Bo'ness ready for one last push to retain title

Bo'ness are in pole position after last weekend's surprise slip-up by Linlithgow at home to Bonnyrigg in their final game. But the last lap certainly won't be akin to a relaxing Saturday afternoon drive for Willie Newbigging's side.

Their opponents, Tayport, are heading to Newtown Park (2.30pm kick-off) on a mission themselves as they fight to stay in the top flight.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there won't be one final twist," admitted the Bo'ness boss. "It's been in our hands, out of our hands and now it's back in them again.

"The last few weeks have been a nightmare, to be honest, and I've not even been out there on the park. I can only imagine how shattered the players must be, but it's come down to us needing just one point from our final match and we are confident we can get it."

As Bo'ness were winning 2-0 at Forfar West End last Saturday, Linlithgow's title hopes were going down the drain as they crashed 4-2 to Bonnyrigg.

At the same time, Hill of Beath won 2-0 against Kelty, leaving the Fifers, Bo'ness and Linlithgow all locked together on 39 points.

But it's now down to just Bo'ness and Hill of Beath, as both teams have the same goal difference of plus 11, while Linlithgow are stuck on plus nine. Any type of defeat for Bo'ness would hand the title to Hill of Beath.

"As our game was going on last Saturday, some of our fans beside the dug-out were keeping track of what was happening down at Linlithgow," said Newbigging.

"I was trying my best to concentrate on our game because, first and foremost, we had to win at Forfar.

"But, at the same time, it was difficult not to get excited when we heard it was 1-0, 2-0 and then 3-0. I think you'll know that I might have said something slightly stronger than 'my goodness' at that point!

"We missed a penalty in the first half of our game but I told the players at half-time that they just had to stay patient and, thankfully, we got a couple of goals in the second half.

"After the previous weekend, when we'd lost 4-0 to Linlithgow, the boys were back on a high again and now we are looking forward to this weekend."

Tayport are sitting in one of the relegation spots going into the game but a win will take them above Camelon, who have had to sweat for a few weeks now to see what their fate is going to be.

"We certainly won't be taking anything for granted in this game," said Newbigging. "It is an extremely difficult match for us as Tayport are a tough side.

"Indeed, since John McGlashan came in they have picked up and, having just come up into the Super League this season, they will be determined to stay there.

"It has the makings of a really exciting game and it's a case of 'bring it on' as far as we are concerned.

"Eight or ten weeks ago people were doubting whether we could make up the ground on the teams above us but here we are in a position where, with one game to go, it's in our hands.

"Last season, with a brand-new team after bringing in 17 players, it was really special for Bo'ness to win the Super League. Now it would be extra special if we could become the first team to retain the title - that's the added incentive for us on Saturday."

On-loan Hamilton defender Brian McQueen is away on holiday but, on the plus side, skipper Roger Duffin is available again.

"Roger's timing for his honeymoon wasn't the best, to be fair, but it will be great to have him back for such an important match," said the Bo'ness boss.

"Since the winter break, I think he's gone from strength to strength. In fact, he's one of those players who is getting better as he gets older.

"Graeme McLaren might also be available for Saturday. He tore a hamstring against Bathgate recently and that looked as though it was going to rule him out for the rest of the season.

"But he hopes to be fit which is an indication of how this is a game that everyone wants to be involved in."