen more points than their final tally last time. In saying that, their recent form has been mixed, drawing at Celtic B and beating Hearts B but losing at Civil Service Strollers and to Albion Rovers at Alliance Park. The Braves did win at Newtown Park earlier this season, Ryan Stevenson cancelling out an early strike by Jack McDowall only for Greig Stewart to get a late winner for the visitors (Report). On their last visit to Alliance Park Lucas Stenhouse and Kyle Johnston had Bo’ness two ahead with Cameron Breadner scoring a late consolation for Caley (Report)

It's been a miserable couple of weeks for Bo’ness but Saturday provides an opportunity, as difficult as this fixture is, for everyone to make improvements and give the visiting BU Faithful a decent performance to send them back up the M74 with a smile on their faces.

John Spowart
04 April 2025

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Wednesday 02 April 2025

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Bo’ness United 0

Cowdenbeath 5
(Sutherland 54 63 82, Whyte 71, Healy 73)

Bo’ness United suffered their heaviest defeat of the season where after a goalless first half they conceded five in a calamitous second period at home to Cowdenbeath. The teams exchanged shots in the first forty five and Cowdenbeath had the best chance when Ollie Whyte shot over from a Jake Sutherland cross. Just before the break Keir Foster had a good run followed by a shot, Cowdenbeath keeper Josh Blair stopping it at his left hand post.

A few minutes into the second half Keir Macaulay had a shot from distance that went just wide and almost immediately at the other end Cowdenbeath went ahead as Jake Sutherland’s shot on the turn zipped low into the back of the BU net. Less than ten minutes later Sutherland made it two as he capitalised on a defensive slip to curl a shot past Liam Campbell. Soon after it was three, a cross beyond the back post cut back for Ollie Whyte to stroke home from six yards. The game looked to be beyond Bo’ness and only two minutes later it was, as substitute Healy headed in from close in. Eight minutes before the end Cowdenbeath rubbed salt into the Bo’ness wounds as the Trialist flew down the right hand side before cutting the ball back Sutherland slotted in to complete his hat trick and the Bo’ness rout.

The worst home result since Bo’ness lost six without reply to East Kilbride three years ago, the BUs must lick their wounds and prepare for the difficult trip to Caledonian Braves on Saturday.

Bo’ness United: 1 Liam Campbell, 2 Lewis Hawkins (Stevenson 74, 3 Keir Macaulay (Rutherford 60), 4 Billy Hutchison, 5 Lewis Duffy, 6 Max Dowling (Grant 60), 7 Lucas Stenhouse
8 Kyle Johnston (Capt), 9 Smart Osadolor (Kennedy 60), 10 Keir Foster (Schiavone 74),
11 Kieran Mitchell

Subs: 12 Ryan Stevenson, 14 Shaun Rutherford, 15 Ryan Schiavone, 16 Tom Grant
17 Louis Kennedy, 18 Adam Masson (Not Used), 19 Dan Irving (Not Used)

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Saturday 02 November 2024

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Bo’ness United 1
(Stevenson 72)

Caledonian Braves 2
(McDowall 13, G Stewart 85)

Bo’ness United were edged out in this tight Lowland League match against current leaders Caledonian Braves, whose late goal denied the BUs a share of the points. The Braves struck early, Jack McDowell heading in a Daniel Martins cross but unphased Bo’ness set about getting back with Lewis Duffy and Keir Macaulay both going close. The BUs enjoyed the majority of the possession but were faced with a strong defence making it difficult to carve out too many chances on the Caley goal.

After the break Bo’ness continued their search for an equaliser but again struggled to breach the Caledonian Braves rearguard. With just under twenty minutes remaining though Bo’ness finally made the breakthrough, Braves keeper Bernard White only able to parry a Lois Kennedy header, the ball falling nicely for Ryan Stevenson who smashed a shot into the back of the net. Continually pushing forward Bo’ness were susceptible to the counter attack and almost right away the Braves squandered a chance to regain their lead, Ross McNeil shooting over from close in. Minutes later BU keeper Cade Melrose made a great save to deny Cameron Breadner but Bo’ness were determined to find a winner. Unfortunately though, it was the visitors who scored a second goal through Greig Stewart pouncing to shoot home from just inside the box. Undaunted Bo’ness kept going and into time added on had a valid penalty claim turned down as Smart Osadolor appeared to be hauled down in the box. Many thought the BUs deserved more for their efforts and although this may have been the case it’s the final scoreline that provides the only statistic that counts on the day.

Prior to the match Lex Shields’ family members were present and joined players, supporters and former players as they paid their respects to the BU legend with a minute’s applause. A fitting tribute for a player who will live long in the memory of everyone associated with Bo’ness United.

Bo'ness: Melrose, Hawkins, Macaulay, Duffy, Travis, Irving, Stevenson, Johnston, Osadolor, Grant (Mitchell 76), Kennedy. Subs (Not Used): Henderson, Gemmell, Masson, Murdoch.

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2023/2024

Date – Saturday 09 September 2023

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Caledonian Braves 1
(Breadner 90+3)

Bo'ness United 2
(Stenhouse 27, Johnston 77)

After three games without a win and no goals scored Bo’ness United enjoyed a well-deserved victory at Caledonian Braves. A goal in each half earned the points although the Braves pulled one back into time added on.

The home side made the early running and might have got themselves ahead, Ross McNeil looking dangerous up front. Jamie Watson saw his shot deflected for a Braves’ corner but the BUs settled and started to push forward. Play moved from end to end without either goal coming under serious threat until just short of half an hour when the BUs took the lead. A defensive clearance went straight up into the air dropping nicely for Lucas Stenhouse whose shot deceived Braves goalkeeper Bernie White and although his defender cleared it away the ball had crossed the line and the goal was awarded. Bo’ness were boosted by the breakthrough and started to play with more confidence. A Stenhouse low cross just needed a touch in front of goal, the BUs having to be happy with their single goal lead at the break.

Bo’ness resumed the mission in the second half and dominated the play. Caley Braves did get forward and a shot from distance just drifted wide of the post. Bo’ness came close with a Kieran Mooney cross, Scott Dalziel’s header hitting the post with Ryan Porteous’s follow up shot blocked by the Braves’ keeper. At the other end a McNeil header at the near post was saved by BU keeper Musa Dibaga.

With just under fifteen minutes left Bo’ness did get the second goal. Kyle Johnston took a pass inside from Shaun Rutherford before lashing a twenty-yard shot into the top corner of the net. Just before the end Caledonian Braves pulled a goal back, a brilliant Cameron Breadner free kick shot from distance curling past Musa Dibaga. Merely a consolation and three points see Bo’ness maintain their top five place in what is a tough Lowland League.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson, Rutherford, Macaulay, McArthur, Henderson, Stenhouse (Kennedy 82), Johnston, Dalziel (Grant 82), Porteous, Mooney.
Subs (Not Used). Ward Gemmell SG Fullerton