Bo’ness United continues its Scottish Junior Cup return with a midweek trip to Ardrossan Winton Rovers. The game should have been at Newtown Park but with no available Saturdays the Ayrshire side was reluctant to travel to Bo’ness hence the switch to Winton Park.

Ardrossan are sitting midway in the first division of the West of Scotland League with five wins from twelve starts. Their last outing was a win at Kirkintilloch Rob Roy and in the last round of the Junior Cup they won at home to Kirriemuir Thistle. The Rovers are a division above the BUs round two opponents Kilsyth Rangers, so combined with the fact the tie is in Ardrossan it is likely to be a much tougher contest. Despite the tie against Kilsyth being the second game of that weekend for Bo’ness, three first half goals from Lewis Duffy, Harry McLinden and Fin Malcom set them up for the win. In the second half Roan Mina pulled one back for Kilsyth but Bo’ness never looked in any real danger of losing the game (Report).

Saturday saw Bo’ness knocked out of the South Challenge Cup, losing in extra time to Musselburgh Athletic. Tom Grant put Bo’ness ahead in the first half but goals from Nicolas Reid and Aiden Welsh had the visitors in front until Tom Grant scored his second to put the game into extra time. Musselburgh regained their lead through Gabriele Auriemma before Lucas Stenhouse once again pulled Bo’ness level. Just as the game looked to be heading to penalties, Nathan Evans popped up to win the tie for Musselburgh (Report)

It's twenty four years since Bo’ness visited Winton Park for a Scottish Junior Cup Round two match. A second half goal from Kevin Mullen settled the tie for Bo’ness who were made to work very hard for their victory (Report). No doubt Bo’ness will also have to work hard this time round, digging deep if they want to progress in the Junior Cup. It is likely only the most faithful of the BU Faithful will make the midweek journey to North Ayrshire but they are sure to make their presence felt as they cheer on the team.

John Spowart
Monday 18 November 2024

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Sunday 06 October 2024
Competition – Scottish Junior Cup Round 2

Bo’ness United 3
(Duffy 25, McLinden 30 Malcolm 43)

Kilsyth Rangers 1
(Mina 57)

Bo’ness United completed their weekend double header with a Scottish Junior Cup tie win against Kilsyth Rangers. Three first half goals had Bo’ness well on their way although Kilsyth pulled one back shortly after the break. Near the end Rangers missed a great chance to further reduce the leeway and make things difficult for the BUs in the closing minutes.

Kilsyth had the ball in the net in the first few minutes but Roan Mina was flagged for offside. Adam Smith then went close for the visitors with a shot but in twenty five minutes Bo’ness made the breakthrough. Keir Macaulay fired over a great corner to the back post where Lewis Duffy rose to head past his namesake in the Kilsyth goal. Five minutes later Bo’ness made it two, a Kilsyth clearance blocked by Keir Macaulay, the ball landing in the path of new loan signing Harry McLinden to lob over the head of the advancing keeper. Two minutes before half time Tom Grant put the ball into the path of Fin Malcolm who held off the Kilsyth defender at the edge of the box before making room for himself to curl a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Into the second half met a low cross from Kevin Lleshi, side footing past BU keeper Liam Campbell. The goal didn’t spark the expected onslaught and Bo’ness stuck to the task of getting through the game. They made good use of the substitute’s bench including U20s players Robbie Murdoch and Kieran Philibin being introduced to the fray. Into the final minutes a good move by the visitors finished with Gary Stewart shooting from the edge of the box but unfortunately for the visitors the ball flew well over the bar. This allowed Bo’ness to play the game out and they now look forward to a third round tie at home to Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

Bo'ness: Campbell, Masson (Murdoch 63), Macaulay, Hawkins, Duffy, Henderson, Malcolm, Irving (Philibin 63), McLinden, Mitchell (Grant 23), Kennedy (Osadolor 63). Subs (Not Used): Johnston Gemmell, SG: Melrose

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Saturday 09 November 2024
Competition – CarMat Kings South Challenge Cup Round 4

Bo’ness United 3
(Grant 17 87, Stenhouse 98)

Musselburgh 4
(Reid 67, Walsh 74, Auriemna 96, Evans 120)

After Extra Time

A Nathan Evans goal in the final minute of extra time sent Bo’ness out of the South Challenge Cup, the BUs finishing on the wrong end of a seven goal thriller. Once again Bo’ness were unable to convert enough of the chances that came their way while a normally mean backline looked uncomfortable at times

After an even start Bo’ness struck just after fifteen minutes, Musselburgh losing the ball from their own throwrearguard allowing Tom Grant to curl a fine shot into the opposite corner of the net. Bo’ness might have added to their score as one goal never looked to be enough against an eager Musselburgh side.

After the turnaround Musselburgh worked to get back and after missing a couple of opportunities finally made the breakthrough. With just over twenty minutes remaining Gabriele Auriemna slipped a pass across the goal and Nicolas Reid gratefully shot home from six yards. Seven minutes later the East Lothian side were ahead as Bo’ness were dispossessed in the middle of the park and Aiden Welsh ran through to slip past the exposed BU keeper Cade Melrose.

