Match Preview

With Linlithgow Rose’s Scottish Cup tie at Jeanfield Swifts postponed due to wet
weather they must now travel to Perth this weekend putting the scheduled derby
match on hold and Bo’ness United will visit Penicuik Athletic who were due to play
Jeanfield. Penicuik had no complications with their match, disposing of Whitehill
Welfare and move on to the first round proper of the competition facing a tricky visit
to Cumbernauld Colts.
Reaching this far in the National tournament illustrates the progress Penicuik has
made over recent years. Since being promoted from the East Juniors in 2014, they
have gone from strength to strength. Penicuik won their Conference last season only
losing out to Bonnyrigg in the play offs, while off the field, achieved the SFA licence
resulting in their entry into the Scottish Cup and eligibility for advancement to the
Lowland League.
Currently Penicuik are one point and one place ahead of Bo’ness in the Premier
Division table, both teams having played four matches. This weekend’s winners will
make up ground on present leaders Linlithgow who have played one game more.
Penicuik won their last league match at Dundonald but they suffered an earlier loss,
going down at home to Hill of Beath Hawthorn.
Bo’ness endured their first defeat of the season on Saturday losing at Musselburgh
Athletic in the Alex Jack Cup. A slow start saw the BUs two goals behind after only
half an hour and the task was made even harder when Stuart Hunter was red carded
after clashing with Nathan Evans. Michael Gemmell then had to leave the park,
colliding with his own goalkeeper Andy Murphy but it was his replacement, Will
Snowdon who pulled one back just before the break. Eleven minutes into the second
half Bo’ness were down to nine when Chris Donnelly was sent off for a tackle on
Jackie Myles although Musselburgh were fortunate to escape punishment for their
fierce reaction, Donnelly grounded by a Musselburgh player. A third goal made things
even more difficult for Bo’ness and, although they did create chances to get back, it
was not to be their day. The defeat means the loss of a possible route into the
Scottish Cup and the BUs must either win the League or gain their SFA licence to
ensure qualification next season.
Their latest visit to Penicuik Park was last season’s League Cup Final win against
Musselburgh but before that the BUs lost by the odd goal in five at the tail end of the
season before. Ryan Millar had cancelled out an Andrew Sinclair strike for the home
side but Arran Ponton regained the lead for Penicuik while Aaron Somerville
appeared to make the points safe before the end. Stuart Hunter scored what was no
more than a consolation in time added on. Bo’ness last won at Penicuik over five
years ago in an East of Scotland Cup tie. Tony Jaconelli and Steven Hislop had put
Bo’ness two goals ahead only for Craig Miller and James McPartlin to claw Penicuik
back into the game. However, the BUs prevailed winning the penalty kick shoot-out.
The last outright win was six years before that, a David Morrison double and a strike
by Scott Brown good enough to beat goals from Martin Cameron and Ross
Montgomery.
Bo’ness want to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to get the win that will see them
move closer to the top but the trip to Penicuik, difficult in any circumstances, but
missing the experience of Hunter and Donnelly makes it even more of a challenge.
However, there are good players in the squad eager to come in as well as a vocal BU
Faithfull who will encourage the team all the way.