Bo'ness Cruise Past Toothless Burgh

Bo'ness were much too good for a rebuilt Musselburgh Athletic team who look a pale shadow of the side that reached the Scottish Junior Cup final last season.

Musselburgh started very slowly this season but an away victory over local rivals Newtongrange Star and a fine 5-1 away win last Saturday at Sauchie seemed to signal that better things lay ahead for the "Burgh". The men from the "Honest Toun" were looking for their first points at home this season. Bo'ness United also lost on Match Day 1 at home to Sauchie, but since then have recorded three wins and a draw and are one of the sides who will be up there challenging for the Super League title in May. They lead the league at this early stage by a single point and won last Saturday against Carnoustie Panmure.

Bo'ness fielded a strong side with the experienced Darren Cummings, a close season signing, leading the line. Musselburgh by contrast had only two substitutes listed although new signing from Newtongrange Star, Scott Swanney made his debut. Notable omissions from the home side were Jacky Myles and the promising Jedd Davie.

The opening stages were more memorable for some heavy tackling with Musselburgh full back John Hall fortunate not to see yellow. However, Musselburgh keeper Ross Combe was brought into action after nine minutes when he pulled off a fine stop from a Darren Gribben effort.

After ten minutes the visitors took the lead. The always dangerous Cummings was brought down by Hall on the right side of the box and referee Craig Ferguson pointed to the spot. GRIBBEN stepped up and casually sent Combe the wrong way. Two minutes later the lead was doubled. A cross from the left found Gribben whose shot was turned in by CUMMINGS.

With twenty minutes on the clock Musselburgh had their first meaningful shot. From a free kick over twenty yards out, Steven Thomson's shot dipped just over.

The game was being played in the Athletic half and it was no surprise when United added a third goal after twenty four minutes. Cummings laid back a cross to GRIBBEN on the edge of the box and his well placed strike gave Combe no chance.

Musselburgh didn't lack for effort but didn't look like opening their account with the best of their efforts a shot well wide from Kevin Bracks.

Half Time: Musselburgh Athletic 0; Bo'ness United 3

Neither side made changes at the break

Bo'ness has a strong claim for a second penalty turned down just after the break when goalkeeper Combe appeared to upend Nicky Walker,  but Refereee Ferguson waved their claims away.

Musselburgh came close after fifty four minutes when Thomson again fired a free kick just over. Thomson created another half chance for Alex Christie with twenty minutes remaining but the full back headed over.

However, it was the visitors who had the last say. With eighty five minutes on the clock Robert Sloan shot through the wall. Combe fumbled his effort and substitute MARK COWAN was on hand to turn the rebound home.

This game was effectively over by half time and although Athletic improved after the break,  when their reorganised back four proved more solid, they never looked like getting back into the contest.

Bo'ness seemed to be playing well within themselves in the second forty five minutes but never really looked like adding to their tally until that late strike.

Best for Bo'ness were Gribben - especially in the first twenty five minutes and Cummings who always looked lively. Michael Gemmell gave his usual all action performance. The defence were always solid.

It was simply a bad day for Athletic who looked out of sorts and short of players.

Musselburgh go to Camelon Juniors next week while United entertain big rivals Linlithgow Rose in the match of the day.

Full Time Musselburgh Athletic 0; Bo'ness United 4

Teams

Musselburgh Athletic
Ross Combe , Alex Christie, Gary Hamilton, Scott Connaghan, Sean Jamieson, Steven Thomson, John Hall, Kevin Bracks, Scott Swanney, Jack Bruce and Sean Palizcka  Subs Scott Gibson Jordan Burrows.


Bo'ness United
Scott Christie, Connor McGregor, Robert Sloan, Ross Campbell, Stuart Hunter, Ian Nimmo, Nicky Walker, Ross Philp, Darren Cummings, Michael Gemmell and Darren Gribben Subs Mark Cowan, Darren Downie, Donald Morrison, Pedro Moutinho and Martin Wright


Referee Craig Ferguson No neutral Assistant Referees.

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter