Bo’ness United make the long journey down the M74 to meet Gretna 2008 hoping to get back to winning ways. The BUs have lost their last three games, exiting both the Scottish and East of Scotland Qualifying cups and Saturday’s defeat against Tranent saw the East Lothian side leap frog Bo’ness into fourth place in the table.

Gretna 2008 are not enjoying a good season being second bottom of the pile with only two wins from eighteen starts. They are only one point ahead of Edinburgh University who have played one game less. Gretna visited Newtown Park earlier in the season, Bo’ness scoring in each half courtesy of Louis Kennedy and Fin Malcolm. The win was hard fought, Gretna proving a tough nut to crack, the report from this game available at the end of the preview.

Since the beginning of October Bo’ness have won ten points from a possible twenty-one. It has been enough to keep in touch with most of the teams above them but in a tight league, those below have been closing the gap. Inconsistent form with defensive lapses and missed chances have been an issue, although the effort the players are putting in has not been in question. Saturday’s loss against Tranent included these elements, Bo’ness conceding late in the first half after creating a couple of opportunities of their own. Unfortunately, they were unable to get back with a time added on goal rubbing salt in the BU wound. The report for this game follows the preview.

Given Gretna’s lowly position, Bo’ness are seen as favourites to take all the points but it’s worth noting that Gretna won their last home game, beating Broomhill. Bo’ness know they face another tough encounter in their desire to keep pace with those around them. The players must be fully focussed on achieving a positive result while the BU Faithful are keen to be there to see their favourites get a win under their belts. Gretna represents a return trip of over two hundred miles with almost four hours on the road but a BU win can make the road back home considerably more pleasant.

John Spowart
Friday 15 December 2023

Date – Saturday 05 August 2023
Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Bo'ness United 2
(Kennedy 19, Malcolm 57)
Gretna 2008 0

Bo’ness United continued their winning run although Gretna 2008 provided tough opposition as they were determined to avoid the heavy defeat experienced in their previous three games to date. As predicted Bo’ness enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and were unfortunate not to win by a greater margin. In saying that, the visitors did create a few chances but were unable to get on the scoresheet.

The early part of the game was all Bo’ness, a goal line clearance from a Tom Grant corner only delaying the breakthrough. That was just short of twenty minutes when Carter Jenkins passed back to the Trialist keeper who dallied allowing the sharp Louis Kennedy to pounce, dispossessing the Gretna number one before sliding the ball into the empty net.

Despite continuing to press Bo’ness were unable to add to their lead and just before half time Gretna could and should have got themselves back on equal terms. The first was a Robbie Ivison cross that the Trialist forward headed over and the same player missed a great chance this time from a Joseph Dixon cross, again the header missing the target.

After the break Gretna took the game to Bo’ness but ironically it was during this period the BUs scored a second as Ryan Porteous sent Tom Grant up the left wing and his ball into the middle was met perfectly by Fin Malcolm to shoot home from close in. Gretna were unable to respond and their cause was not helped by Ivison receiving a straight red card for something said. Just before the end Bo’ness were unlucky not to add to their tally when substitute Kieran Mooney not once, but twice hit the woodwork to give a fairer reflection of the game.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson, Ward, Hawkins, McArthur, Gemmell (Henderson 62), Kennedy (Stenhouse 62), Johnston (Macaulay 81), Malcolm (Dalziel 62), Porteous, Grant (Mooney 77).
Subs (Not Used): Irving, SG Fullerton

Date – Saturday 09 December 2023
Competition – Park’s Motor Group Lowland League

Bo'ness United 0
Tranent 2
(Watson 40, Ross 90+3)

A goal late in each half gave Tranent all the points and saw Bo’ness United lose their third game in a row while dropping to fifth place in the table.

Bo’ness competed well in a frantic first half and had a good early chance, Lewis McArthur heading over from a Tom Grant corner. There was action at both ends but five minutes before the break it was Tranent who made the breakthrough when a low cross from Dean Brett went beyond the far post where Broque Watson had space to side foot his shot into the net.

Tranent upped their game in the second half and Bo’ness struggled to make an impact. They did get forward at times but were unable to convert and lost a second goal in time added on. From a throw deep inside their own half Bo’ness were unable to clear and the ball was played into the box where Cammy Ross was quickest nipping in to slot into the empty net.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Irving, Macaulay, Travis, McArthur, Gemmell (Henderson 74), Stenhouse, Foster, Dalziel (Johnston 60), Grant (Mooney 60). Porteous, Subs (Not Used): Stevenson, Malcolm, Kennedy SG Ritchie