League Cup:
Bathgate Thistle:
Carlin, Trialist, Neill, Menmuir, Easton (McFadyen), F. Love, Trialist (Wilson), Nicolson (McColligan),
McGrillen, McPhee, McLaren. Subs: Longmuir, Trialist.
Bo'ness United:
Logan, G. Brown, Fullarton, Gafney, Tully, Mortimer (Mauchline), Scott (Morrison), Snowdon, S. Brown, Allison,
Mullen. Subs: Kirkwood, Muir, Young.
Bathgate started this local derby match with two trialists in their starting lineup. One of the new faces
was easily recognised as seasoned campaigner, Andy McLaren of Ayr United, Dundee United and Kilmarnock fame. Thistle settled
into their game quite quickly and recent signing Graeme McLaren found space on the edge of the box and his first time shot
was just tipped over the crossbar by keeper Logan. Minute's later Bathgate's other trialist sent in a rasping shot from fully
thirty yards with such ferocity that it cannoned off the crossbar with the United keeper looking on helplessly and the ball
rebounded back almost to the half way line. Referee McLennan was continually stopping play for minor incidents and as a result
both teams found it difficult to play any flowing football. In the thirty sixth minute Fraser Love's drive from twenty five
yards just scimmed past keeper Logan's right hand post. Two minutes from half time Menmuir pulled Scott to the ground and
Referee immediately reached for his red card and Menmuir played no further part in the proceedings. One minute later Scott
Brown slipped his marker but his final effort was blasted into the side netting.
Hlaf time: Bathgate Thistle 0 - Bo'ness United 0
Bathgate had to re-organise their lineup following Menmuir's departure and they were under pressure in the
opening minute when Allison slipped through the defence but with only keeper Carlin to beat he pushed his shot wide. Twelve
minutes into the second half Bo'ness were awarded a free kick and Paul Mortimer gave Carlin no chance with the resultant kick
and he sent the large Bo'ness support into rapture as he put his side into the lead. Bo'ness were unlucky two minutes later
when Scott Brown's header just cleared the crossbar with Carlin beaten. At the other end Brian McPhee found himself in space
but his header was too high and sailed over the crossbar. In the seventy sixth minute Bathgate were awarded a free kick thirty
yards out and McLaren's well placed free kick caused panic in the bo'ness defence and ended with Gary Brown heading the ball
past his own keeper into the net to bring Thistle level. Three minutes from time Morrison broke through the home defence and
as keeper Carlin rushed out of his goals he pushed his shot past the post.
Manager Hill said "We should have performed better but we couldn't
get into our stride in the
first half for the number of stoppages for minor infringements. We had to change the shape when Menmuir was dismissed
but we should have been able to cope but didn't and as a result lost two points".
Final score: Bathgate Thistle 1 - Bo'ness United 1.
