Bo'ness United 1-0 Sauchie

A view from the terraces, provided by BRYAN COPELAND!

After progressing to the next round of the Football Nations Cup last weekend in a break from the league schedule the BU results still continue to look good so far this season. Some could argue the performances haven’t been brilliant this season at times but the results have been still been rolling in which is the main thing. Believe it or not and I’m sure as mentioned before Max Christie still hasn’t lost a league game since taking charge of the BU early in the year which really is a phenomenal achievement and bodes well for the confidence with a string of league games to come. The next three are also all at home for the BU as the away fixtures at the start of the season for the work at Newtown Park start to balance themselves out as we go through the remainder of this year. Hopefully going into this game the Gaffer will have more of his squad to pick from with a couple of players coming in and playing a part last week coming back from injuries.

The usual large BU support will be out in numbers as always to get behind the time in what has usually in the past been a difficult game against tough opponents. With the BU still sitting at the summit of the table they will be looking to stay there after today’s game with another win and 3 more pints in the bag. The league position of Sauchie at present below mid table I’m sure will not be read into too much bu Max and the team as they will all know this will be a tough game as any of them can be in this very competitive league. The memorable moment the last time these 2 sides met here at Newtown Park was an injury time winner by Comrie who the BU signed from Sauchie and be made it known to the costing committee he was delighted to score for a 1-0 home win. That goal was also the last competitive goal scored on the grass pitch here before it was relaid into all weather by the NPA.
Another positive for the home side today is that BU Gaffer Max Christie has a fully fit squad available with a full compliment of subs and this weeks signing a forward from Kelty Hearts Brian Ritchie makes his debut.

Into the game then and the home side started attacking the goal towards the fisons end not the usual way towards Kinneil school. Within 5 minutes the opening goal came a quick move down the right earned a throw in for the BU. It was taken long into the box and flicked on to Morgan at the back post who calmly and very easily headed the ball into the net. BU 1 - 0 Sauchie. The visitors then enjoyed a spell of possession with the BU defence called on to clear the ball which they did when asked of them blocking a shot that looked to be on target. New signing for the BU Ritchie then met a cross ball outside the box but could only take it with a header and the ball went wide. Donnelly then showed brilliant skill as he got past his man and stung the gloves of the visiting keeper. Another good move down the right earned the BU a throw which Jacobs took long into the box, Ritchie rose well and got his head to it but it was over everyone in the box and cleared. On the half hour mark a through ball had the Sauchie keeper rushing off his line and out the box as Morgan got to the ball first the keeper then done well to block it with his body, the rebound fell to grant who took a couple of touches and looped the ball from way out towards the empty net only for it to go just wide of the post. The home side we’re playing well so far this half and another good ball forward brought a corner. Grant swung it in and the visiting keeper done well to top it over the bar for another corner before anyone in blue got on the end of it. Morgan took the next corner which was well defended and on the counter attack the visitors got a corner over on the far side. 5 minutes to the break and Morgan was off on a run down the left as Donnelly set him on his way with a good ball. Morgan almost lost out but made a great tackle to win the ballon back and square it to Ritchie who let fly from outside the box, his low drove went just wide of the visiting keepers post. A free kick for the BU awarded for a foul on Gemmil saw the 1st yellow card of the match shown. Stevenson and Grant stood over the ball with Grant hitting it to the middle of the goal straight at the keeper who made an easy save. The visitors got forward towards the end of the half and a cross was well blocked by Hunter. A corner then had to be defended by the BU as Sauchie mis kicked and made it easier to block the ball, the rebound was sent back in from the edge of the box but was stopped by Campbell and played out to Morgan who took the ball towards the other end. Half time BU 1 - 0 Sauchie.

Into the 2nd half and the first real chance of note was 7 minutes in when Stevenson hit a free kick low towards the keepers left, he got down well to make the save however. At the other end a hot went wide of Andy Murphy’s post for a goal kick. The visitors were almost level 14 minutes into the half as Stevenson lost the ball then turned his back in a challenge to win it back allowing a cross into the box, the initial shot that found a red jersey was block followed by another that was also blocked this time by Jacobs. A quick counter then had the home side on the attack and Grant hit a great shot on target that stung the gloves of the Sauchie keeper. Campbell done well to head a cross out of danger. 22 minutes into the half and an BU gaffer Max Christie made his 1st change of the game as debutant Brian Ritchie was replaced by Mark McKenzie. Donnelly showed a great touch to get the ball out his feet and as he got to the centre of the goal outside the box he key fly with a great shot that stung the gloves of the visiting keeper as he sent the ball for a corner tipping it over the bar. As the visitors countered Gemmil saw a yellow card from the referee. The 2nd change came for the BU as Syme replaced Grant and a reshuffle saw Syme go to left back and Stevenson forward fo the midfield with 15 minutes of the match to go. The visitors came forward again as the BU were beat out side and with Hunter out of position trying to rescue the situation a shot was soon headed towards Murphy who got down well to make the save. The home side then has some more defending to do as Hunter done well to head clear twice before Gemmil hit a hopeful ball forward, McKenzie got to it and as he cut inside towards the box was brought down bringing a free kick. From the angle outside the box Morgan hit it hard towards goal only for it to be deflected for a corner. The corner was met by Hunter at the back post but as he got up to it the referee had already blown his whistle for a free kick to the visitors. With just a few minutes remaining a free kick for the visitors on the half way line was swung into the box but Murphy was assured cans quick off his line to come and collect it. Forward again cams the visitors and a cross that missed everyone earned a booking for deliberate handball as the visiting player tried to stop it. Yo the other end another corner was then swung in well and as Donnelly and Campbell rise at the back post only for the ball to come back off the woodwork. Now well into added the referee had a look at his watch but play continued as the visitors came forward. Jacobs blocked well twice before a ball came across the box dangerously leaving the visitors with there heads in hands as a good chance went begging. The home side cleared well up field and that was to be the last action as the match ended BU 1 - 0 Sauchie. A result the keeps Max Christie’s unbeaten league run intact and the BU are still at the summit of the EOS Premier League table.