Match Preview

Match preview submitted by JOHN SPOWART!

Bo’ness United are into the final third of their East of Scotland Premier Division campaign and face a challenging journey across the Clackmannanshire Bridge to play a rejuvenated Sauchie Juniors.

Games against Sauchie tend to be close fought tousy affairs as illustrated by this season’s tight BU win at Newtown Park and the goalless draw on the last visit to Beechwood Park. Brian Morgan scored the only goal against his former side last October, and in the game at Sauchie, Morgan was red carded late on as was Sauchie’s Terry Hewitt earlier in the game.

Sauchie are undefeated since the turn of the year, winning at Tranent Juniors before beating Newtongrange Star at home. Sauchie also drew at Linlithgow Rose. The club was boosted with the return of manager Fraser Duncan in October last year, Duncan having left the club a season and a half before. They lost heavily at Hill of Beath Hawthorn in the last game of 2019 but have responded in a positive way.

There have been many comings and goings between the clubs over the years and recently Iain Syme returned to Sauchie while Graeme MacGregor, Kris Faulds and Kyle Turnbull moved in the opposite direction. Brian Morgan and Craig Comrie moved to Bo’ness from Sauchie while Craig’s brother Alan, Jon Tully, Darren Cummings and Craig Donaldson have all played for the BUs. Jon Tully played 79 games for Bo’ness and was prominent in the season when the BUs were promoted to the Super League, having being relegated the year before.

Bo’ness were happy to get back to winning ways with the narrow win at home to Dundonald Bluebell. Fraser Keast struck early for Bo’ness but again, missed chances prevented a more comprehensive result, including a penalty saved late on. However, the victory was important in a table that will close up in the coming weeks and Bo’ness want to ensure they remain in the driving seat.

Sauchie is the first of the ten remaining, all tough, games and is the sole focus at this time. As usual the players must give their all to achieve a good outcome and the BU Faithful will make the trip over the Forth to do their bit for the cause.

John Spowart
12 February 2020