Match Preview

Match preview written by JOHN SPOWART!

Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Central Taxis East of Scotland League, Premier Division, Newtown Park, Saturday 26 October 2019

Bo’ness United have enjoyed the last five weeks on top of the East of Scotland League, Premier Division and know that to stay there they simply need to continue winning games. Five league wins in a row has proved the point but the BUs also know how difficult that challenge is with all the teams below them itching to knock them off their perch.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn are the next team to visit Newtown Park and they certainly have aspirations as well as the credentials to give Bo’ness what could be their toughest game of the season so far. The Haws have played two games less than Bo’ness and are seven points behind. A win for the Fife side would bring Bo’ness within striking distance. Their only league defeat came early in the campaign, a home reversal against Dunbar United. They drew their last league match at Broxburn Athletic, the game before a home win against Penicuik Athletic.

Hill of Beath have managed a draw and a win on their last two trips to Newtown, the last visit in April last year. The Haws moved into the final fifteen minutes two ahead, both strikes from Lewis Elder, but goals from Ryan Stevenson and Marty Wright earned Bo’ness a draw. The defeat was the season before when Fraser Keast cancelled out Lee Reid’s Hill of Beath opener but on the final whistle Calum Adamson won the points for the Haws.

Bo’ness did beat Hill of Beath at home over four years ago again, coming back from a two goal deficit. Early goals from Brian Breen and Rikki Dair had the visitors ahead at half time but Darren Cummings and Ian Nimmo brought Bo’ness level only for Adam Moffat to restore the lead from the spot. Before the end two further goals from Cummings gave him his hat trick while ensuring Bo’ness were triumphant on the day.

The win against Sauchie Juniors proved another tense day for the BU support and those in the home dugout. Brian Morgan connected to a flick on from new boy Brian Ritchie to nod Bo’ness into the lead after only five minutes that proving to be the only goal of the game. Bo’ness did create chances for further scoring but Sauchie keeper Darren Dolan pulled off some great saves to defy the BUs. At the other end there was a scare when only a great goal line clearance by Devon Jacobs kept Sauchie out and just before time up Chris Faulds shot over the Bo’ness bar from close in.

Bo’ness manager Max Christie was again satisfied with the application of his players as well as an overall improved display. He knows they can play better and Hill of Beath bring the challenge that might just need that step up in performance to achieve the result that keeps the BU Faithful happy.

John Spowart
23 October 2019