Bo’ness Athletic charged into the second preliminary round of the Scottish Cup on Friday night, overcoming bookies’ favourites Beith Juniors in a stormy encounter that ended 3-1. This historic victory marks Bo’ness’s first appearance in the competition, a debut to remember against a formidable opponent.
The game commenced under advantageous conditions for Bo’ness, with the wind at their backs. They got off to an ideal start when Cunningham, collecting a throw-in at the corner of the 18-yard box, embarked on a solo run. He twisted and turned, the ball seemingly glued to his feet, as he out-manoeuvred four Beith players to reach the byline. His low cross found MacDonald, who raced in to force the ball into the net, silencing the many travelling Beith fans.
Just three minutes later, Bo’ness nearly doubled their lead. Heaver, positioned on the left, delivered a perfect cross onto the head of Ogilvie, whose powerful header forced the Beith goalkeeper into an incredible point-blank save.
The relentless pressure paid off in the 20th minute when Bo’ness did indeed double their advantage from a corner kick. Ogilvie sent in a right-footed cross from the left, met by the head of Weir at the near post. The ball flew into the net, leaving the Beith keeper with no time to react.
Beith struggled to carve out many opportunities for the remainder of the first half, and Bo’ness finished the period on top, as the scoreline suggested. The Bo’ness defence remained resolute, thwarting any attempts by Beith to get back into the game.
As the second half began, Beith came out of the traps as expected, on the offensive. They had a number of efforts, including a long-range driven shot in the 59th minute that whistled just past the far post. Two minutes later, Bo’ness made their first and only substitution of the match, with Husband replacing Snedden, who had picked up a knock.
Beith then managed to pull a goal back from a long-range free-kick around 30 yards out. The ball struck the crossbar, bounced down, and crossed the line. It was a spectacular strike that reignited hope among the visitors. However, their momentum was halted when a Beith substitute went in late on Paterson, sending him spinning to the ground. The referee had no choice but to brandish a straight red card for the reckless challenge.
Despite being a man down, Beith continued to press for an equaliser and came close with one effort flying over the bar from close range. Their hopes were further dashed when their number four received a second yellow card for a blatant handball in his own half. He appeared to reach up and touch the ball, prompting the referee to stop play and issue the impending red card.
With just minutes left on the clock, Beith’s situation became increasingly desperate. In the 86th minute, from a clearance from their own half, the ball took an unexpected bounce, deceiving Currid, and struck the crossbar before going out of play. This missed opportunity seemed to sap the remaining energy from Beith.
As the match drew to a close, Bo’ness found themselves back on the offensive. A clever one-two between Husband and MacDonald allowed Husband to advance to the penalty spot. Just as he was about to shoot, he was taken out by a Beith defender. The referee immediately blew for a penalty, which Cunningham confidently dispatched, putting the game out of reach for Beith.
This result is nothing short of historic for Bo’ness Athletic, especially in their inaugural Scottish Cup appearance. They faced a Beith side that has dominated the West of Scotland Premiership, winning the title two years in a row. The victory not only demonstrates the potential of Bo’ness but also sets up an exciting home tie against Kilwinning Rangers in the next round of the cup.
This victory will serve as a massive confidence boost. Their fans will relish this historic moment and look forward to the next round with optimism. The tie against Kilwinning Rangers will be another stern test, but if Bo’ness can replicate their performance from this match, they will fancy their chances of advancing further in the competition.
In conclusion, Bo’ness Athletic’s 3-1 triumph over Beith Juniors was a match filled with drama, skill, and pivotal moments. It was a classic cup tie that showcased the unpredictable and thrilling nature of knockout football. Bo’ness’s disciplined performance, combined with moments of individual brilliance, deservedly earned them a place in the next round. The Scottish Cup journey continues for Bo’ness, and on this evidence, they are a team to watch out for.
Final Score: Bo’ness Athletic 3 – 1 Beith Juniors
Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup Preliminary Round One Draw
Match Highlights
