Newburgh JFC will be glad to see the back of Bo’ness Athletic as the visitors to East Shore Park continue their mission of achieving back-to-back promotions on a sharp upward trajectory. After three meetings this season, Athletic have netted a staggering 26 goals with only 2 conceded in reply. Whilst that actually says more about the prowess of Bo’ness (many other clubs have been similarly hit by their power), Burgh seem to have suffered the most.
It took Athletic just 70 seconds to get the ball rolling after a charging run into the Burgh half saw a defence-splitting through ball for Callum MacDonald to slot past the advancing debutant keeper Jack Foster for the lead.
In the 4th minute a neat one-two between Weir and Robertson sent the latter running in towards goal and he played the ball across the face of goal and MacDonald had the easy task of tapping home.
On 20 minutes MacDonald completed his hat-trick after a quickly taken free-kick caught the Burgh defence napping and MacDonald was able to hold off his nearest man to roll a sweet finish into the far corner.
On 38 minutes it was 4-0 when Rory Ferguson lost possession just inside the Bo’ness half, a quick break happened and Weir’s pass just outside the area cut through the defence for MacDonald to turn and fire low into the net. It was all too easy for a side that are simply too strong for this division and a side seemingly that must have a grudge against Newburgh for some reason.
Two minutes later and another quickly taken free kick saw a deep cross from Shanks find Kangni-Soukpe at the far side of the area. The Athletic number 7 was allowed all the time he needed to drive along the inside of the area and pick his spot past a now-bewildered Foster who must have been wondered what had hit him as Bo’ness went in at the break 5-0 up.
The visitors weren’t taking their foot off the gas and 7 minutes into the second half they extended their lead. Once again, they were comfortable playing along the outside of the Burgh area before MacDonald turned provider and picked his spot to float a cross for Weir to power a header home from about 7 yards out.
On 55 minutes goal number 7 started on the edge of Bo’ness’ own area with a quick pass to the left wing on the half way line and a ball played forward with Jowitt on the far side playing the visitors onside leaving subs Binnie and Shearer bearing down on goal. The Broxburn loanee didn’t need any assistance as he slotted home.
Moments later it was 8-0 with another pass splitting the defence open and Shearer’s cross-shot could only be diverted into his own net by a Burgh defender.
The only thing, perhaps, missing for the visitors was a goal for Robertson. After a spell without a goal, it duly came on 82 minutes as Athletic continued their dominance and comfort on the ball in and around the opposition penalty area. As the ball was played into the box, it was almost like they were lining up and it was Robertson who took aim to net number 9.
Full credit to Bo’ness for a dominating display from a side that is clearly too strong for anyone in this division to match over a season, and I would wager they would be a serious threat for the top teams in the next division – and perhaps even the Premier Division.
Whilst it’s another painful and battering blow to Burgh by Bo’ness, there was simply no match for their strength but the side must learn to defend stronger and better starting with a critical match against Ormiston Primrose next Saturday.
