Devastating win worth 72-year wait

Bo'ness UNITED enjoyed their first taste of Scottish Cup football for more than 70 years and, despite an early scare, completely dominated the second half and ran out comfortable 6-1 winners against East of Scotland League side Selkirk.

The last occasion that Bo'ness competed in the national competition was back in season 1938-39, when they were beaten 4-1 by Hamilton Academicals. However, their progress against Selkirk was never in doubt after a whirlwind start to the second half which saw them score two goals in two minutes.

Yarrow Park's attendance of 535 was made up mainly of Bo'ness fans who wanted to savour this historic game. Bo'ness had two players - goalkeeper Ryan McGurk and attacking midfielder Nicky Walker - who had both played there while with Whitehill Welfare.

The opening ten minutes belonged to Bo'ness, who tested Selkirk goalkeeper John Dodds with a low shot from Andy Shirra, who went on to produce a memorable 90 minutes, then Chris Donnelly hit the post with a bullet header before Dodds punched clear a dangerous inswinging corner from Derek Fleming.

Selkirk weathered this early storm and after Craig Pinnons shot wide the Souters took the lead in the 15th minute. Jason Cockburn held the ball up and played it to Des Sutherland on the left and he steadied himself before curling an accurate shot behind McGurk from 16 yards. It was Bo'ness who still had most of the possession and the impressive Paul Shields hit a dipping shot narrowly over the bar and Shirra had another fine effort blocked by Euan Pritchard before the visitors equalised in the 26th minute.

A Fleming free-kick on the left picked out the unmarked Ross Hamilton and he headed the ball into the net from eight yards. Dodds then produced a magnificent save to deny Shields but it was Selkirk who almost grabbed a second goal just before half-time. A Sutherland cross was headed by Jay Wilson and only a superb stop by McGurk's outstretched legs denied the midfielder.

Whatever Bo'ness manager Willie Newbigging said to his players at half-time paid dividends because, within four minutes of the restart, they led 3-1. First, Shields cut in from the right and from 20 yards hit an unstoppable left-foot shot into the postage stamp corner. This was immediately followed by a Shirra corner which Fraser Forrest nodded into the net at the back post.

Bo'ness were now in control and it took two excellent saves from Dodds to deny both Fleming and John Fraser before Shirra scored a cracking goal after beating two defenders and firing home a low angular shot. Substitute Martin Ure netted with a close-range effort to make it five and Shirra, the best player on display, completed the scoring seven minutes from time with a left-foot shot from 16 yards.

Shirra, in his second season at Bo'ness after spells with Stenhousemuir and Camelon, said: "In the first half there was nothing in the game and it was very tight. I thought we were a wee bit lucky to go in at half-time with a 1-1 scoreline but after we scored early in the second half it was one-way traffic.

"Our manager gave us a roasting at half-time and although I personally managed to score two goals I could have had more. However, I am happy with two and it's good to be in the next round."

Willie Newbigging, the delighted Bo'ness manager, said: "First of all I have to say that the playing surface was absolutely perfect and a real credit to the Selkirk ground staff.

"Before we travelled we knew a lot about Selkirk because we had prepared professionally. We knew that they would be hard-working and strong and would go from the first minute to the last. We looked nervous at the start with not a lot of communication and I don't know why because we have a lot of experience.

"When Selkirk took the lead it was a real wake-up call and we deserved our equaliser although Ryan had a great save just before half-time. I was quite happy at half-time because I knew that we could play better.

"Our third goal killed the game and after that we showed how professional we can be by keeping the ball and creating chances. I am delighted that Bo'ness are in the next round especially for our fans who come out in huge numbers to watch us."

Paul Brownlee, the Selkirk boss, said: "I asked the players to press and squeeze the game and we did that well enough and the early goal settled us. We did not defend their equaliser although we competed well for the first half. After conceding two quick goals we lost our shape and Bo'ness ran the show. We just have to hold our hands up and say we were beaten by a quality team."

Selkirk: Dodds, McKenzie, McManus, Inglis, Pritchard, Wilson (Craggs, 70), Gass (Milven, 70), Hossack, Sutherland, Cockburn, Pinnons (Clappertson, 80). Subs: McDougal, Andrew.

Bo'ness United: McGurk, Snowdown, Fleming, Duffin, Forrest, Fraser, Hamilton, Shirra, Shields (McFadyen, 59), Walker (Ure, 80), Donnelly (Carroll, 66). Subs: Donald, Ritchie.

Referee: E Anderson.

Selkirk 1

Bo'ness United 6