Title chasers pushed hard by Glenrothes

BO'NESS UNITED continued their drive for the East Region Super League Championship with a narrow win against basement side Glenrothes.

Glenrothes were reduced to ten men when David Caine brought down Nicky Walker, stopping his run through on the keeper, and it was an easy decision for the referee to show Caine the red card. From the resulting free kick Derek Fleming chipped onto the end of the Glenrothes cross bar but from then on Bo'ness found it difficult to take advantage of their extra man.

Indeed, Glenrothes went ahead after 35 minutes with a Sean Simpson free kick that curled into the top corner of the net from twenty five yards. However five minutes later it was even again when David King fouled Paul Shields in the Glenrothes box and Fleming blasted past Jamie Roberts from the spot. Early in the second half Glenrothes threatened when Sam Buchan played a good ball forward but a timely Will Snowdon tackle prevented John Martin going through on goal.

Another Nicky Walker run then paid dividends for Bo'ness.

A rash Reon Juskowiak challenge stopped Walker in his tracks and Fleming converted his second penalty of the match to put Bo'ness ahead for the first time.

The ten men rallied though and equalised within four minutes. Lee Duffin put the ball in the danger area and Martin responded with an angled volley that flashed into the net from six yards. Soon after Martin almost scored again, winning the ball in midfield before driving a low shot that hit the outside of the Bo'ness post.

That was a real let off for the home side but with seven minutes they regained the lead. A free kick won just outside the box was dispatched low into the net courtesy of Darren Gribben and Glenrothes had it all to do again.

This time there was no way back for Glenrothes and while Bo'ness celebrated extending their lead at the top, Glenrothes were left to contemplate the weeks ahead where their luck must change or relegation awaits.

Bo'ness United: Longmuir, Snowdon, Fleming, Forrest, (Main 35), Duffin, Morrison, Ballantine, Nixon (Gribben 73), Shields ( McFadyen 63), Walker, Donnelly. Subs: Brown, Churchill, Kiczynski, McGurk.

Glenrothes: Roberts, Caine, King, Buist, Juskowiak, Simpson, Fortune, Duffy, Buchan, Meikle, Martin. Subs: Burt, Trialist, Gibson, Trialist. Guppy.