Bo`ness Utd 4 Kennoway Star Hearts 1
.Looking to build on their last outing after a win at Sauchie, KSH travelled to Bo`ness for their first visit to Newtown Park.
A composed start of the match saw KSH look confident in possession but there was no real chances created. The home supportwere getting restless as the visitors had the bulk of the ball.
So often this season good periods of play have been undone when the other sides step up their physicality and use a more direct approach. Bo`ness had the advantage with some towering players starting to dominate any high ball all over the pitch.
The first warning sign arrived on the 20th minute when Craig had to clear on the goal line after a header from a corner kick looked goal bound.However two minutes later an almost identical set piece saw the opening goal. A corner from Stevenson was headed towards goal only for Paterson to make an instinctive save,however Campbell was on hand to smash the ball home from a few yards out.
Set piece delivery and marking were causing for concern as Bo`ness then had another headed effort cleared again by Craig. The second goal duly arrived on the half hour mark with another corner kick from the right,this time the ball was powered into the top corner with Campbell rising above a static KSH defence for his second goal of the game.
The odd flurry of activity in attack did not lead to much for KSH as they still tried to get the ball down and play. Their persistence was rewarded five minutes before half time when Muir picked the ball up deep before hitting a slide-rule pass between two defenders for M.Gay to advance and cleverly clip the ball past Murphy for a much needed lifeline. HT 2-1
Into the second half and the away side looked bright again with good possession and a couple of half chances. Shaw was looking lively as his twisting and turning was providing to be a thorn in the flesh for the Bo`ness defenders. M.Gay saw one shot after a solo run saved by Murphy.
However it was the hosts who showed their efficiency in delivering quality set pieces into the danger area. This time it was a free kick played into the penalty area that caused confusion when a flick from Millar caught out Paterson and several players trying to clear the ball on the goal line.
The visitors threatened with a quick break forward but no danger came as the ball was easily cleared to safety. The game fell into a bit of a midfield battle with a lot of challenges and play broken up with several fouls. The visitors swung a decent ball into the box from a free kick on the far side but it was easily cleared and the follow up shot from McGowan sailed over the crossbar from twenty yards.
Then a header from C,Gay saw the home `keeper scrambling as the ball just narrowly missed the target. Kennoway tried to get the next goal to give themselves a lifeline but it looked a tough ask against a resolute Bo`ness back line.
With twelve minutes remaining the icing on the cake for the home side came with the goal of the day. A free kick a good 30 yards from goal saw Gray hit a howitzer of a shot into the roof of the net leaving Paterson helpless. A goal that ensured the points after a clinical display in taking their chances when they came along for the home side.
It could have been more for Bo`ness but for the heroics on the goal line by Doig as he cleared after Millar`s shot looked to be heading towards the net.
A flurry of corners for KSH in the closing minutes but nothing of note as the referee blew for time and a convincing win for the home side. FT 4-1
Team: Paterson McGowan Doig Brewster Craig Muir C.Gay Rolland Band M.Gay Shaw Subs: Young Johnstone Collins Lindsay
