February 2024 – Bo'ness Athletic Football Club


04/05/2024 14:30 N/A Bo’ness Athletic v Burntisland Shipyard (League)


18/05/2024 14:30 N/A Bo’ness Athletic v Dalkeith Thistle (League)

Player	Appearances	Goals	Yellow Cards
Ryan Robertson	41	32	2
Fraser Currid	39	0	2
Jonny Mitchell	39	2	7
Callum MacDonald	39	31	4

Bo’ness celebrated their inaugural silverware of the season with a hard-fought triumph over Heriot Watt University in the Alex Jack Cup Final. A late tap-in from recent acquisition Sandy Cunningham proved decisive, sealing victory for Bo’ness and prompting club captain Jason MacKay to hoist the coveted trophy aloft in jubilation as champagne filled the air.

Blessed with a clean bill of health, Bo’ness fielded a formidable starting eleven, spearheaded by Currid between the posts and fortified by the defensive quartet of Shanks, Mitchell, Paterson, and Cameron. In midfield, MacKay, Ogilvie, Snedden, and Weir orchestrated proceedings, while MacDonald and Robertson spearheaded the attacking front.

From the opening whistle, Bo’ness endured a fierce challenge against a resilient Heriot Watt side. Playing against a headwind in the first half, Bo’ness initially struggled to find their rhythm. In the third minute, Heriot Watt had a penalty appeal waved away by the referee following a tangle of legs in and around the corner of the 18-yard box. Undeterred, Heriot Watt pressed forward, with a speculative effort from outside the box failing to trouble the unflappable Currid.

The early exchanges remained evenly balanced, with Bo’ness gradually asserting their authority on proceedings. A promising link-up play between Robertson and Weir almost yielded dividends, only for the Heriot Watt keeper to collect Robertson’s delivery across the face of goal comfortably. Moments later, Weir capitalized on a defensive error, but his final touch eluded him, allowing the Heriot Watt stopper to intervene decisively.

However, Bo’ness broke the deadlock in the 38th minute through a well-worked move. A defensive clearance fell kindly to Ogilvie on the edge of the box, who displayed exquisite control before feeding a pass to Shanks. The ensuing cross found MacDonald, whose looping header towards the far post was met with a deft nod from Weir, sending the ball cascading into the net. It was a crucial breakthrough for Bo’ness, with Weir reaffirming his status as one of the team’s prolific scorers this season.

Heriot Watt responded valiantly, almost finding an equalizer from a menacing corner kick. However, Currid’s heroics ensured Bo’ness maintained their slender lead heading into the interval.

As the second half unfolded, Heriot Watt grew in confidence, earning themselves a lifeline in the 61st minute from the penalty spot. A contentious challenge in the box resulted in a spot-kick for Heriot Watt, duly dispatched to level the scores and set the stage for a tense finale.

With momentum swinging in their favour, Heriot Watt threatened to snatch victory, forcing Currid into action with a series of menacing attempts. Sensing the need for a change, Irvine opted for a tactical reshuffle, introducing Godwin and Cunningham in place of MacDonald and Robertson.

Amidst the pulsating end-to-end action, both sides traded blows in a bid to seize the initiative. Cunningham came close with a low-driven effort, while Heriot Watt spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to take the lead with a curling shot narrowly missing the target.

However, in the dying moments of the game, Bo’ness conjured a decisive breakthrough. A well-delivered free-kick from Ogilvie found Weir at the far post, whose deft header across goal was met by the predatory instincts of Cunningham, ensuring victory for Bo’ness and igniting scenes of jubilation amongst the players and supporters alike.

The cup triumph not only marks a significant milestone for Bo’ness but also presents an opportunity to compete in next season’s SFA Scottish Cup. Bo’ness will vie for a coveted spot in the first round draw through a round-robin tournament, where they will lock horns with West of Scotland’s Drumchapel United and a team from the South of Scotland Football League. As they bask in the glory of their latest triumph, Bo’ness will undoubtedly relish the prospect of further silverware in the forthcoming campaign.

Final Score: Heriot Watt University 1 – 2 Bo’ness Athletic
The Alex Jack Cup Final

Match Highlights

Bo’ness Athletic emerged victorious from a hard-fought battle against Peebles Rovers, securing a vital three points in a thrilling encounter at Peebles Rovers’ ground. Despite conceding an early goal, Bo’ness showcased their resilience and attacking prowess, netting three goals in quick succession to seize control of the match. However, a spirited fightback from the home side set up a tense finale, with Bo’ness ultimately holding firm to clinch a crucial victory as the top three sides in the league all secured wins.

From the outset, both teams grappled with challenging conditions as the wind swept across the pitch and rain came down for periods of the first half. The opening exchanges were fiercely contested, with chances few and far between in the windy conditions. In the 10th minute, Robertson came close to breaking the deadlock with a snap shot from outside the box, but the Peebles goalkeeper was equal to the task, denying him at his near post.

Bo’ness continued to press forward, with Robertson turning provider to deliver a low cross into the box for MacDonald, only for the latter to sky his shot over the bar. Moments later, Mitchell unleashed a low-driven effort narrowly wide of the left-hand post, before MacDonald rattled the woodwork with a powerful header that left the Peebles defence scrambling to clear their lines.

However, it was Peebles who struck first blood in the 33rd minute, capitalising on a positive run down the left flank to take the lead. Despite a magnificent reaction save from Currid, the home side pounced on the rebound to bundle the ball over the line, sending the home crowd into raptures.

As the first half drew to a close, Bo’ness launched a spirited fightback, with MacDonald conjuring a moment of brilliance to restore parity in the dying minutes of the half. A delightful one-two between MacDonald and Weir set the former through on goal, and he unleashed a magnificent curling effort into the corner of the net to level the scores.

Yet, if fans thought MacDonald’s strike was a thing of beauty, they were treated to an even greater spectacle just minutes later. Robertson, displaying sublime skill and technique, cut inside from the left flank before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 25 yards out, nestling into the top corner to give Bo’ness the lead in emphatic fashion.

The second half saw Peebles come out with renewed vigour, as they sought to claw their way back into the contest. Despite a series of close calls and near misses, it was Bo’ness who extended their lead in the 69th minute, courtesy of a debut goal from Cunningham. The new signing crashed a shot off the bar before showcasing his predatory instincts to convert a rebound with a stunning bicycle kick, much to the delight of the travelling fans.

Although Cunningham came close to adding to his tally with two more efforts, Peebles refused to back down and found a lifeline in the 76th minute, with a spectacular strike reminiscent of MacDonald’s earlier effort. However, Bo’ness held on resolutely in the closing stages to secure a hard-fought victory.

While Peebles Rovers may currently languish in 12th place in the league, their spirited performance belied their position in the table, giving Bo’ness a stern test throughout the match. Despite the 33-point gap between the two sides, Peebles’ resilience ensured a tense and closely contested affair, leaving Bo’ness grateful for the crucial three points as they prepare for a brief hiatus from league action as cup duty beckons.

Final Score: Peebles Rovers 2 – 3 Bo’ness Athletic
The East of Scotland Second Division League Match No. 18

Match Highlights