Report - Bo'ness United 4-5 Broxburn

Newtown Park, 8th August 2001 - Carlsberg League Cup, First Round

BO'NESS UNITED 4-5 BROXBURN (3-1 HT)

The largely miserable pre-season results could previously be passed off as unimportant, as mere friendlies - here, however, was the confirmation BU fans were fearing, that their team may well be set to struggle in what is an undeniably crucial season. Defence has previously been the problem area, and here it was again. Unorganised, sometimes even lacking in basic skills, and lacking in depth. Derek Yates is surely the only natural centre-half in the squad - and, fine a player as he is, that most definitely is insufficient.

Losing cup games to Second Division opposition, particularly at home, was something Bo'ness turned into a speciality last term, and they picked up where they left off in this, their first competitive fixture of the season. But this loss was perhaps more disturbing than any of last season's embarrassments. 3-0 up after 27 minutes, it should have been impossible for Bo'ness United to lose this. Instead, the old defensive failings were more apparent than ever, leading to the first cup exit of the season, and giving a grim sign of things to come in the more important league campaign.

If there was solace to be found, it was in attack. Some good approach work and a very impressive hat-trick from striker Allan Ward were reasons for some cheer. It was, indeed, an adventurous 4-3-3 line-up with which Bo'ness started, and they reaped the rewards going forward with a goal after seven minutes from Colin Campbell, who, supplied by Gary Smith, found space in the box to smash his shot in off the underside of the bar. Five minutes later, Ward also found himself in space aplenty as Broxburn demonstrated their own failings, and showed composure to double the home side's lead. Then, on 27 minutes, Brian Kemp won the ball well in midfield, and fed Ward, who jinked past three men to score a delightful goal. Game over?

Well, not quite. Broxburn had already threatened early on, hitting a post with an audacious 30 yard effort with six minutes played, and coming close after quarter of an hour, but firing wide of Neil Binnie's post. Despite the score, this was not all one way traffic. And, just a minute after Bo'ness had cruised into a three goal lead, Broxburn had one back. A light shove, but a shove nonetheless, in a forward's back led to a penalty kick, which was confidently converted by No.3.

Still, 3-1 at the break seemed comfortable enough. But what is to be done about this defence? Playing offside traps worked for the Milan of Baresi, Maldini, Tissotti, Costacurta et al., it worked for Arsenal's grand old back four, but it doesn't work for Bo'ness. Broxburn's second goal, on 57 minutes, certainly looked yards offside, but one is entitled to doubt when the trap is so lacking in cohesion. The referee certainly doubted enough to allow play to go on, and Broxburn's No.10 to reduce the deficit.

The BUs' response was quick, however. Ward produced another fine finish just one minute later to restore the two goal advantage. But Broxburn were not to be put back in their place. On 63 minutes, it was the No.10 again who shot low and hard past Neil Binnie to make it 4-3. Then, with around twenty minutes to go, the equaliser came. Allowed space and time to shoot from 25 yards, the visitors' No.9 unleashed a rocket of a shot, which Binnie touched, but could not keep out.

Bo'ness now pushed forward with the abandon of a side who believed they were much more likely to win this way than by playing more conservatively and accepting the eventual penalty kicks, if and when they came. There was no obvious reason why this should be; Broxburn had been, and continued to be, every bit as good as their hosts. Bo'ness came close on a couple of occasions, but Broxburn really should have scored the winner before they did. On several occasions, with their opponents' full-backs posted AWOL, Broxburn might well have found a counter-attack goal had they displayed more composure against the isolated Yates and King, or better finishing. Never mind - their winner came anyway, this time when the full complement of "defenders" was in attendance for Bo'ness. Too frightened, or maybe just unable, to tackle in the box as Broxburn's No.7 lead them a merry dance with two minutes to play, before netting to seal victory. Poor Neil Binnie hadn't stood a chance all game.

Bo'ness United: Binnie; Smith, Nimmo, Black (Hodge), Yates, King, Campbell, Kemp, McKinlay, Ward, Ryan (Loney)

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