Bo’ness United take a break from Lowland League business as they make a trip to Hawick Royal Albert in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup. This is the first meeting between the sides and another new ground for the BU Faithful to experience.

Hawick have gone through a traumatic period, entering the Lowland League seven years ago only to be relegated the following season. They have since gone through various conferences and eventually found themselves in Division two of the East of Scotland League. Relegated at the end of the last campaign, Hawick are now in Division three where so far they have played three matches winning their first at Pumpherston followed by two defeats at home to Edinburgh Community and West Calder United.

In contrast, Bo’ness have moved in the opposite direction and this season have enjoyed a good start, having won their first five Lowland League matches, currently sitting top of the table. However, at Edinburgh University last week Bo’ness had to show their fighting qualities, after being one ahead at the break they conceded two before clawing themselves back to get the win.

The BUs had been forced into making two early substitutions due to injury but they got ahead just after the half hour as Louis Kennedy backheeled into the path of Tom Grant who saw his first shot blocked but followed up to shoot low past Edinburgh keeper Smith Samuel. As the half drew to a close Edinburgh could have got back but a Dibaga save from Maskrey and a Will Antoniuk shot hitting the post meant Bo’ness went in with their narrow lead intact. In saying that, early in the second period Bo’ness conceded twice, Lewis Hendrie shooting home from a Maskrey cross and the same pair combined, this time a header from a cross to the back post.

Bo’ness, facing their first defeat of the season worked to get back on terms and did so with a speculative shot from distance by Louis Kennedy that looked harmless until the Uni keeper got down but fumbled, allowing the ball to bounce over him into the net. With twelve minutes remaining the BUs regained their lead as Keir Macaulay and Ryan Stevenson combined, sending Dan Irving down the right and his cross was headed in at the near post by Lucas Stenhouse. Bo’ness looked to see out the game but on ninety minutes Ryan Stevenson ran forward, skipping past three defenders before angling past Samuel.

In last season’s East of Scotland Qualifying Cup Hawick exited at this stage, losing to Blackburn United at Albert Park. Bo’ness managed a round further winning at Vale of Leithan only to go down at Linlithgow Rose. Bo’ness, being four tiers above Hawick in the Scottish football pyramid are clear favourites to win this tie but were also favourites in their last two league matches against Gretna 2008 and Edinburgh University. Nevertheless, they had to work hard in both games to get the victories and it will be no different at Albert Park where the players know maximum effort is required against the hosts who have nothing to lose. All the pressure is on Bo’ness and it’s another sizeable journey for the BU Faithful who will be there in numbers to encourage their players to get through this tie.

John Spowart
17 August 2023