Saturday has Bo’ness United traveling to Civil Service Strollers, the original scheduled fixture in early December postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The Strollers have visited Newtown Park twice this season, an early league match and a league cup tie just over a month ago. In the first game Bo’ness scored three to the Strollers’ two, a Lucas Stenhouse brace seeing Bo’ness two up in half an hour, Euan Valentine pulling one back before the break. With ten minutes remaining Ryan Porteous restored the two goal lead for Bo’ness, although Luca Vata managed a late consolation (Report). In the League Cup contest Bo’ness were two up within half an hour thanks to Ryan Schiavone and Keir Foster. Alieu Faith got Strollers back into the game just before half time but Max Dowling finished the tie just before the end (Report). Bo’ness lost last season’s encounter at Christie Gillies Park, Harry Girdwood scoring in the first half with Matthew Cunningham sealing the points just before the end. Bo’ness had enjoyed a lot of possession but were unable to make it count (Report).

Since the league cup game Civil Service Strollers have gained six points from a possible fifteen and are only one place behind the BUs. In amongst these results was an impressive win against Caledonian Braves and on Tuesday they drew with Broxburn Athletic. During that same period Bo’ness have reached the final of the League Cup although their league form has disappointed with only one win in the last five. They drew at Albion Rovers on Saturday and on Tuesday won at Broomhill, Keir Macaulay putting Bo’ness ahead in the first half with Keir Foster doubling the lead after the break. Six minutes from time Alex Fairlie gave Broomhill some hope with a goal but Bo’ness held on for the win (Report). A decent week and something to build on.
Civil Service Strollers will be looking avoid a third defeat by Bo’ness and do so in the knowledge the BUs have yet to chalk up a victory at Christie Gillies Park. A win for either side puts them above the other while keeping some distance from the teams below. Bo’ness worked hard in the last two games to achieve the draw at Albion Rovers and the win at Broomhill, and the same effort is needed for Saturday. Not too many of the BU Faithful made the evening trips to Coatbridge or Dumbarton but North Edinburgh on a Saturday afternoon being a mere thirty minutes away is likely to see a sizeable number to be there making their presence felt.

John Spowart
21 March 2025

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Tuesday 20 August 2024

Competition –Park’s Motors Group Lowland League

Bo'ness United 3
(Stenhouse 23 27, Porteous 80)

Civil Service Strollers 2
(Valentine 39, M Vata 88)

Bo’ness United managed a victory against Civil Service Strollers where the contest was not only against their opponents but once again the horrible overhead conditions that made it a difficult game to both play in and watch. Shooting into the wind it was the BUs who went ahead as Lucas Stenhouse was strong in brushing off a challenge wide on the left before cutting across to angle low into the near corner of the goal. That was just over twenty minutes in and only four minutes later it was two for Bo’ness and Stenhouse. The youngster took a short corner to Keir Macaulay who crossed into the box and by the time Stenhouse moved into the goalmouth the ball found its way to him to shoot in in just inches from the line. Just before the break the Strollers pulled one back as a cross from Euan Valentine was caught in the breeze, the ball sailing over BU keeper Liam Campbell and into the net.

Into the second half and as is common, Bo’ness struggled with the elements at their back with overhit passes and crosses. However, they were getting shots and with ten minutes remaining a tidy Ryan Porteous half volley just inside the box regained the two goal cushion. Just before the end however Civil Service again pulled one back Campbell punching clear but only as far as Luca Vata who from twelve yards fired low into the Bo’ness net. There was no further scoring and the Bo’ness win was welcomed by the hardy souls who had braved the elements to watch their team and congratulate Ryan Stevenson’s two hundredth appearance for Bo’ness United.

Bo'ness: Campbell, Stevenson Trialist 72), Macaulay, Hawkins, Rutherford (Duffy 82), Grant (Irving 67), Stenhouse, Johnston, Osadolor, Porteous, Nicol (Kennedy 82). Subs (Not Used): Gemmell, Malcolm, SG: Melrose.

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Tuesday 18 February 2025

Competition – Lowland League Cup Round 2

Bo’ness United 3
(Schiavone 3, Foster 28, Dowling 89)

Civil Service 1
(Faye 42)

Bo’ness United progressed into the last four of the Lowland League Cup although not without a struggle as the tie at home to Civil Service Strollers was only settled in the final minutes. The BUs started well scoring after only three minutes, a Ryan Schiavone angled shot that flew into the opposite corner of the net. Ryan Stevenson then stung the hands of Strollers keeper Freddie Owens with a shot from distance and just before the half hour mark Bo’ness extended their lead, Keir Foster scoring on his Newtown return, looping a header over the Civil keeper’s head. The Strollers created a decent chance, Matthew Shaw heading just past from a Euan Valentine free kick cross and just before the break they did pull a goal back as Liam Campbell grabbed an Alieu Faye header but the near side assistant signalled the ball had crossed the line.

