Rose Issue Cup Final Warning to Champs

Newly crowned McBookie.com Super League champions Bo'ness United were the visitors to Linlithgow today in a rehearsal for Friday night's DFT ( Fife and Lothians) Cup final.

On a perfect afternoon (a great advert for Summer football) this local derby concluded both club's league fixtures for the 2013/14 season.

Linlithgow started the game brightly,  clearly determined that the visitors wouldn't be given time to settle. United looked a little jaded, perhaps their schedule of four games in eight days had taken it's toll. And it didn't take long for the Rose to go ahead. Hunter and Scott hesitated over a through ball and the speedy McLennan latched on to it. He raced in on goal and his shot went between Baillies legs and ended up in the far corner. Just four minutes later, after 21 minutes, a fine free kick by Nelson was met at the far post by McKillen whose cushioned header back across goal left Coyne the easiest of chances to head the second.

Bo'ness were stung into action and first Gribben, and then Sloan, had shots on goal but the Linlithgow defence coped easily.

Rose were dominating in midfield, with Shirra pulling the strings and created a number of chances. It came as no surprise then, when after 39 minutes, a short corner on the right was crossed in and although Hunter headed it clear, it fell to MacLellan on the edge of the box and his superb volley gave keeper Baillie no chance.

Three minutes later it was nearly 4 when a Shirra effort was cleared off the line.

Half Time Linlithgow Rose 3; Bo'ness United 0

Bo'ness made two changes at half time sending on Scott and Anderson for Sloan and Gribben and looked a different team. Indeed, Walker might well have reduced the arrears for them in the 46th minute but, after a goalmouth scramble where Christie made two good stops, Tyrell casually stopped the ball on the line and cleared. Bo'ness had the ball in the net a minute later after good work by Anderson and Campbell but Snowdon's effort was ruled off.

Substitute Anderson was having a fine second half but his good work was not providing goals. Rose, for their part, seemed fairly content to sit on their lead and run down the clock.

However, Bo'ness stunned the home team with three minutes remaining when a cross from the left was misheaded by Ovenstone and Campbell was on hand to turn it in. Rose had the last word though and in the last minute, Shirra's fine pass into the box allowed Diack to make it 4-1.

Rose were clearly up for this one and in no mood to let the new Champs celebrate. Shirra was superb in midfield and MacLellan deadly in front of goal. Bo'ness will be a very different proposition in Friday's cup final and no doubt the excellent Anderson, will feature at some point in that match.

Full Time  Linlthgow Rose 4; Bo'ness United 1

Gordon Baird - Neutral Reporter