Bo'ness United 1-0 Hill of Beath

A view from the terraces by BRIAN COPELAND!

Another home league game comes along for the BU today as the away games at the start of the season due to the work at Newtown Park level themselves out with home matches. It’s a game that the Gaffer and the team will want to win not only because it’s a home game, but also because incredibly Max Christie still remains unbeaten in league games since taking over in January this year. The last 6 games the BU have played in all competitions have been won by just the 1 goal and a lot of them the team and management I’m sure would agree were far from vintage performances. Having said that it’s the results that count and however they come they are most welcome. Last week admittedly from Max and I’m sure seen by the usual many that support the BU week in week out was a better performance and this week will have to be at the same level or better to take anything away from today’s match. Hill of Beath, or The Haws as they are known, have always been a difficult side to beat and over the years there’s been many encounters with them home and away specially in the Juniors when the super league was formed. Today’s visitors are also under new management recently and I’m sure the new man at the helm will be looking to get a positive start with good results and performances so it’s up to the BU to counter that and take confidence from all the recent results we’ve had to keep them rolling in.
As always there will be a large home support to get behind the team and the Management and team will take inspiration from that and strive to deliver another 3 points to ensure the BU remain at the summit of the league.

Into the game then and it was normal service as oppose to last week with the BU back attacking the goal toward Kinneil School in what has always been known as the 1st half way for the home side. With both teams enjoying possession early on a chance fell each way with Hunter doing well to clear a ball out the BU box, and Keast at the other end saw the ball fall to to him in the box, as the keeper came out he tried to lob it over him only for a Haws defender to clear the ball close to the line. With the game still fairly even and both keepers not having a lot to do a blow for the BU came with a potential injury 23 minutes in when Snowdon had to go off and was replaced by Syme. Minutes later a corner was smashed clear by the home side. Nimmo done well winning the ball on half way for the home side. As the half progressed the home side kicking against the breeze that was lifting every now and then were starting to look the better and good oaky down the right saw a ball across and an acrobatic clearance from near the goal line from the Haws defence. Positions had also changed at the back with Hunter starting at left back now moving to the centre of defence where Snowdon was alongside Campbell and Syme going to left back. A decent free kick curled in left the visiting defence more to do clearing the ball. 2 minutes to half time and another ball was cleared out this time with a good header as the home side had tried to push for a goal before half time. Keast saw a shot of inches wide of the post after a great ball in from Gemmil a deflection meant a corner to the home side. In it came and the visitors cleared before going on a quick counter which ended with a shot over Murphy’s cross bar.

Half time BU 0 - 0 Hill of Beath.

Into the 2nd half and an early corner from the home side was cleared. The visitors broke forward and down went their forward near the edge of the box. It looked soft and the home players clearly thought It was soft as many from both sides ended up in an argument come scrap. Between the referee and the linesman on the far side things were soon sorted out. The free kick was struck towards goal and Murphy made a terrific save sending the ball for a corner. Forward then came the home side and as the ball was cleared it looked like a throw to the home side but the linesman kept his flag down and play continued. Minutes later the home side were on the attack again and Grant played a good ball over. It went for a corner and as it was swung in Ritchie was there to score his 1st goal for the BU. There is an argument that it possibly wasn’t a shot but the home fans were delighted and the most important thing is the home side were in the lead. 21 minutes into the half and a great shot from Morgan stung the gloves of the Haws keeper. Morgan then done well again winning a header knocking the ball down to Grant who played a great pass out wide only for the flag to go up for offside. The visitors got forward but the ball was easily won back by the home side and as Keast took it away quickly down the right hand side he was brought down with no intent to play the ball. The referee agreed and quickly went to his pocked producing a red card to leave the Haws playing the last 17 minutes with 10 men. 5 minutes later it was worse for the visitors as Ritchie was brought down in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. A 2nd booking meant red and 9 men for the Haws. Morgan the penalty taker stepped up and stuck it well enough but it was at the keeper who made the save. The home side kept the pressure on however and a great ball found Grant who only had to direct the ball to score but he failed to do so and it went over the bar. A sub form Gaffer Max Christie saw Ritchie replaced by Donnelly with now 6 minutes to go. It was the home side now finishing the game strongly but wary of a quick counter there was always plenty cover left back on the half way line. The final 2 chances of the match were for the BU as Keast tried his luck from distance and Nimmo had a good shot from outside the box as well.

Full time BU 1 - 0 Hill of Beath.