Report from Bryan Copeland for Gala Fairydean Roverts v Bo’ness United on Tuesday 4th May

Bryan Copeland

Match Report

Lowland League
Gala Fairydean Rovers v Bo’ness United

Wednesday 04/05/2022. KO : 19:45

Netherdale, Galashiels.

Bo’ness Team :

Murphy(Gk). MacAuley, Meikle, Hawkins, Jacobs. Stevenson, Gemmel (C), Johnston, McCormack, Nichol, Walker.
Subs : Skinner.

The final league game of the season for Bo’ness and with nothing at stake surely the priory must be No injuries or suspensions with the local derby cup semi final coming up in 3 days time.
Tonight is the 2nd trip to Gala for the BU the initial fixture down here abandoned after 16 minutes due to heavy snowfall minutes before the game started. I’m sure Bo’ness along with other teams will be glad to get the league season over and be ready to go again next season and hope to finish further up the table although in the case of Bo’ness injuries and illness haven’t helped at all this season.
Overall the league campaign has been up and down to say the least but there is the highlight of the cup semi final to look forward with a change to make a final and dare I say it still salivate some silverware for the season.
For tonight if past games are anything to go by it will be 11 players and no subs available to BU gaffer Max Christie but he must be getting well used to that situation by now.
There will be a travelling support as there always is and I’m sure those they make the trip would like to see a win to keep up momentum and confidence.
Into the match then and BU assistant Stuart Hunter was taking charge of the visitors in the absence of Gaffer Max Christie with coach Blair Munn also missing the big man was by himself on the touch line. It was a fairly low key start with both sides enjoying a bit of the ball but no clear cut chances coming anyones way in the opening 10 minutes. Hawkins played a good ball forward that was well intercepted on its way towards the box then at the other end a free kick on the right side of the box gave Gala a chance to curl a ball to the back post, too much on it however and the ball went for a goal kick. 21 minutes and the opening goal, a good ball down the left was latched onto and rolled into the box then an initial shot was blocked but the ball fell nicely for Stevenson who calmly rolled it low into the bottom corner. Gala 0 – 1 BU. Just 2 minutes later and long ball from the right hand side almost found Walker in space inside the box near the back post but the ball came off him and went for a Gala goal kick. Stevenson sent a good low ball into the box from the left towards McCormack bit his shot was blocked as the visitors looked to be coming more and more into the game and looking the better of the 2 sides just now. Nichol done really well in the middle of the park to beat his man then hold the ball up before being fouled as he tried to play it out towards the left hand side. A long ball forward from the home side was judged off side as the tried to get themselves further up the park then quickly at the other end Stevenson had a half chance with a shot on the angle easily stopped by the Gala keeper. 37 minutes and another goal a ball over the top had the Bo’ness players closing offside, there was no flag however as the home side latched onto thr ball and carried it forward 1 on 1 with Murphy, a short pause and plenty calm as the ball was rolled low into the bottom corner. Gala 1 – 1 BU. 41 minutes and a free kick on the edge of the box saw Stevenson standing over the ball for the BU his shot however was straight into the Gala wall and cleared. At the other end it was the goal scorer looking to cause problems again playing right on the last man trying to break forward quickly he was looking a decent player for the home side this time laying the ball wide where an angled shot was blocked before Meikle was fouled trying to head clear giving the visitors a free kick.
Half time Gala Fairydean Rovers 1 – 1 Bo’ness United.
Into the 2nd half and Gala were almost in on goal but the ball drifted wide making a hard angle for the shot which Murphy gathered easily. At the other end Nichol latched onto a5 through ball and it sat up nicely for a half volley just in side the box the shot however went wide of the post. 55 minutes and this visited restores their lead, McCormack done really well cutting in from the right hand side before sending the ball towards goal, a bit of a howler from the home keeper who really should have done better as the ball made its way into the net. Gala 1 – 2 BU. The game settled down for the next 15 minutes with neither keeper having anything to do and both sides enjoying a bit of possession. Meikle done well to usher a long ball out for a goal kick on the 68 minute mark. McCormack made a good driving run through midfield before his pass out toward the left was intercepted and the ball made its way quickly to the other end where a dangerous looking cross was calmly and easily dealt with by MacAuley who sent the ball high up the pitch to safety. 75 minutes and another goal as the visitors extended their lead, a neat cut inside from the right and the ball squared to Nichol who hit a shot which admittedly wasn’t all that powerful and I don’t think he was expecting a goal from it but the home keeper was unfortunately having a night to forget as what should have been a simple catch saw him spill the ball into the net. Gala 1 – 3 BU. A high cross from the left was very well claimed by Murphy with a good shout as he came out to the 6 yard line and collected with ease, the game now inside the final 10 minutes. MacAuley had a go with a low drive from distance that went past the right hand post as the visitors now looked comfortable enough seeing the game out. A looping cross from the right was met at the back post and from just a few yards out or less the home side really should have got a goal back with 4 minutes to go instead the header was put past the post. McCormack went on another good run through the midfield this time getting just inside the box and with pressure on him laid the ball off well to Nichol who then flashed a fantastic ball right across goal any touch at all and it was a 4th but somehow it missed everyone and went out on the far side. No added time and none required as the referee brought the match to a close.
Full time at Netherdale Gala Fairydean Rovers 1 – 3 Bo’ness United.