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The sun shining brightly on a hot August afternoon, Bo'ness United, in their first home league game of the season, are presented with their championship flag for winning last season's East District Division One title. Such a lovely scenario, surely visitors Bonnyrigg Rose wouldn't have the temerity to come to Newtown Park and spoil the mood? Would they? Well, no - though worthy enough competitors for an hour of this match, the away side were ultimately overrun by a fine Bo'ness performance, with goals from Graeme Donald, David Muirhead, Gordon Abbott and Martin Mooney helping their team to comfortable victory.
Bo'ness began the contest brightly, taking the lead with just six minutes played when a Jamie Loney corner from the left wing was met by Donald at the far post and confidently headed in. They might even have doubled their lead five minutes later, when an Abbott shot from six yards was stopped at point blank range by the goalkeeper, with Muirhead unable to turn the rebound into the net.
But the visitors struck back - with 13 minutes on the clock, the ball was pushed out to the right of the penalty area, from where the forward's low drive back across goal was enough to beat BU 'keeper Mark Cairns. The goalkeeper got a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out - he might have done better.
It was developing into a highly enjoyable game, and played at a pace higher than one might have expected on such a scorching day. More of the pressure was coming from the home team, but Bonnyrigg looked capable on the counter. On 23 minutes, the No.11 drew a good diving save from Cairns, his low effort from twenty yards tipped wide of the 'keeper's right hand post.
Bo'ness emphasised their continued threat with 32 minutes gone when a Dale Ryan cross was headed down into the path of Abbott, but from close range, under pressure, and with an awkward bounce, the forward was only able to hook the ball over the bar. At the other end, Bo'ness almost got themselves into big trouble six minutes later, when an attempted Gary Smith header back to his goalkeeper fell well short. But Cairns was alert to the danger, and rushed out to make a superb block as a scavenging forward tried to steer the loose ball into the net.
Then, as it appeared likely the teams would have to settle for a tied scoreline at the half, Bo'ness got a break as the game headed into stoppage time. Smith curled in an excellent cross from the right, and as Donald got in ahead of his marker at the far post he appeared to be bundled over from behind before he could reach the ball. The referee had no hesitation, and Muirhead added to the penalty he scored the previous week at Oakley, hammering the ball in from the spot as the goalkeeper moved the wrong way.
A half-time lead, then, but though Bo'ness were probably worthy leaders, there was not much between the teams in the first half. The home side thus had to come out looking to give themselves a cushion - and that they did, within ninety seconds of the restart, when the ball fell for Abbott in space at the left-hand side of the penalty area, and he lashed a left-foot volley beyond the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
Following this setback, Bonnyrigg looked to be struggling in the following five minutes, as Bo'ness, playing good, attacking football, threatened to take complete control. But the away side, to their credit, weathered this storm and soon began to turn the tables, getting a grip in midfield and asking questions of the Bo'ness defence. Three of the BUs' backline - Smith, Derek Yates and Dougie Todd - were booked in the space of five minutes.
It was therefore unfortunate for Bonnyrigg that with 61 minutes gone it was not them, but Bo'ness who struck next. A high ball was lofted into the box and appeared likely to bounce through to the goalkeeper, but as Abbott darted through a pack of players into the area to chase the ball, he went down. The referee's verdict, much to the consternation of the visitors, was that he had been tripped. Muirhead again accepted the gift, rattling home his third goal from the spot in two games.
That, with a three goal advantage and under half an hour to play, was effectively that. Bonnyrigg, demoralised by the loss of another goal at a time they had been in the ascendency, were unable to maintain their pressure, while the heat sapped their energy to chase the game.
The BUs looked the more likely to score again in the closing stages of the contest, and, shortly after substitute Carlin went near with a long range effort, they did score a fifth with six minutes to play. Assisted by Carlin and John Jeffrey, substitute Martin Mooney gathered a short pass fifteen yards from goal and, with the goalkeeper off his line, produced a brilliant chip with his first touch which looked to be floating over before dipping sharply under the crossbar.
There might have been further goals yet. In stoppage time, a Bonnyrigg header almost caught Cairns out before bouncing to safety off the post, then Mooney nearly scored his second, his strike from close in well blocked by the 'keeper. By this stage, however, the result was certainly not in doubt.
The best showing yet, and by some way the best result, under Jimmy Sandison. Very much a result to lift the supporters' spirits, and an indication from the team that, early reservations notwithstanding, they can compete at Super League level.
Bo'ness United: cairns; Smith, Loney, Todd, Yates [capt], Burrows, Ryan, Muirhead, Abbott, Donald, Jeffrey.