Bo'ness Shade Crucial Encounter 

In a game that will be remembered more for the number of cards dished out, and the fact that Bonnyrigg Rose ended with eight men on the park, it was United who held on to take three vital points. It was a match that came to life in the second half and saw Bo'ness hanging on a little for the final whistle despite their three man advantage. Rose will feel aggrieved at some of the refereeing decisions but they had the better chances in the first forty five minutes and might well have taken something from the game. 


Bo'ness United welcomed McBookie.com Super League leaders Bonnyrigg Rose to Newtown Park in a key fixture at the top of the table. Rose held a four point lead over United and have three games in hand, so if United are to make a challenge, it was vital that they took something from the visitors today. Bonnyrigg are in a rich vein of form having fired seven past St Andrews last Saturday - top scorer Wayne McIntosh netting four -  and last tasted league defeat way back on 15th August. They are the league's top goalscorers and only Linlithgow have conceded fewer goals and their only defeat since August was to Pollok in the Scottish Junior Cup - in all competitions they have scored nearly ninety goals!!!! In the reverse fixture played at the end of October, Rose won by the odd goal in five. 

On a lovely afternoon, there was fully eleven minutes on the clock before there was any action to report. It was a Bo'ness corner which Sloan delivered to Campbell's head, but he put his effort wide. Minutes later Hunter headed over from another corner. 

With seventeen minutes played, Bonnyrigg had their first attempt in goal. McIntosh found Donaldson but his deliberate effort went tamely beyond the far post. 

The game was bogged down in midfield with little goalmouth action, but after twenty nine minutes there was controversy. Bonnyrigg's Turner appeared to be upended in the box but when the ball broke to Gray he curled his shot into the far corner. However, referee Peter Stuart had already decided that Turner had dived and booked him for simulation. 

United replaced Nimmo after thirty minutes with Gemmill - the midfielder looking decidedly unhappy with his withdrawal. 

Rose had a chance after thirty two minutes when Gray's cross was nearly hooked home by McIntosh, but his effort drifted just wide. Two minutes later, Horne crossed well but Nelson shot across the face of the goal. Horne again was the provider minutes later,  but the league's top scorer McIntosh, put his effort wide when he looked sure to score. Rose were starting to find their form and a Nelson free kick seven minutes before the break was headed past the far post by Hoskins - when he should have hit the target. 

The half ended with Bo'ness' McAteer having a half chance after an error by Andrews in the visitors goal. 

The first half was fairly even but Rose had spurned two great chances to lead at the turnaround. 


Half Time Bo'ness United 0;  Bonnyrigg Rose 0

There were no changes at the break with Bo'ness straight into the offensive and after 48 minutes they took the lead. A long ball was played through by Devine, Hoskins and Andrews both seemed unsure of who should clear it allowing SIMPSON to slip and slide it past the advancing keeper into the empty net. 

Rose were straight back in the attack and a Nelson cross allowed McGachie to head it down for Turner, but his effort was blocked by Christie in the home goal. 

With 54 minutes played, Bo'ness doubled their advantage. Sloan's free kick was a vicious one and Andrews could only parry it. The ball broke to an United player whose effort game back off the post but when it came to PHILP he forced it over the line. It was a scrambled effort and Rose will be disappointed they didn't clear it. 

United had their tails up now and Philp tried a shot from range which went last. 

After sixty minutes, Sloan again fired in a vicious free kick that appeared to be headed over by one of his own players. 

Rose created a chance just after the hour. Nelson's corner was cleared only as far as Hoskins on the left. His cross was was headed by McGachie but Christie saved well and when the ball broke back to Hoskins his effort went over. 

With sixty five minutes played, Sloan again hit a great free kick which somehow was headed for a corner by Young. 

Rose replaced McGachie and Gray at this point with Kidd and McLaren. 

Turner, who worked tirelessly for the visitors, then had a great run down the right. The ball came to McIntosh but his effort was deflected for a corner. 

United made their own final two substitutions - with McAteer and Keast making way for Wright and Walker. Almost immediately, Wright nearly scored when he got on the end of a Devine cross but Andrews saved well.  

With seventy three minutes played, Rose were reduced to ten men when Hoskins was dismissed. The centre back had already been yellow carded but seemed to receive a straight red after the intervention of the assistant referee! 

The game was very open now and Sloan brought out a fine save from Andrews. From the resultant corner taken by Sloan, Campbell's fine header was saved well by Andrews. 

With eight minutes left, Rose were reduced to nine men when McIntosh received a second yellow for an off the ball incident. At this point the game was punctuated by yellow cards. 

Surprisingly, the nine men of Rose created a chance when Turner's  fine work allowed Kidd to shoot wide. 

With five minutes left, Rose did manage to score. Kidd's through ball was gathered by McLaren and he cleverly chipped Christie. 

Although there was no more goals the crime count was not finished and when United broke away Donaldson received his second yellow for a soft foul!! Rose were now down to eight men!!

Bo'ness probably deserved the win for their second half performance but Rose will be kicking themselves for their indiscipline. The wins opens up the race for the championship a little but Rose remain top!  

Sloan and Hunter were best for United with Turner and Nelson hard working for the visitors.


Next week Rose travel to Dundee to meet high flying Downfield from the McBookie.comNorth Division in the D J Laing East of Scotland Cup, while Bo'ness continue on league duty with a tricky trip to Hill of Beath Hawthorn. 

Full Time Bo'ness United 2; Bonnyrigg Rose1 

Teams 
Bo'ness United
Christie, Snowdon, Devine, Campbell, Hunter, Nimmo,  Simpson, Philp, McAteer, Keast and Sloan,  Subs Donnelly, Gemmill, Gibb, Walker and Wright 

Bonnyrigg Rose 
Andrews, Horne, Donaldson, Stuart, Young, Hoskins, Gray, Turner, McGachie, Nelson and McIntosh  Subs Kidd, Drummond, Brown, McLaren and Rooney 

Referee Peter Stuart 
Assistants John Brown  and Michael Harte 


Gordon Baird 
Neutral Reporter