4th June 2023 Bo’ness Athletic 4 Dunipace 0

 

Well this is it my last match of season 2022/2023. The East of Scotland League Cup final between Bo’ness Athletic and Dunipace being played at Meggetland. After an early lunch I left home around 13.15 for the short walk along the canal to Meggetland. I arrived around 13.40 and paid my £5 entry fee and also bought a programme, produced by Jamie McQueen, for £2. I walked round to the open terracing where ai met Jim and be were also joined by Alex, Jamie and Jah. The weather was really warm as we took a seat on the concrete steps opposite the shaded main stand. A number of fans had gone to the Canalside bistro and were standing on the outside terrace knocking back pints of lager without actually entering the ground. 

The match promised to be an interesting contest. Bo’ness has won at a canter in the C Duvision  with thirty-six wins, two draws and won defeat. The main strength in the side is the attacking player with Tueu Daramila having scored eighty-one goals, Dylan Paterson forty-six and Grant Rose forty six. Dunipace finished eighth in the First Division but if the cup they have knocked out premier Division sides Penicuik and Linlithgow. They have an experienced side at EoS level with East Stirling loanee Kia Wilson being top scorer. Surprisingly both teams were numbered 1-11 with no swaddle numbers here.

The match started in blazing sunshine and I would not have liked to played in these weather conditions. I knew very little about either side but found a matcH report in the Falkirk Herald which helped me bring this report together.  Daramola, who will join League One Kelty Hearts in the summer, looked lively early on and he nearly created the opening goal just two minutes into the tie. He broke free and found teammate Dylan Paterson on the edge of the box, but the midfielder couldn’t find the target with his effort at goal. Soon after, the striker then tested David Kane with a fierce drive that was pushed wide expertly by the Pace stopper. After about twenty minutes I gave up sittting on the terracing in the blazing sunshine and moved to the back of the terracing where there was shade and a cool breeze under the overhanging bushes and trees. Daramola also hit the post as Athletic looked for an opener. They certainly looked the most likely, however, it was Danny Smith’s side that had the best chance to earn a half-time lead when they were awarded a penalty just before the break. Deputy goalkeeper Liam Campbell was the hero for Athletic diverting Aaron Whitelaw’s effort past the post. And moments after that, Dunipace missed a key chance when Kai Wilson shot at goal on the breakaway when a pass was the best option.Then, in stoppage-time, Athletic found an opener out of the blue when Chris Ogilvie blasted home in a crowded penalty area.

In the second half, an early quick-fire double from Irvine’s side put the game behind the First Division Denny outfit. On 48 minutes, Daramola showed his striking instinct in the six-yard box to fire home after Kane parried a pot-shot at goal. And then, three minutes later, Paterson calmly broke free in the box and slotted home. Dunipace then lost goalkeeper David Kane who had been injured in the first half and he was replaced by Zander Gilchrist. Bo’ness continued to press forward and Gilchrist did well to prevent further goals before Daramola then rounded off the scoring on 73 minutes to seal a historic double for Bo’ness Athletic. Bo’ness brought on four substitutes as the game moved into injury time. As the game was almost over it was probably just to give the subs the chance to play in a cup final. 

I dId not stay for the cup presentation and walked home along the canal. Thankfully I was walking in the shady side of the canal. I was impressed with. Bo’ness who looked an excellent side and even without Daramola I can see then winning the B division next season. 

Teams

Bo’ness Athletic: Campbell, Mitchell, Shanks, Taylor, Woodbury, Mackay, D. Pateron, Wood, Rose, Ogilvie, Daramola.

Subs: Robertson, MacDonald, Turnbull, MacKeown

Dunipace United: Kane, McCroary, Whitelaw, Galloway, Grant, Morrison, Colley, Fleming, Wright, Kemp, Wilson

Subs: Gilchrist, McNeill, Wallace.