Ground: Newtown Park

In a match that saw a relatively uneventful first half, the Second Round of the Alex Jack Cup came alive with four second-half goals, propelling Bo’ness into the Third Round of the cup.

The initial 45 minutes were marked by Bo’ness’s frustration in front of the net, despite several attempts; however, goalkeeper Currid had a quiet half, making no saves. The game welcomed back Ogilvie, returning from an injury that had sidelined him for a few weeks, and Snedden, who started the match from the bench.

Crossgates was the first of the two teams to create a noteworthy chance when their number 14 sent the ball over the bar after a well-executed lay-off in the box. Shortly thereafter, Robertson had a free-kick opportunity from 22 yards on the right-hand side of the D, but the keeper made an easy save at his near post.

Mackay, combining with Robertson just outside the 18-yard box, found space but couldn’t bend his shot into the far post, as it remained low, and the keeper collected comfortably at his feet. Robertson later found space down the left corner of the 18-yard box, outwitted the defender, and fired a powerful shot on goal. The keeper made an impressive diving save, pushing the ball behind for a corner.

On the 29th minute, Crossgates had another chance when a cross into the box found their number 7, who rose well but headed just wide of the goal. Robertson continued to make his presence felt, storming down the right, playing a one-two with R. Weir, and sending his shot past the keeper’s far post. A touch of bend on the ball might have resulted in a stunning finish for Bo’ness’s top scorer this season.

Crossgates had their number 14 attempt a side-footed shot from just outside the D, but it sailed over the bar following some well-orchestrated play. Mitchell, positioned high up the pitch, struck a shot from the right corner of the 18-yard box, sending it across the goal. MacDonald slid in but couldn’t connect, as the ball narrowly missed the outside of the post. A promising run into the box, initiated by a lay-off from Ogilvie, saw Captain MacKay opt for a touch rather than a first-time shot. His placed shot rolled wide of the post.

The first half concluded without any goals, but the signs were encouraging for Bo’ness.

At halftime, Bo’ness made two substitutions, replacing MacDonald and R. Weir with Main and Snedden, and these changes had an immediate impact.

In the second half, Bo’ness had the first opportunity as Main made a run into the box right from kickoff but rolled his shot just wide of the keeper’s far post. From a corner, Sharples rose well to head the ball out to Paterson, who was unmarked, but he couldn’t direct his header on target, and it sailed over the bar.

Finally, in the 53rd minute, the first goal of the match arrived, courtesy of new arrival Simpson, scoring his second goal in his second game for the club. Ogilvie delivered a cross across the goal, and Simpson rose at the back post, heading the ball downwards to beat the keeper.

Shortly after, Mackay saw his second effort of the game sail over the bar from an 18-yard shot. In the 47th minute, M. Weir was fouled on the edge of the box, resulting in an injury to the challenging Crossgates player and a three-minute stoppage.

From the ensuing free-kick, Ogilvie beautifully struck a low shot across goal, eluding everyone and nestling into the corner of the net at the keeper’s far post. M. Weir made way for McInnes right after the goal, and two minutes later, the in-form striker scored his third goal in three games with a low shot inside the box that beat the keeper.

A stellar performance from Ogilvie led to his substitution for Turnbull. Five minutes later, Robertson forced an outstanding save from the Crossgates keeper with a drilled shot, but a strong wrist sent the ball wide of the goal. From the resulting corner, Paterson attempted an acrobatic header, which missed the target.

The goal of the game showcased why Robertson was the top scorer of the season. He unleashed a beautifully left-footed volleyed effort from a ball played over the top, after which he was subbed to make way for McAteer.

Currid, who had a relatively quiet game, had to be alert in the 89th minute with a brilliant save to palm a certain goal wide. From the ensuing corner, Crossgates had a volleyed effort from 22 yards that travelled straight to Currid, who held it firmly.

The final opportunity of the match fell to McAteer in injury time. He rolled a pass from Snedden into the goal past the diving keeper; however, the referee incorrectly judged McAteer to be offside, despite being clearly played onside by the Crossgates number 5.

