15th May 2020. East Kilbride 4 Bo’ness United 2

 

Another game at Ainslie Park today, my third-eighth of the season, with East Kilbride(EK) meeting Bo'ness United in the final of the Lowland League Cup. After lunch I left home at 13.30 to walk to the ground. After a pleasant stroll down the old railway path I arrived there around 14.35. No electronic tickets today but both cash and cards accepted at the turnstiles. The match programme was also available to purchase at the turnstiles. the ground was filling up nicely and I met Jim at the fence at the cafe end of the ground nd we stood there chatting until kick-off. As the teams came out to start the game we moved down to our normal viewing area on the embankment at the Pilton end of the ground. 

I had seen both sides win against Spartans this thought and thought a close game was in prospect. EK were founder members of the Lowland league in 2013 title twice since them. and have won the the Lowland League Cup twice as well. his season they finished fourth in the final league table. They are a strong side with a number of ex-SPFL players including Chris Millar (St Johnstone), Joao Victoria (Stranraer) and Jamie Stevenson (Alloa). Bo'ness United are a top Junior side until moving into the senior ranks in 2018 in the East of Scotland League. They were promoted to the Lowland League at the end of the 2019/2020 season. They finished this season in eleventh position despite injuries to a number of key players including Danny Galbraith a former Hearts youth player who also played for Manchester United and Hibs. These injuries meant Bo'ness were only able to name two substitutes for todays match.

Lennon Walker hared a through ball from Kieran Mitchell in the first couple of minutes but just followed to control it as the ball ran through to keeper Connor Brennan. There was a nasty clash of heads around the twelve minute mark with both Bernard Coll of EK and Greg Skinner of Bo’ness. Coll clearly came of worse in the challenge as he returned to the park wearing a head bandage. About five minutes alter Mitchell forced a diving save from Brennan with a hot from the edge of the box. Just after the half EK had an excellent chance when a ross from Victoria was met by Neil McLaughlin from around ten yards. The header flew over the bar although McLaughlin was convinced it took deflection of a defender on the way. I would have to agree with the forwards comments. EK took the lead in thirty-eight minutes when a through ball from Sammy Elliott found Victoria in the penalty box on the left. The forward coolly shot low past the advancing keeper Andy Murphy into the far corner of the net. EK could have had a second goal just before the halftime whistle when Murphy tipped a twenty-five yard shot from Elliott onto his cross-bar and then divd forward to gather the rebound at he second attempt.

The second half started as the first with play en to end and both sides looking to crate chances but not really troubling the goal-keepers. However in fifty-five minutes. Luke Kenny mishit a clearance and conceded a corner to Bo’ness. Keir Mcauley’s kick was missed by keeper Brennan and found Gregor Nicol at the far post. His downward header bounced over Kenny and back into the empty net. EK went ahead again after sixty-six minutes. a run by Coll down the left found Victoria in the penalty box . He touched it on to Elliot who pass it back to Liam Watt who shot into the top corner of the ent from twenty yards. EK added a third goal in seventy-two minutes when a free-kick from McLaughlin on the left founded Elliot making a run to the near post. The forwards driving header gave Murphy in the Bo’ness no chance of making a save. Bo’ness brought on Stuart Hunter for his final appearance after five years with the club.  However EK scored again after  seventy-nine minutes. A long through ball found Murphy well of his line and flew over his head. I herd later that he was just outside the area and could not catch the ball for fear of a red card which I could not see from the other end of the park. Elliott's initial goal attempt was cleared off the line by Skinner but ended at the feet of McLaughlin twenty yards from gaol. He chipped the ball back into the empty net for a 4-1 to EK. Bo’ness pulled a goal back with three minutes to go when Nicol’s low cross from the left was blocked by Brennan but ended at the feet of Walker who scored from the edge of the six yard box. The final whistle blew shortly afterwards with EK deserved winners over a depleted Bo’ness side. 

After the game I walked up to Ferry Road and found a 27 was due in seven minutes. I caught that bus and was home around 17.30 after watching an excellent game. 

Teams 

East Kilbride: Brennan, Stevenson, Coll, Owens, Kenny, Millar, Stewart, N. McLaughlin. Elliott, Watt, Victoria.

Subs: McManus, R. McLaughlin, Fellowes

Bo’ness United: Murphy.  Jacobs, Skinner, Locke, MacAuley. Stevenson, Gemmell, Nichol, Johnston, Walker, Mitchell.

Subs : Hunter, Hawkins