Bo'ness United 1-0 Dundonald Bluebell

A view from the terraces submitted by BRYAN COPELAND!

After the weather caused a waterlogged pitch last week at Carmuirs Park Camelon both Camelon and Bo’ness were the only teams in the league without a game last weekend as all others went ahead as planned. All in all however other result went the way of Bo’ness as teams around us at the top all dropped points still leaving us with our cushion. I’m sure this doesn’t mean however that Max and the team will be taking anything for granted as there is still a lot of games to play this season.
The unfortunate thing about the game last week being off was the BU didn’t get a chance to bounce back from the previous 2 results quickly after suffering a league defeat to Whitehill Welfare and a cup exit to Bonnyrigg. The 2 losses back to back was a 1st for manager Max Christie as in just over a year in charge he hadn’t lost 2 games in succession with us. The record he does hold however still stands very impressive having only suffered 2 league defeats this season and in fact that is the only 2 in his full reign so I’m sure today he will be looking to get a win and 3 points at home. It’s a busy schedule for the BU this month with 2 very tricky away trips in the leagues 2 holes games starting with today’s and a midweek cup tie all to be played so the best possible start to it would be 3 points today. It will be no easy feat however as today’s visitors are on the back of 2 wins both with plenty of goals scored and if we go back to our 2nd match of the season it was away to Dundonald and it took a Fraser Keast added time winner to earn us a share of the points that night.

Into the game then and it was fairly even for the opening 20 minutes with none of the 2 keepers having anything to do. The closest to goal was a shot when the ball fell nicely for Nimmo outside the box and he struck it nicely but just wide of the post. Good passing across the box playing high up the pitch saw the ball land to Jacobs who curled the ball in and saw it go just wide of the post. A ball up the right hand side found Morgan and he put in a really good cross for Fraser Keast to head into the net. BU 1 - 0 Dundonald 22 minutes played. The visitors tried to bounce back with a good ball across the box but it was easily dealt with by the home defence. Another forward break from the visitors followed with a very well timed through ball that was brilliantly intercepted by Murphy who was quick off his line to react. Morgan then done really well quickly winning the ball and playing a great pass out wide to Stevenson, he then done brilliant beating his man and putting a great cross in the box that went just over the head of Keast as he tried to direct it towards goal. The home side were soon on the attack again and a great ball across found Grant who put it wide when he could and possibly should have scored. Grant was back in action again however minutes later as he swung in a corner that was cleared back out towards him, he looped a ball towards goal from the edge of the box that lingered in the wind before the visiting keeper got a punch on it, had it dropped to a blue jersey it was a certain goal but unfortunately for the home side it didn’t. The home side we’re enjoying good possession now and forward they cams again forcing another corner. This time it was cleared to the edge of the box and the ball fell for Nimmo but not just quite right for a shot he tried anyways but the ball went high and wide partly due to being caught in the wind. Just a few minutes to half time and the home side were still looking well on top, Morgan played the ball brilliantly past a defender and put a great pass into the box for Stevenson, he connected with it really well and it looked to be a goal when the all actually hit off the side netting just wide of the post. The last action of the half saw the visitors get forward and as a ball cams into the box it was easily caught by Murphy although there was appeals for handball wave away.

Half time BU 1 - 0 Dundonald Bluebell.

Into the 2nd half and the home side with the wind now stared well, Keast beat his man out wide and out a decent ball across the box but then on the counter the visitors had a ball into the box that bounced and could have gone anywhere, thankfully for the home side it was cleared from danger. The half began to balance itself out with the visitors managing to get forward a couple of times as the BU looked to be sitting deep, a good attacking ball across the box had to be dealt with by the home defence and a decent ball in from a corner also had the visitors on the front foot. Forward then came the home side and grant played a really good ball in that was blocked by the keeper just before it got to Morgan who would have had a tap in. It was forward action again for the home side as Keast laid the ball of to Morgan, his pass right across the pitch was an absolute beauty only for the flag to go up as it landed at the feet of Ryan Stevenson who had strayed offside. The 1st change from BU manager Max Christie was Captain Chris (Dougie) Donnelly replace Grant.
Minutes later Stevenson lined up a feee kick from outside the box but it was hit straight at the waiting keeper who made a simple catch. The pressure was being piled on again by the home side high up the pitch as a good ball found Morgan out wide as he was judged to be just offside. Stevenson soon swung in a corner and it was hit towards goal the keeper knew nothing about it as it came off him and landed right at the feet of Donnelly he hooked the ball towards goal with a brilliant effort given that he was facing away only for the visiting keeper to pull off a great save and send the ball for another corner. The visitors came forward in 1 of the very few attacks and a dangerous ball found its way over the box that was well dealt with by the home defence. A 2nd change for the home side then saw Keast replaced by Ritchie with 10 minutes left to play. The ideal opportunity to seal the victory then came as a cross into the box was judged to be handled and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Morgan took charge of the ball and he tried to put it in the corner with what looked to be a decent strike, the visiting keeper saved it with his feet but the ball came back to Morgan who faced an open goal from no more than 7 yards but somehow managed to put the ball over the bar. Donnelly had the next shot on goal a minute as he met the ball on the turn but again this time it went over the bar. Hunter was on hand to clear sander at the Other end before the home side were back on the front foot with a good cross although play was stopped as the keeper was judged to have been fouled. With no more action to report the referee ended the match and a massive 3 points came the home sides way.

Bo’ness 1 - 0 Dundonald Bluebell - full time.