Bo'ness United 2-1 Linlithgow Rose

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

First match of the new decade and what a cracker it is, the local derby is finally back between neighbours and rivals Bo’ness and Linlithgow. The BU will be looking to start the decade as they ended the last with plenty of good results already this season and only one League defeat seeing us sit top of the pile. Visitors Linlithgow will also come over the flints full of confidence now managed by Brown Ferguson who has certainly steadied the ship since arriving. The league ranks may have Linlithgow mid table but 2 good wins in their last 2 including scoring 4 last week at home shows that they can be very dangerous. That last win for the Rose came while the BU were on their week off having opted to play Broxburn the week before.
Today’s match will be the 1st local derby for a while with both teams making the switch to the EOS and being drawn into different conferences last season there was no derby other than a friendly which also welcomed back players from the past on both sides for BU Captain Chris Donnelly’s testimonial.
The 1st competitive derby this season should have been played at Prestonfield earlier this season but due to Linlithgow having a cup tie postponed at Jeanfield Swifts the week before it, they had to play that on the day the derby was due with the BU sent to Penicuik instead.
Finally however derby day is here and before we get into the action a very happy new year to one and all.

Into the game and it was the home side that got it underway kicking towards Fisons so I would assume the visitors won the toss. The home side presses forward with a couple of corners early on but the Rose defence were up to the task of clearing the ball away from danger. A free kick on the left brought the opening goal for the home side on 7 minutes, Stevenson curled it into the box and with the Rose keeper all at sea Morgan ran in and almost got a touch on it but the goal is credited to Stevenson direct from the free kick. BU 1 - 0 Rose. The home side kept up the good start as a ball forward found Comrie in the box, at full stretch he got on the end of it but the ball went wide as the assistant flagged him offside. Another great ball was fired over from the left and Morgan narrowly missed getting on the end of it at the back post. The Rose were camped out in their own box as another great ball was delivered from Stevenson, Morgan almost got on it as it fizzed away for a goal kick. The 1st booking came as Campbell defended the ball on the edge of the box and sent it forward. As it was heading out for a throw a lunge from the Rose player earned him a yellow card. Another ball fizzed quickly over the visitors box this time the shot was blocked as the ball was sent towards goal. Murphy scrambles across his goal as a corner came in and went to nothing. On 31 minutes a dominant BU doubled the lead to 2-0 another brilliant ball from the left found Ritchie in plenty space and made no mistake finding the net. BU 2 - 0 Rose. Minutes later and the Ross keeper was forced into another save as the ball again headed towards his goal this time from outside the box. Brilliant play from the home side saw a great cross ball find Morgan and he curled it into the box forcing the Ross defence to head for a corner. The Rose keeper stayed rooted to his line as the ball came in forcing his defence into clearing for another corner. It was same again for a 3rd time before Ritchie headed the ball wide for a goal kick. Murphy then done well getting down low to make a simple stop in 1 of the few times the balm found its way into the home sides box. The half drew to a close with the home side in possession of the ball and after a brilliant display a fully deserved lead was taken into the dressing room.
BU 2 - 0 Rose - Half time.

Into the 2nd half and it started with a routine catch for Murphy in the BU goal before the BU were pressuring forward again. The Rose keeper again stayed on his line as he has done all game and the ball had to be cleared by his defence. Back it came again and this time with the keeper bearing the ball rattled the cross bar. On the break Murphy was called into action but again showed composure and calmness to save easily. With the BY staying solid all the Rose had was a shot from distance that sailed over the bar. As they came forward again though Ian Nimmo made a brilliant challenge but down went the Rose conning the referee into awarding a free kick. Nimmo landed with a yellow possible not for the challenge but for his reaction to the referee however he did deserve to appeal the wrong decision. The free kick was defended for a corner which was also easily defended. Another corner from the Rose was easily defended and Ryan Stevenson was taken out as he took the ball clear, advantage was played as Jacobs burst forward up the left and delivered a great ball over that was cleared. The rise tried to counter but Nimmo won the ball and played it out so Stevenson could get treatment. The referee duly booked the Ross player for his foul as the game was stopped and as we got back underway the Rose showed no intention of giving the home side the ball back as the referee restarted with a bounce ball. An effort was chipped over Murphy but also well over the bar for the Rose as the home side went into the last 15 minutes with their 2 goal lead in tact. 10 minutes to go and BU Gaffer Max Christie made a change as Keast replaced Nimmo. Just a minute later and the visitors had a lifeline the ball was played into then box and Murphy in the BU goal went to ouch it he got both fists on it but only put the ball downwards leaving the Rose to smash it into the net. BU 2 - 1 Rose. The home side kept the pressure off by keeping the ball well an playing it forward before a quick counter from the Rose saw the ball make it into the box it was put into the net but the whistle has already gone for a BU free kick. Forward came the home side again forcing the visiting keeper down low to make a save as the game now entered the final minute leaving the question of how much the referee would add on. In cane a corner from the Rose and chaos ensued as Murphy got a hand on it but it came straight back, Hunter got his body in the way before again it came toward goal and again hunter cleared before finally it was headed away for another corner. That was swung in and it went over everyone and away for a goal kick. Finally as Murphy played the ball up field and the home crowd erupted as the referee blew for full time. Overall a deserved win for the home side. Next up is an away league game against Blackburn United next Saturday.