Bu's open the season with a draw at Broxburn

Match Report by Bryan Copeland

A new season begins today and the 1st of many away games to start the season for the BU as work continues at Newtown Park. On the back of last season after the arrival of Max Christie as manager the unbeaten run of games was phenomenal so the BU can go into this season brimming with confidence. The pre season friendly results have been good and I’m sure a good test for the lads and will have built up the fitness ahead of the start to a long season.

Like last year it’s another new league for the BU along with many other clubs as we all started in the conferences last season and had to gain promotion to this EOS Premier League for season 19/20. The league is made up of 16 teams and all are ex junior clubs who have gained promotion to it except for 1 and that is Whitehill Welfare who were relegated from the Lowland league last season. The aim for the BU this season and I’m sure many other clubs will be to gain promotion to the afore mentioned Lowland League for next season.
Will all that said as I done during the friendly report can I once again thank Kev & the rest of the committee for the role of match reporter once again and wish everyone associated with the club from management to players, fans and committee members a very successful season.
Mon the BU !!!!

Into today’s game and it was taken in by a decent crowd with as always the good travelling BU support.
Before the game there was a minutes silence for long term Bo’ness Supporter and Ex Chairman of the Supporters Club Tom Chambers who sadly passed away earlier this week.

Early on there was a battle for possession from both sides with the visitors slightly shading it but the only chance was a corner that was easily collected by the home keeper. The home side had a chance as a good ball was played through but the final shot didn’t trouble Andy Murphy in the BU goal as it went high over the bar. Final on 37 minutes the 1st goal of the game came in what can only be described as exceptional circumstances. A ball played into the box from the home side that looked like a simple catch was somehow bundled over the line in what looked like an OG from BU keeper Andy Murphy. An absolute fluke of a goal when really there was nothing to report from a dull 1st half that didn’t look like any of the 2 teams scoring. Unfortunately with very little action a very short 1st half Report is brought to a close with the scoreline.

Broxburn 1 - 0 BU.

Into the 2nd half and the visitors looked to be trying to keep the ball, it was lost however and as Zander Millar tried to break forward Stuart Hunter found himself booked by the referee for a late tackle stopping him in his tracks. The resulting free kick came to nothing and the BU broke forward quickly but a cross into the box found no one waiting. BU manger Max Christie then made a double change with Will Snowdon & Chris Donnelly going off for Fraser Keast & Marc McKenzie. Zander Miller soon got on the end of a through ball but it was just too high for him to get a decent shot on Andy Murphy’s goal. The visitors then got forward with a really good move that ended with Stuart Hunter putting the ball in the back of the net. The celebrations were short lived however as the assistant on the stand side had his flag up for offside. 28 minutes into the 2nd half and the visitors having a much better 2nd half levelled the score at 1-1, a ball played forward was put over the box and Ryan Stevenson was there to finish the chance off slamming the ball into the back of the net. The home side broke forward but Andy Murphy was quick to gather the ball and relieve any danger. 7 minutes remaining and the home side broke forward down the left, the ball was crossed into the box and Andy Murphy came rushing off his line only to be beat to the ball. The resulting shot was wide of the post and the score remained at 1-1. The home side tried to get back into the game and take the lead with a through ball to Zander Millar cut out by Stuart Hunter with a well timed header. Into the final few minutes and it didn’t look like either side was settling for the draw as again the home side tried to get forward but the ball was cut out and hand the visitors a throw in high up the pitch. Into the final minutes and a corner for the visitors left one last chance of a ball into the box, the home side were alert to clear however.

Full time Broxburn 1 - 1 Bo’ness United.