Ashfield F & A C 5 Bo`ness United 2 , Westfield Park, Denny - Kick-off 4pm


Ashfield produced a terrific performance to defeat East SuperLeague team Bo`ness United at a rainy Westfield Park this afternoon and basically continue where they left off from last season. Bo`ness United had spent `big` in the close season with many ex-Seniors in their Line-up, however it was the men from Glasgow that really produced the goods this afternoon scoring some excellent goals to start the season off with a bang !

Overcast skies welcomed both Teams onto the park with Bo`ness Utd and Ashfield playing in their traditional colours.The Match started off at great pace and it was the men from the west that produced the game`s first chance after 8 mins. Great link up play from Tony Chalmers & Craig Smith resulted in the Ashfield No 9 driving the ball towards the top corner of the net only to be denied by the Bo`ness keeper who produced a wonderful one handed save. The `field almost scored from the resultant corner with Paul Maxwell back-heeling the ball goalwards before being cleared to safety.

There were some tough early exchanges in this very competitve friendly and the Referee was kept busy. Craig Smith almost broke through the Bo`ness rearguard after 20 minutes however was brought down on the edge of the box. From the Free-Kick, Captain Mark Thomson drilled the ball low and hard which was brilliantly stopped by the Bo`ness keeper. The young Trialist in the BU`s goal was making a name for himself early in the Match. A carbon-copy of the previous move again with Craig Smith being fouled on the edge of the box brought the game`s first Card and from the resultant Free-Kick Ashfield went ahead. Again it was Mark Thomson who took the set-piece expertedly drilling it low and hard past the `keeper to put the `field 1-0 up. Ashfield 1 Bo`ness United 0.

This sparked the men in blue into the game and they were causing Ashfield some problems down the left wing however again it was Ashfield that almost increased their lead. A brilliant through ball from Bert Wright found Paul Maxwell running in on goal, he controlled the ball well however drilled his shot just past the post. BU`s immediately responded and a lovely floated cross into the box fell to the Bo`ness forward & his left foot volley smacked off the cross bar. The resultant corner was well saved by Prior in the Ashfield goal. After 38 minutes the game was level - A left foot cross into the box was brilliantly cleared for a corner by Sean Carberry but the resultant whipped in corner came off the young Ashfield defender`s head & ended up in his own net to square the Match. Ashfield 1 Bo`ness United 1

Ashfield almost went ahead shortly after with Paul Maxwell bringing out another excellent save from the Bo`ness keeper, but the Springburn outfit went ahead 3 minutes later. A lovely delivered Free-Kick from Mark Thomson on the right was side-footed into the Bo`ness net by Alan `Spider` Smith in controversial circumstances as Bo`ness players appealed that the Referee had blown his whistle after the Free-Kick had been delivered. Ashfield 2 Bo`ness United 1.


HALF TIME:- ASHFIELD 2 BO`NESS UTD 1

It had been a terrific first half from both teams and was a credit to their pre-season training as Ashfield and Bo`ness had played the first half at a very fast tempo. Bo`ness were keen to claw back the deficit and had a real go at the `field from the `off` and were unfortunate not to draw level in the 48th minute. After good play on the left wing the ball was played into the Ashfield box where the BU No 9 found himself free, however was denied by two point blank saves from Chris Prior in the Ashfield goal to keep the `field ahead.

Bon`ess were made to pay for not converting their early second half pressure in the 55th minute when Bert Wright delivered a wicked Corner Kick to the far post and found the onrushing Alan `Spider` Smith who bulleted a downward header into the Bo`ness net to the delight of the travelling support. Ashfield 3 Bo`ness Utd 1.

Bo`ness continued to play some excellent attacking football but found Chris Prior in the Ashfield goal in excellent form. Both sides made a number of changes and in the 67th Minute, Bo`ness gave themselves a lifeline pulling a goal back albeit controversially. Gordon Passmore, who was outstanding for Ashfield today, tried to play the ball out but was `barged ?` by the Bo`ness forward who then delivered the ball into the Ashfield box which was clinically finished by a Bo`ness forward. I suppose this goal made up for Ashfield`s controversial 2nd goal. Ashfield 3 Bo`ness Utd 2.

It was `game on` now & the tide was heading towards the Ashfield goal however the game turned on its head when Bert Wright picked up the ball wide right in the 77th Minute and cut in from the right, weaving his way past a couple of defenders before unleasing an unstoppable drive to put the `field 4-2 up. Ashfield 4 Bo`ness Utd 2.

This effectively killed off the Bo`ness challenge and with 4 minutes to go Ashfield increased their lead. A lovely move involving Alistair Martin & Paul Mangon, resulted in Paul whipping over a great ball into the Six yard box for the onrushing Ashfield Trialist to bullet the ball home. A great finish to a super move. Ashfield 5 Bo`ness U td 2.

The Referee brought proceedings to an end shortly after in what had been a friendly of a very high standard. Bo`ness Utd are a really talented outfit and we wish them well for the Season ahead. Ashfield continue to go from strength to strenght and can go into tomorrow`s game against Dunipace with confidence.


FINAL SCORE:- ASHFIELD 5 BO`NESS UTD 2

Man of the Match:- Every member of the team produced the goods and special mention to Jamie Coll for an outstanding debut, Chris Prior in the `field goal & Spider for his 2 goals, however Gordon Passmore was outstanding with his forward movements & delivery of passing.

Attendance:- Approx. 200

Photographs by:- Inga