Jambo'ness

In fact, make it five that season. The Supplementary Cup was played in a group and we won our home game 7-3!

Their decision to join the West Juniors has had a lot to do with it too.

The only competitive meetings between the sides were in the BU's inaugural season, 1945/46, when they met each other 4 times. Both clubs were in the Edinburgh & District League, funnily enough. The League results both went the way of the BU's , 5-1 at home & 3-1 away. They also met, away, in the first round of the Brown Cup & the 'pace ran out 4-3 winners. They went on to reach the Final that year before losing 6-0 to Fauldhouse. Bo'ness won away in the Supplementary Cup (Leith Burgh Cup) by 3-2, in a cup the BU's went on to win beating Tranent 2-1 in the Final.

Totally agree. The one positive is that we took three league points and progressed in two cup competitions.

That's it in a nutshell. We have the players to do the leading up work but the only players putting the ball in the net are our centre-backs. We have to look for a natural goal-scorer. For instance, the lad that scored for them yesterday, when down to 8 men. He never stopped and got his reward being in the right place at the right time. There are others out there but we have to do some business soon, not just sit on our hands. Back to yesterday. There were some ugly challenges, with Gemmell bearing the brunt of them. The first sending off was being contested by their bench, then Michael lifted his shirt to show the stud marks on his chest! Let us just hope the other cups don't pair us together at any stage.

No wedding dos planned for today I hope and we'll have nearly a full squad to pick from. Complacency is a danger, remember we've only won by a goal each time and you can certainly say the first was a draw in 90 mins. Our backs to use their heads to great use from good deliveries from Morgan (or whoever).

I understand it was a thigh muscle injury, he felt it go on the penalty run-up. Up to 8 weeks was the estimate I heard.

Wishful thinking I assure you.

The injury to Keast may give both a chance to play. Donnelly may have to play further forward unless we get a new face in up front.

Yes no Dev. Don't think his form this season has matched that of last season. Donnelly for me is in the team for his physical presence especially when there's head tennis in midfield. Have to agree with you Dave. Dev is a trier but this season it's not come off for him yet. Big Doogs is a unit and is perfect to have in the team when playing sides who rely more on muscle than technique.

Love him or hate him, Michael Gemmell is a model professional. His will to win is evident in every game. A Bo'ness team with Michael in it is always a better one.

I thought he was waiting on a knee op?

I think every other team is in the same boat just now. One thing I don't like is the rotation in goals every game. That can't be good for the defence. They need to have a regular number one to work in front of.

Three points indeed and hard-won. Primrose are not a pretty side to watch but do the simple things well. Their number 4 is a no-frills defender who kicks the ball the way he is facing and usually out of the park. Considering our dearth of attacking options we did well to get the points but a real striker up front could have reaped a few goals today. Good to see Syme back after a bout of chickenpox and Josh Watt also looked lively when he entered the fray.

I think it just underlines how short of bodies we are up front. Injuries & unavailability are always going to mean you need good back-up. The idea of playing Campbell or Hunter up front just doesn't work. We've tried it late on in matches we've been behind to no result. Their scoring worth comes from dead-ball situations only. We really need to get another body in soon. A great pity it isn't likely to be Kelly.

Going to be another toughie this week. They were missing top striker Scott Hynd who was in Malaga last week. Been trying to trip the wee ginger up at work all week with no success I hope Morgan & Wright have shaken off last weeks knocks but not too hopeful. Being a league match, this is far more important than last week, so full effort required again and maybe a bit of luck in front of goal for big Hunts.

Sure I saw Chris filming it under an umbrella in first half. That goal deserves to be on record.

I wonder if their number 7 will get his number ironed on to his shirt for next week? Really shouldnae get his maw to boil-wash it.

After conceding 7 midweek, they were never going to be as soft a touch this time. The injuries to Morgan & Wright are a real concern. The lack of dead-ball delivery was evident after Morgan went off. For all his other attributes, Dev is not a dead-ball expert. The most depressing part of yesterday was when it was announced extra-time was to be played. A palpable sigh could be heard as shoulders slumped around the ground. At least Keasty made it worthwhile! Two of the subs, Prentice & Rintoul, added a fair bit of spark when they entered the fray but for me MacKenzie was MOTM, showing guts after a nasty head wound, he tormented them constantly and was extremely unlucky with a screamer heading for the top corner until the 'keeper tipped it over. Just a quick word about the enclosure side official. Oh dear! Inept doesn't begin to cover it. Summed up by the farcical situation of her raising her flag for a throw, realising it was the wrong way and changing it, then appearing to gesture for the ref to come to her, then changing her mind amid flags pointing here there and everywhere.

We only moan because we care. Players come and go, we do not. I would like to think criticism is honest, even constructive but certainly not moaning after last nights performance. Now all focus to be directed on our triple-header with Crossgates.

What a start! I don't think anyone could have seen that coming. I do believe the first goal is crucial against them. They didn't like it when we matched them physically & TBH Donnelly could have walked for one challenge. They were a bunch of actors though and maybe should be booked into the Fringe. Their number 10 should have had a red for a swing at Morgan after the Dougie incident and the number 8 somehow avoided a card for sarcastically applauding the ref to his face when a foul went against him. That's all taking away from the BU's though, who ran the show. Morgan is all over the park and his crossing is top-class. The front three ran and chased all night and as for Ross Campbell....Two hat-tricks in a row for a centre-back. Wow! To put in context, Ross scored 6 all last season and is now on 7 already. Last season, our top scorer was Marty on 11.

Kelly has a few offers on the table from higher up the ladder, although nothing confirmed yet.

Didn't see that coming. Don't underestimate them though, I think we have three very tough games coming up against them. Focus on tonight though. What an exciting start to the league season!

Aye, only if the better half approves!

Moving on to Wednesday and what is already a huge game for the BU's. Up against the only team to challenge Kelty last season and indeed beat them three times! This year, things may be different. They have lost some important players due to cost-cutting and may also miss two players from yesterday's team due to red cards. We have to get off to a winning start and build momentum. The easy league many foresaw just isn't going to happen. Look at Crossgates for example! I'm sure big Hunts was getting saved for midweek and the goal-machine that is Allan Mackenzie, 2 in 3 now, will likely start. C'mon the BU's!