All credit to Bo’ness who never gave up and three minutes before the ninety scored to take the game to extra time. A Keir Macaulay corner was headed towards goal by Kyle Johnston, the ball blocked by keeper Liam McCathie but Tom Grant pounced to slot home from close in. Just on the whistle a shout went up for a hand ball in the Musselburgh box but the referee waved away the claim and the game moved into extra time. Only six minutes in Musselburgh took the lead as the ball found its way to the unmarked Gabriele Auriemna beyond the post and he blasted a shot into the far corner of the net. Almost right away Bo’ness struck back, Lucas Stenhouse stroking home a Tom Grant pass.

Just before the break Bo’ness were reduced to ten men when the Kyle Johnston was shown a second yellow card, perhaps unlucky given other persistent offenders around him. The BUs were to face the final fifteen a man short though the outcome was still in the balance both teams still playing for a winner. With time running out and penalties looking more likely Musselburgh swapped keepers much to the frustration of the starting choice. As it was, the late strike won the game for Musselburgh with the inevitable contrast in feelings on the final whistle.

Bo’ness have little time to lick their wounds as they travel to Ardrossan Winton Rovers on Tuesday for a Scottish Junior Cup tie followed by a home league match against current leaders and Title favourites East Kilbride. Only then can they consider the return match at Musselburgh, this time in the Scottish Cup where clearly they must improve to have any hope of progressing in the National Tournament.

Bo'ness: Melrose, Masson, Macaulay, Duffy, Travis, Gemmell (Johnston 64), Stevenson (Osadolor 72), Irving (Henderson 80), Grant (McLinden 117), Porteous. Subs (Not Used): Hawkins Mitchell, SG: Ritchie.

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH REPORT SEASON 2008/2009

Date – Saturday 01 November 2008
Opponents – Ardrossan Winton Rovers
Competition – Citylink Scottish Junior Cup Round 2
Venue –Winton Park

Bo’ness United

1 Greg Logan
2 Gary Brown (Dingwall 9) (Scott 76)
3 Eamon Fullarton
4 Will Snowdon (Capt)
5 Graeme Gaffney
6 Kevin Mullen
7 Jon Mitchell
8 Mark Lukowiecki
9 Ross Muir (S Brown 26
10 Colin Allison
11 David Morrison

12 Scott Brown
14 Andy Scott
15 Scott Mauchline (Not Used)
16 Joe Dingwall
SG Gavin Kirkwood (Not Used)

Ardrossan

1 Stephen O’Neill
2 Jamie Paton (Graham 70)
3 Scott Houston (McAvoy 62)
4 David Wilson
5 Billy Easton (Capt)
6 William Gilmour
7 Graham Muir (Kennedy 70)
8 John Gallagher
9 Scott Adam
10 Graeme Hamilton
11 Keir Milliken

12 Stephen McAvoy
14 Martin Graham
15 Nial Kennedy
16 (Not Used)
17 (Not Used)

Referee: Stewart Hodge

Score (Half Time): 0 - 0 Score (Full Time): 1 – 0

Scorer (Bo’ness): Mullen 61

Yellow Card (Ardrossan): Gilmour

Bo’ness United had to work hard to dig out this Scottish Junior Cup victory at Ardrossan and they will be delighted to have the reward of a place in the hat for round three.

On a heavy pitch, the BUs created chances though their opponents also created many opportunities and Ardrossan will be disappointed they didn’t get at least a draw.

For the second game in a row there was a new name on the Bo’ness team sheet with Joe Dingwall having just signed from Arbroath. There was also a familiar face in the Ardrossan ranks in the form of David Wilson who had half a season at Newtown Park in 2006.

The game started even enough as Ardrossan sized up their opponents and Bo’ness tried to come to terms with a difficult pitch. After only nine minutes Bo’ness were forced into making a change when Gary Brown was injured and replaced by Dingwall. Not long after Muir also pulled up and Scott Brown was introduced to the fray.

Ardrossan made a bid for the lead when Gaffney headed clear from a dangerous Houston corner and then a Milliken cross flashed across the BU goal mouth but Muir’s drive went wide.

The BUs started to impose themselves on the game and Allison had a couple of headers on the Ardrossan goal and after a good move only a great reaction save by O’Neill stopped a Brown goal bound volley. Dingwall and Morrison also came close for Bo’ness though just before the break Adam just missed putting Ardrossan ahead.

A minute into the second half, Ardrossan’s Hamilton somehow managed to miss an open goal from only a few yards out. Gilmour then sent a shot from thirty five yards just over the Bo’ness bar and the home side clearly had their tails up. However it was not all one way and Ardrossan keeper O’Neill did well to grab a Morrison lob.

In 60 minutes Adam sliced the Bo’ness defence open with a pass to Milliken but BU keeper Logan did magnificently to stick out a foot, stopping the home side taking the lead. Milliken was left with his head in his hands and his anguish got worse when only a minute later Bo’ness took the lead. Allison sent the ball up the left to Mullen who dashed forward and his angled run on goal finished with a low shot that flashed into the net.

Ardrossan threw everything into getting a goal back and the action in the Bo’ness box was sometimes desperate as the BU defence cleared their lines. The home side were unable to get the vital final touch in front of goal but at the other end O’Neill got down to save from a Mullen free kick. In 89 it was Mullen again this time a cute lob that hit the Ardrossan post.

Into time added on and an Ardrossan free kick cross cleared the Bo’ness defence but Wilson could only steer the ball wide of the post and the day belonged to Bo’ness United.

BU Man of the Match: Kevin Mullen