Match Report: Bo’Ness Athletic 2–3 St Andrews United
Newton Park

Following the midweek heroics of Scotland’s national side, the travelling Saints faithful might well have wondered if anything in club colours could match the exhilaration of Tuesday night. As it turned out, this remarkable afternoon in Bo’Ness ensured that the entire week will be etched fondly—and perhaps frantically—into the memory of every St Andrews United supporter.

The opening ten minutes offered little to hint at the drama to come: calm, composed, and even. But in the 11th minute Bo’Ness broke the deadlock, a low cross finding its way to the back post where the home forward nipped ahead of Gillan to prod the ball home for 1–0.

Any home comfort lasted mere seconds. On 13 minutes, Milne produced a piece of magic worthy of any stage—sleek one-twos down the right, a flick over the defender, and a rasping volley that soared into the net. A superb equaliser and a statement of intent.

Saints began to purr. On 19 minutes a sweeping move down the left ended only with the final ball deserting them, while moments later McManus found himself in the box but unable to pull the trigger. The chance of the half came on 21 minutes: Spence’s tidy control teed up Graham, who’s shot went agonisingly wide when clean through. The collective groan was heard across the Forth and into Fife!

There was comedy too—at one point the referee became the most involved player on the pitch, repeatedly struck by ricochets as if magnetised to the ball. But the half ended level, Saints having played some nice football yet unable to find a second goal. Bo’Ness had their moments too, but Margetts and his defence stood firm.

HT: 1–1

Thomson, outstanding in the first half, was forced off at the interval—Maskrey replacing him—but the early stages of the second period were scrappy, marked more by shouts at the referee than goalmouth action.

Then, on 65 minutes, came a moment of slapstick brilliance. Spence chased down the Bo’Ness keeper, whose attempted clearance smacked off the striker and spun back into the net. Saints led 1–2, and the away fans erupted in disbelief and joy.

Barely a minute later Saints nearly added a third when Maskrey threaded Spence through, but his attempted chip drifted over. From there, the match tilted dramatically. Wave after wave of Bo’Ness attacks surged forward. Saints escaped on 70 minutes when a home forward fired straight at Gillan, and the hosts headed wide shortly after.

With Saints pinned back, changes were made—Lumsden, Clapperton, and Dunn arriving to shore things up—but Bo’Ness continued to knock loudly on the door. Margetts produced a string of superb saves: one on 81 minutes, another moments later amid claims that the ball had crossed the line, and two more in rapid succession as the clock ticked towards 90.

Inevitably, the pressure told. From a corner deep into stoppage time, a chaotic scramble resulted in the referee pointing to the spot. Bo’Ness calmly converted to level at 2–2.

Just when a draw seemed the only possible outcome, Saints launched one final break. A quick ball forward sent super-sub David Maskrey racing through—maybe a toenail offside, maybe not, but the flag stayed down. Faced with the onrushing keeper, he rounded him coolly and slotted into the gaping net.

Delirium. Absolute, unfiltered delirium among the small but mighty travelling Saints contingent. Scenes reminiscent of Tuesday night but in miniature!

Minutes later, the whistle blew 🙂

FT: Bo’Ness Athletic 2–3 St Andrews United

Final Thoughts

Saints will know they were forced to defend for long stretches—particularly in a frantic final half hour—and Bo’Ness will rightly feel stung not to have taken something from the match. But football rewards resilience as much as artistry, and St Andrews Utd showed both.

A classy first-half goal from Milne, moments of slick interplay, a slice of slapstick fortune, and one heroic late finish combined for a victory that was as entertaining as it was crucial. Thomson was superb before his unfortunate injury, while Margetts produced saves of immense importance.

But the decisive moment belonged to Maskrey: the super-sub once again, the match-winner, the hero of a remarkable week in Scottish football.

Man of the Match – Greig Spence (sponsored by Life Sport Travel)