Mouthwatering derby awaits as Bo'Ness aim to lay a hand on title

WILLIE NEWBIGGING is confident Bo'ness can overcome the absence of one of their most influential players to edge closer to an historic Super League title defence tomorrow.

Club captain Roger Duffin is missing the crunch clash with arch-rivals Linlithgow Rose at Newtown Park (2.30pm kick-off) after going off on his honeymoon yesterday.

But Newbigging believes he has sufficient cover for the big defender as his side seek a win that would put them in the driving seat in a thrilling title race.

The two teams go into the game locked together on 36 points at the top of the table, with Bo'ness six goals better off, while Hill of Beath are just a point behind the pair of them. Bo'ness have a game in hand on both sides and will be difficult to catch if they can make home advantage count against Dave Baikie's side.

"Being without Roger is definitely a bit of a blow because he leads by example and has been playing extremely well for us," admitted Newbigging.

"But we've got the likes of Fraser Forrest and Brian McQueen who can slot in for him so hopefully we'll have enough in reserve."

Newbigging rightly claims his side deserve enormous credit for putting themselves in a position where they are challenging for the title again.

They found themselves with a daunting backlog of fixtures entering the final few weeks of the season but have managed to get through them without dropping too many points.

"All credit has to go to my players because they have been absolutely unbelievable, showing a lot of desire and character," he added.

"A few of them have injuries but they want to keep playing and, regardless of what happens over the next couple of weeks, it has been a very successful season for us.

"We are going in the right direction as a club and that, for me, is the most important thing."

Graham Guy is back from suspension but, as well as Duffin, Bo'ness could also be without Chris McFadyen, Graeme McLaren and Chris Donnelly through injury.

"Graeme is struggling and Chris McFadyen is touch and go - they are all big players for us," said the manager.

"First and foremost we will have to roll up our sleeves and win the battle, as that's what it will be, and they will be coming here fancying their chances.

"We know what it will mean for us if we win but this is Lithgae Rose we are talking about - it's a local derby and there will be a big crowd."

Rose lost at home to Tayport last weekend then dropped two more points at Bathgate on Tuesday night. But Baikie is still quietly confident his side can nick the title.

"I certainly think it was a bonus for us when Bo'ness drew at Musselburgh on Wednesday night," he said.

"I had heard Musselburgh were going to field a team of fringe players and trialists and I feared the worst, to be honest.

"I was getting text messages during the game and when I got one to say it had gone 2-1 to Bo'ness after 86 minutes I thought, 'that's it gone'.

"But I then get another one soon afterwards to say it was 2-2 and I thought, 'brilliant'.

"At least it gives us a chance and, even if tomorrow's game is a draw, that will still be the case. "Yes, it will leave it more open for Bo'ness but they've got Forfar away then Tayport in their last two matches and Tayport need to win that one to stay up."

Linlithgow's final game is at home to Bonnyrigg and Baikie is determined his side go into that encounter still in the running.

"We should have won at Bathgate the other night," he said. "We created a lot of chances while their goalie, who I believe had almost been throwing them in against Bo'ness the previous week, was outstanding.

"We're a side that is always going to create chances and hopefully we can take some of them in these final two games.

"The reason we've not had that winning habit of late is that we've conceded far too many goals but, in fairness, there are mitigating circumstances for that.

"Due to John Ward being unavailable because of his work, Dario Quinn being out injured and Jordi Virgili going back to Spain, we've not had the same back four for months.

"We've had to use some midfield players in the back four and that's why our goals against tally is as high as a lot of the other teams in the league."

On tomorrow's game, Baikie declared: "We're looking forward to it. It's a great game for both clubs to have at this stage of the season.

"Bo'ness have done well to make up the ground but I always suspected they would due to the strength of pool they have."

"We know what it will mean for us if we win but this is Lithgae Rose we are talking about"