Bo’ness celebrated their inaugural silverware of the season with a hard-fought triumph over Heriot Watt University in the Alex Jack Cup Final. A late tap-in from recent acquisition Sandy Cunningham proved decisive, sealing victory for Bo’ness and prompting club captain Jason MacKay to hoist the coveted trophy aloft in jubilation as champagne filled the air.
Blessed with a clean bill of health, Bo’ness fielded a formidable starting eleven, spearheaded by Currid between the posts and fortified by the defensive quartet of Shanks, Mitchell, Paterson, and Cameron. In midfield, MacKay, Ogilvie, Snedden, and Weir orchestrated proceedings, while MacDonald and Robertson spearheaded the attacking front.
From the opening whistle, Bo’ness endured a fierce challenge against a resilient Heriot Watt side. Playing against a headwind in the first half, Bo’ness initially struggled to find their rhythm. In the third minute, Heriot Watt had a penalty appeal waved away by the referee following a tangle of legs in and around the corner of the 18-yard box. Undeterred, Heriot Watt pressed forward, with a speculative effort from outside the box failing to trouble the unflappable Currid.
The early exchanges remained evenly balanced, with Bo’ness gradually asserting their authority on proceedings. A promising link-up play between Robertson and Weir almost yielded dividends, only for the Heriot Watt keeper to collect Robertson’s delivery across the face of goal comfortably. Moments later, Weir capitalized on a defensive error, but his final touch eluded him, allowing the Heriot Watt stopper to intervene decisively.
However, Bo’ness broke the deadlock in the 38th minute through a well-worked move. A defensive clearance fell kindly to Ogilvie on the edge of the box, who displayed exquisite control before feeding a pass to Shanks. The ensuing cross found MacDonald, whose looping header towards the far post was met with a deft nod from Weir, sending the ball cascading into the net. It was a crucial breakthrough for Bo’ness, with Weir reaffirming his status as one of the team’s prolific scorers this season.
Heriot Watt responded valiantly, almost finding an equalizer from a menacing corner kick. However, Currid’s heroics ensured Bo’ness maintained their slender lead heading into the interval.
As the second half unfolded, Heriot Watt grew in confidence, earning themselves a lifeline in the 61st minute from the penalty spot. A contentious challenge in the box resulted in a spot-kick for Heriot Watt, duly dispatched to level the scores and set the stage for a tense finale.
With momentum swinging in their favour, Heriot Watt threatened to snatch victory, forcing Currid into action with a series of menacing attempts. Sensing the need for a change, Irvine opted for a tactical reshuffle, introducing Godwin and Cunningham in place of MacDonald and Robertson.
Amidst the pulsating end-to-end action, both sides traded blows in a bid to seize the initiative. Cunningham came close with a low-driven effort, while Heriot Watt spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to take the lead with a curling shot narrowly missing the target.
However, in the dying moments of the game, Bo’ness conjured a decisive breakthrough. A well-delivered free-kick from Ogilvie found Weir at the far post, whose deft header across goal was met by the predatory instincts of Cunningham, ensuring victory for Bo’ness and igniting scenes of jubilation amongst the players and supporters alike.
The cup triumph not only marks a significant milestone for Bo’ness but also presents an opportunity to compete in next season’s SFA Scottish Cup. Bo’ness will vie for a coveted spot in the first round draw through a round-robin tournament, where they will lock horns with West of Scotland’s Drumchapel United and a team from the South of Scotland Football League. As they bask in the glory of their latest triumph, Bo’ness will undoubtedly relish the prospect of further silverware in the forthcoming campaign.
Final Score: Heriot Watt University 1 – 2 Bo’ness Athletic
The Alex Jack Cup Final
Match Highlights
