Gales hit Christie’s plans ahead of big game with Bo’ness

“We had to cancel training in Tuesday due to the wind,” reported the Rose manager, pictured below.

“It would have been farcical outside in the conditions and there were no indoor facilities available.”

Bo’ness were due to host Bonnyrigg, the league leaders at the time, a fortnight ago but that match fell to the weather.

It allowed Hill of Beath to take over top spot but Christie is hoping his side can reclaim that position heading into the two-week Festive shutdown. Just as important, though, is getting a game before then, especially as the Midlothian men were flying before being stopped in their tracks by the weather.

“We’ve already gone two weekends now without a game and the last thing we want is to find ourselves falling behind with fixtures,” he admitted.

The cancellation a fortnight ago allowed Christie and assistant Stevie Ellison to take in two games in the one afternoon.

They watched the first half of the game between Fife & Lothians Cup opponents Glenrothes and Newtongrange at New Victoria Park before heading down to Olivebank to catch the second half of Musselburgh’s clash with Hill of Beath.

On a day of mixed fortunes for the two Fife teams, Glenrothes lost 4-0 but Hill of Beath won 4-2, though Musselburgh ended that game with eight men.

“I actually thought Musselburgh were on top when they were down to ten men but it was a different story after they had two more players sent off,” said Christie.

“Hill of Beath are certainly a good team but I don’t think there is an awful lot between any of the teams in the Super League.”

Due to cup commitments and cancellations, Bo’ness have only played five league games so far this season and are trailing Bonnyrigg by ten points.

“As would have been the case a fortnight ago, it has the makings of an interesting game and big one for both teams,” added Christie.

“The two teams are capable of beating each other and both of us will be keen to head into the break on the back of a good result.”

One player keen for the game to go ahead is new Bo’ness signing Johnny Harvey, who was snapped up by Paul Ronald after asking to leave Penicuik.

“Big Johnny is a well-kent face in Junior football,” noted Christie.

“We know all about him, having come up against him when myself and Stevie Ellison were at Arniston.”

On his latest addition to the Bo’ness squad, Ronald said: “John played alongside (assistant manager) Willie Wilson for a number of years and also played alongside myself many moons ago at Berwick Rangers when he was a young kid.

“He is a player Willie knows very well and that helped in us securing his services for Bo’ness.”

As Harvey has come in, Martin Ure has been freed by Bo’ness in a bid to help him kick-start his career after being troubled by injury. “Martin hasn’t featured much this term and has spent a long part of the season playing catch up due to his stop-start pre-season with a niggling injury,” added Ronald.

“In my short time here, he was a pleasure to work with and was a very likeable kid. We all wish him well and every success , just not against us!”

Musselburgh are also due to be in Super League action tomorrow, with Bathgate the visitors at Olivebank.

“We need to try and make sure we are safe from relegation as we have been dragged into a situation you don’t want to be in,” said Burgh boss David McGlynn.

That was reference to last season’s Junior Cup finalists sitting on the nine-point mark from ten games, with the trio of teams below them – Bo’ness, Lochee and Carnoustie – all having games in hand. In tomorrow’s other scheduled games, Carnoustie are at home to Lochee while leaders Hill of Beath are away to St Andrews.