Super League rivals can’t be separated

Bathgate opened the brighter of the two in this Super League clash but it was the Bo’ness striker Nicky Walker, with his blistering pace, who caught the eye.

His ability to find space and step up a gear was very effective. In the 30th minute, he picked up the ball in his own half, left the Bathgate defence trailing, raced down to the right hand byeline before crossing for Johnny Harvey at the near post. Harvey turned nicely but his effort went into the side netting.

Then it was Bathgate’s turn to push forward. Brian Fairbairn took a corner on the left low to Andrioni. Fairbairn picked up the return and fired in a shot which was headed off the line by Steven Reilly.

In the second half, Bathgate’s Gary Bonnes had a great effort blocked then Bo’ness ace Johnny Harvey produced a peach of a turn in the six-yard box and fired off a terrific shot only for Bathgate keeper Andy Carlin to save low down.

With only five minutes to go, Walker’s pace took him through on home keeper Carlin, who came out to block his effort. The ball bounced nicely for Harvey who passed to sub Kevin Watt in front of an open goal but he blasted over.

Bathgate Thistle: Carlin, McCulloch, Hamilton, Leiper, Buchanan, Fallon, Andrioni, Fairbairn, McSween, Jeffrey, Bonnes. Subs: Hogg, Johnston, Love.

Bo’ness United: Christie, Snowdon, Bonnar, Reilly, Gibb, Shields, Hamilton, Duffy, Walker, Harvey, Donnelly. Subs: Plenderleith, Nimmo, Watt, Stewart, Beveridge, Hay, Allen.