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It was a tale of two poor teams and an appalling referee at Newtown for this very disappointing league encounter. Fauldhouse looked a poorer side than the one which had defeated a similarly uninspired Bo'ness team on penalties in the League Cup, but perversely ran out much more comfortable winners in a game which always looked likely to finish in their behaviour. With a lack of outstanding players on show, it was the referee who dominated the game - awarding a controversial early penalty to the visitors and sending off two Bo'ness players, while ruining the flow of the game by his pedantry and continually blowing for the merest of fouls (or for no foul at all).
Let's not, however, pretend that the referee robbed Bo'ness of victory. As woeful as his officiating was, Bo'ness never really created clear openings throughout the game, and fell into the old trap of losing goals on the counter attack while enjoying the lion's share of possession. Fauldhouse were disappointing - the margin of victory flattered them enormously - but at least did a better job of converting their few chances.
Their first chance was granted to them by the referee, who awarded a penalty to Fauldhouse for - apparently - handball following a corner kick in the fourth minute. Players and spectators alike were bemused by the decision. However, former Bo'ness transfer target Ian McMurray stepped up to take a fine spot-kick and put the visitors in front.
Bo'ness responded by taking the game to their opponents - Gordon Herd fired wide with a shot on the turn inside the box, and after seven minutes, a superb free kick from Dougie Todd hit the base of the post. But as Bo'ness pressed forward, they were hit on the break after eighteen minutes. Fauldhouse's No.7 found himself through on goal on the right hand side of the box, and produced a splendid finish to beat former Fauldhouse 'keeper Ewan Wilson.
The same player almost embarrassed Wilson two minutes later when he robbed the goalkeeper of the ball, but from a very narrow angle, his effort flew across the face of the goal.
Mooney came close after 42 minutes, firing just wide, but most of the remainder of the period was dominated by free-kick awards, primarily against Bo'ness, and mainly for "offences" which netball officials would have deemed soft. The contest lacked quality football and any kind of flow, and the second half would not bring significant improvements.
Only two minutes into the second period, Graeme Donald was ordered off for a second yellow card, after protesting in frustration at the award of yet another negligible foul. Two goals and a man down, the match was effectively over. The home side continued to apply pressure, but lacked the guile to break down the Fauldhouse defence.
After sixty-five minutes, Fauldhouse broke forward to put the contest beyond any doubt, when their No.10 got on the end of a high ball into the box to send a looping header beyond Wilson. Fauldhouse attacks were rare, but undoubtedly more deadly than their hosts'.
As a game which had never really got going in the first place petered out, the referee further demonstrated his command of affairs, booking Bo'ness' new signing No.12 for breathing, and than dismissed Mooney following an altercation with fifteen minutes to play.
It was never likely to be a classic exhibition of football with these two under-performing teams, and Fauldhouse, more direct and incisive, would likely have won in any case, but the referee's farcical performance denied the spectators at least the consolation of a close contest.
Bo'ness United: Wilson; Smith (No.12), Loney (Ryan), Dillon, Yates [capt.], King, Todd, Donald, Herd, Mooney, Kemp.