Match Preview

Match preview submitted by JOHN SPOWART!

Match Preview 2019 2020

Bo’ness United make what has become a familiar trip to Foresters Park to face Tranent Juniors for another important, and again difficult Premier Division match.

The sides met on no less than five occasions last season, four of them in Tranent, Bo’ness edging with three wins to Tranent’s two. The last meeting was in a League Cup tie at Foresters Park, where Bo’ness looked down and out only to come back for a great win. The BUs scored early against the run of play through Michael Gemmell but an Iain Syme own goal and a superb Bradley Barrett strike saw Tranent ahead at half time, looking more comfortable than the score suggested. A Fraser Keast cross cum shot just after the break brought Bo’ness level before an Ian Black penalty restored the home side’s lead. Another Michael Gemmell counter changed the game and a transformed Bo’ness scored another two goals through Craig Comrie and Ross Campbell to beat a shell shocked Tranent.

The league game this season, the first to be played on the new pitch at Newtown saw Bo’ness win by the narrowest of margins. A Shaun Hill own goal had Bo’ness ahead at half time but three minutes before the ninety Lewis Hawkins brought Tranent level only for Chris Donnelly to score the winner for the BUs deep into time added on.

Tranent’s good early season form shaded a bit in recent weeks with three straight losses, at Jeanfield Swifts and at home to Broxburn Athletic and Sauchie Juniors. They bounced back last Saturday with a home win against Penicuik Athletic although went down to the same team in a midweek Football Nation Cup tie. Tranent have just appointed new manager Johnny Harvey following Calvin Shand’s departure just after a year in the job.

Bo’ness’s game at Sauchie last week was wiped out by the weather but they did start the defence of the League cup on Wednesday against Edinburgh United. Brian Ritchie opened the scoring for Bo’ness from the spot and Kieran Anderson scored his first two goals after his recent return to Newtown Park. A comfortable lead at the break for the BUs but in the second half they huffed and puffed and it was Edinburgh who pulled one back through Martin Maughan. However Bo’ness got the win to progress to the next round and can now focus on Saturday’s game.

The toughest of games demands a determined approach from the players and there is no doubt they will be mindful of this to ensure their team stays ahead in the Premier Division race. A well worn journey to Tranent, and the BU Faithful will be there to more than match the large home crowd and provide a noisy support for their favourites.

John Spowart
20 February 2020