In the penultimate fixture of the season, Bo’ness Athletic secured a critical three points with a resounding 4-0 away victory over Ormiston, ensuring their hosts’ relegation to Division 3. Bo’ness, a point clear at the top of the table going into this crucial match, were determined to put the previous week’s defeat to Thornton Hibs behind them and they did so in emphatic fashion, courtesy of a brace from Cunningham and goals from MacDonald and Godwin.
The opening 25 minutes were fraught with tension for Bo’ness, who dominated possession but struggled to convert their early pressure into goals. With less than three minutes on the clock, Heaver delivered a dangerous cross from the left flank, met by Cunningham’s glancing header which crashed off the far post, heightening the anxiety among the travelling supporters.
It took until the 27th minute for Bo’ness to break the deadlock, much to the relief of their fans. A slick move saw Heaver threading a pass to MacDonald, who surged into the box, outpaced his marker to reach the byline, and squared the ball for Cunningham to side-foot home from close range.
Three minutes later, Heaver nearly doubled the lead. Collecting a long ball from Paterson, he cut inside across the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a low drive that the Ormiston keeper did well to parry wide. Moments after, Bo’ness won a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box. Ogilvie played it short to Heaver, whose thunderous strike rattled the crossbar and bounced clear.
Ormiston responded with a free-kick of their own. Their number eight curled a superb effort over the wall, but Wilson, alert in the Bo’ness goal, pulled off a magnificent save, diving to his right to keep the visitors ahead.
Just before the interval, Mitchell battled to win a 50-50 challenge deep in Ormiston territory and delivered a cross-cum-shot that forced the home keeper to tip over the bar, ensuring Bo’ness went into the break with their slender lead intact.
The second half began with a substitution for Bo’ness, as Cameron made way for Godwin, who was deployed on the right wing and quickly made his presence felt. Ten minutes after the restart, Cunningham scored his second of the afternoon, latching onto MacDonald’s pinpoint cross to glance a shot past the despairing dive of the Ormiston keeper.
Cunningham came close to completing his hat-trick a few minutes later, skillfully turning two defenders inside the box before seeing his shot brilliantly saved. In the 70th minute, it was Godwin’s turn to test the Ormiston keeper, driving into the box and unleashing a low shot that was well saved.
A minute later, Bo’ness were awarded a penalty. Heaver controlled a diagonal ball on the edge of the box and played a first-time pass to Cunningham, who was upended by a clumsy challenge, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. MacDonald stepped up and smashed a high penalty into the net, making it 3-0, with the keeper guessing correctly but unable to reach it.
With the result seemingly secure, Bo’ness made a trio of substitutions: Weir replaced Heaver, Connolly came on for Snedden, and Sneddon substituted MacDonald.
The goal of the match came in the 83rd minute from the impressive Godwin. He danced past several Ormiston defenders down the right before losing the ball momentarily, regaining possession, and curling a stunning left-footed shot into the far corner, a strike no goalkeeper could have saved.
As the final whistle approached, further chances fell to Cunningham and Shanks, but the scoreline remained 4-0, a comprehensive victory for Bo’ness.
The win keeps Bo’ness in pole position, with Thornton Hibs breathing down their necks, just a point behind. With only one match remaining, a home game against Dalkeith Thistle next Saturday, Bo’ness are on the brink of a memorable season. One final push is all that stands between them and the title.
Final Score: Ormiston Primrose 0 – 4 Bo’ness Athletic
The East of Scotland Second Division League Match No. 29
