Bo'ness United 3-1 Newtongrange Star

A view from the terraces, kindly supplied by BRYAN COPELAND!

As the home league game keep coming for the BU almost making up for all the away games at the start of the season it’s a good time for the BU sitting top of the table by 4 points. Incredibly the run of Max Christie must be getting close to a record as he still remains unbeaten in league matches since taking the reigns in January this year. If you were to ask anyone connected with the BU the results are what matters most and even though the last 7 games in all competitions have been won by just the 1 goal margin a wins a wins.
Today’s opponents Star are no strangers to Bo’ness with the 2 sides having met twice already this season once in a cup tie that was meant as a home game for the BU switched to Newtongrange which the BU won comfortably and a league game also played away from home for the BU which also brought us a win and 3 points.
The importance of keeping the results coming I’m sure will be stressed by the Manager and all the players will know it’s important to put in a performance and remain at the business end of the league. With a break for the BU next week having been unable to get a competitive fixture due to other teams involved in cup ties after today’s game the next competitive match will be a home league game against Blackburn on Saturday the 16th. There is a friendly arranged for Tuesday the 5th of November which will see the BU take on Bo’ness United Community Juniors.
I’m sure however Max will be taking it 1 game at a time and the large BU support will be out as always to spur the team on.

The 1st half began with the BU attacking the goal towards the Kinneil School End. An early free kick saw a chance to get the ball into the box but after it was won by Keast the visiting defence done well to clear. At the other end Star had a half chance but it was well defended. Nimmo hit a free kick from the edge of the box that was blocked by the wall although there was appeals for hand ball. Minutes later and the opening goal game. A good ball over the box left Brian Ritchie with a free header at the back post and he sent the ball into the net. BU 1 - 0 Star. Shortly after the restart a shot was blocked by home defence. Ryan Stevenson then done really well breaking into the visitors box with a good run only to be blocked just as he went to get a shot away. Up to the other end and the score was level, Star turned the BU defence inside out with a good run leaving Murphy exposed, he tried to narrow the angle but the ball was heading towards the bottom corner, Stevenson tried his best to make a last ditch block but the ball came off him as it headed into the net. BU 1 - 1 Star. The game settled down for a bit before we then saw another goal. A free kick on the edge of the box for the home side game a shooting opportunity. Tom Grant struck it goal wards in what can only be described as a sublime finish into the top corner. BU 2 - 1 Star. The visitors tried to get back into the hand quickly and a half chance was cleared before Murphy showed sage hands with a straight forward catch. A minute from half time and the cost odd found themselves reduced to 10 men. Nimmo was brought down meaning a 2nd yellow. Snowdon played the free kick forward and the ball went for a corner. Morgan swung it in and Ritchie got his head to it but the ball was off target.
Half time BU 2 - 1 Star.

Into the 2nd half and the home side started well controlling the ball well and holding possession. This paid off as a corner was won and as Morgan swung it in Keast was the first to react and tapped the ball into the net. BU 3 -1 Star. The visitors got a corner from the restart which came to nothing and a free kick was won by the BU as they came back forward. A shot was sent towards goal but it was an easy catch for the visiting keeper. The home side were looking dominant now and another move forwards resulted in a corner. Morgan swung it in and saw it cleared. Minutes later a mother corner this time at the other side was sung in by Grant and Campbell got a good head on the ball only to see it deflected for another corner. Grant took it again this time short to Morgan who played the ball back ready to be crossed, this time the Star defence cleared. A change from Gaffer Max Christie saw Ritchie replace by McKenzie with 22 minutes remaining. Minutes later and Michael Gemmil passed the captains band to Will Snowdon as he was replace by Comrie. Mckenzie broke into the box but a very soft foul was given against him. With the home side still dominating McKenzie done well out wide beating his man but the ball over run him. The referee however had spotted a foul and brought the play back. Morgan dummied and Grant crossed before Keast forced the visiting keeper into a great save from close range. Snowdon picked the ball up and beat his man before producing a brilliant ball into the box, Campbell attacked it and got his head to it from 7 yards or so but the ball went wide of the post. Yet another great ball in alimony found Morgan at the back post with 12 minutes now remaining. The visiting keeper was called into action again as he got down low to block a shot on target from close range. More defending was needed from the visitors as they had to head another decent ball clear from their box in a match that was now looking comfortable for the the home side with only a few minutes to go. Campbell made a good tackle on half way before Morgan tried to play in McKenzie but his through ball was blocked. The home side continued to keep the ball well and saw out a well deserved victory and remain top of the EOS Premier League.
Bo’ness United 3 - 1 Newtongrange Star.