As much as Bo’ness had been the better side during the first half, after the turnaround they struggled as Civil Service took the game to their hosts. The BU defence came to the fore as the ball was increasingly being sent back into the Bo’ness box. They created a number of opportunities and as the half wore on the Strollers were looking the likelier for the next goal. That next strike was to be defining and in the final minute it was Bo’ness who confirmed their place in the semi final, Max Dowling cutting inside before firing a shot low into the Strollers net.

Bo’ness: Campbell, Stevenson (Duffy 81), Macaulay, Irving, Hawkins, Johnston, Mitchell (Osadolor 81), Dowling, Schiavone (McCormick 46), Foster (Kennedy 81), Grant (Connolly 75). Subs (Not Used): Hamilton, Hutchison

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2023/2024

Date – Saturday 02 September 2023

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Civil Service Strollers 2
(Girdwood 28, Cunningham 89)

Bo'ness United 0

Bo’ness United’s recent slump continued with a defeat at Civil Service Strollers in a season that has taken on a similar pattern as this time last year. That started with six games undefeated followed by a series of defeats, once again the BUs looking to find a way to get back to the winning habit.

At Christie Gillies Park Bo’ness went close early on, a Scott Dalziel shot crashing off the underside of the bar before being cleared. As it turned out it was the Strollers who took the lead in half an hour as the BUs failed to clear their lines allowing Harry Girdwood to fire home on the turn from close in. Girdwood had another chance saved by BU keeper Musa Dibaga. In between Kyle Johnson saw a cross ball saved by Strollers trialist keeper at the second attempt and Johnston was in action at the other end blocking a goal bound Callum Yeats effort.

In the second half Bo’ness set about getting back into the game and dominated the play in their attempt to get that vital strike. Unfortunately, all too often the final ball let them down while unable to find the target with their goal attempts. The closest Bo’ness came was a Ryan Porteous shot tipped over by the Strollers’ keeper. As the game drew to a close the BUs continued to press but were caught out as Kris Amponsah won the ball wide on the right and Matthew Cunningham converted the incoming low cross.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson, Macaulay, Gemmell, McArthur, Henderson, Kennedy (Stenhouse 46), Johnston, Dalziel, Porteous, Grant (Mooney 56).
Subs (Not Used). Ward SG Fullerton

BO’NESS UNITED MATCH SUMMARY SEASON 2024/2025

Date – Tuesday 18 March 2025

Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Broomhill 1
(Fairlie 83)

Bo’ness United 2
(Macaulay 31, Foster 67)

After the defeat at Newtown Park ten days ago, Bo’ness United exacted some revenge as they scrapped to a well deserved win at Broomhill. All the things missing from the first game were shown in abundance on what appeared a tricky surface as Bo’ness tackled and harried to win the ball while creating numerous chances throughout the game.

Ryan Schiavone fired wide from a Lucas Stenhouse cut back and Ryan Stevenson hit a shot from outside the box declaring the Bo’ness intent from the start, At the other end Arnault Kasa had a go but his effort went wide of the target. Just after half an hour Bo’ness got ahead as a good move seemed the peter out only for Max Dowling to gather then pass to Keir Macaulay whose shot from just outside the box flashed via an unfortunate Broomhill defender’s head into the top corner of the net.Just on the half time whistle Broomhill almost equalised as a freekick was launched into the Bo’ness box but BU keeper Liam Campbell made a great block to stop Alex Fairlie’s close in shot.

After the break Bo’ness continued to create chances though Broomhill worked to get back on terms. A Max Dowling strike was blocked and keeper Harry Broun had to look smart to turn a couple of Lucas Stenhouse efforts round his post. As it was, with just over twenty minutes remaining another Stenhouse shot, this time parried by Broun and Keir Foster was quick to react netting the rebound. For a while Bo’ness weren’t sure whether to twist or stick and Broomhill upped their efforts to find the net. Bo’ness defended resolutely but with seven minutes remaining Broomhill did get a goal, a cross to the near post headed in by Alex Fairlie. A scare for Bo’ness but they managed the game well in the final minutes and held on for a well earned victory.

Bo’ness United: 1 Liam Campbell, 20 Ryan Stevenson, 3 Keir Macaulay, 4 Lewis Hawkins (Hutchison 54), 5 Lewis Duffy, 6 Max Dowling, 7 Lucas Stenhouse (Kennedy 74),
8 Kyle Johnston Capt, 9 Ryan Schiavone (Mitchell 74), 10 Dan Irving, 11 Keir Foster

Subs: 12 Louis Kennedy, 14 Kieran Mitchell, 15 Michael Gemmell (Not Used),
16 Smart Osadolor (Not Used), 17 Billy Hutchison, SG Scott Ritchie (Not Used)