In the end, the disallowed goal did not impact the outcome, as Bo’ness comfortably secured their place in the draw for the Third Round.

Final Score: Bo’ness Athletic 4 – 0 Crossgates Primrose
The Alex Jack Cup, Second Round

Bo’ness stormed into the next round of The East of Scotland Qualifying Cup with 3 second half goals to overturn Heriot-Watt University’s first half opener.
The game saw the return of Paterson who had been out with a long term injury. His return was welcome due to injuries to 1st team regulars Woodburn and Shanks.
Woodburn was injured midweek in training and Shanks picked up a knock last week against Edinburgh College. New signing Calum Ferguson was thrust into the first team defensive line up.

For Bo’ness, few chances were carved out in the first half and a deep cross from outside the box on the left, over to the keeper’s far post saw a lunging Main guide ball into the goal with the diving keeper unable to keep the ball out. Straight away the referee blew for an offside who adjudged Main to be marginally offside. The replay showed the decision to be correct.
Heriot-Watt took the lead on 40 mins with a fine finish from their no.9 who, up until that point, proved a real handful for Bo’ness.

A half-time substitution saw McInnes replace Ferguson in a bid to add more fire power up front.
It only took 3 minutes into the 2nd half for Bo’ness to level the score. A free kick on the right from the corner of the 18 year box fizzed low across goal, appeared to bypass everyone except Sharples at the back post to tap in.
At the 66th minute mark, Turnbull replaced MacDonald for the final Bo’ness substitution.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes a draw looked ominous but on 82 minutes a long ball down the left found Robertson, and with the keeper out to chase it down deflected the ball back out to M. Weir who deftly struck a sweet left foot shot over the keeper and two defenders and into the goal.

The game was put to bed after the 90 minutes were up, when hard working Robertson down the left hand side again ran into the box and was scythed down by the oncoming Heriot-Watt defender. The referee had no option but to point to the spot. McInnes held his nerve and sent the keeper the wrong way rolling the ball into the net to give Bo’ness a 3-1 win and into the draw for the next round.

Final Score: Bo’ness Athletic 3 – 1 Heriot-Watt University
The East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, Second Round

A brace from Robertson, Main’s first goal for Bo’ness and a stunning strike from MacDonald saw Bo’ness win 4-1 to comfortably progress into the second round of the Alex Jack Cup.

It took until the 28th minute for Robertson, on the left hand side, to slot the ball across goal and into the net, close to the keepers far post. The Edinburgh defender tried in vain to keep the ball out but only succeeded in sending the ball further into the goal.

A switch to the opposite side of the pitch paid dividends as Robertson collected the ball from a pass down the right hand side on 31 minutes. He calmly struck a low shot in under the keeper, diving towards his left hand post.

3 minutes later McInnes found space in the box and in a one on one, saw his effort smothered by the Edinburgh keeper in 34 minutes.
Then Main charged down the right hand side and with a wicked shot, saw his effort palmed over the crossbar.

Into the second half and the 63rd minute saw Turnbull replace McInnes for the first Bo’ness substitution of the match.

It didn’t look good for Shanks in the 72nd minute when his studs seemed to catch in the turf and he appeared to twist his knee. However, after leaving the pitch for a few minutes, he was able to shrug it off and see out the match.

Goal of the game went to Calum McDonald in 76 minutes as he strode down the left to fire a floating shot straight into the top left corner of the goal leaving the keeper no chance.

An 84th minute deft pass across goal found Main in space on the left of goal and he had plenty time to accurately drill the ball into the net.

A further substitution on 85 minutes saw MacDonald off and Kyle Stark enter play.

Robertson was denied his hattrick on 89 mins as his shot was deflected just past the post.

Edinburgh grabbed a late consolation goal in the final minute of the game when a defensive mix-up between the Bo’ness keeper and his defender saw the ball glide past him and into the Bo’ness goal.

Final Score: Bo’ness Athletic 4 – 1 Edinburgh South
The Alex Jack Cup, First Round