Rose knocked out of Scottish Juniors Cup by arch rivals Bo’ness

Oct 13 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

Bo’ness United 2, Linlithgow Rose 2

LINLITHGOW ROSE boss David Baikie admits Bo’ness’s deflected winner was a real “kick in the teeth” as his side made an early Emirates Scottish Juniors Cup exit at the weekend.

Bo’ness snatched the 2-1 win when Stewart Devine’s dubious free kick hit off the wall and into the net leaving the Rose players stunned.

John Stewart opened the scoring for the home side on 36 minutes – maintaining his great goalscoring form by firing his ninth goal in just six games for the East Superleague champions.

Ian Nimmo’s long ball fell to Nicky Walker who played in Stewart who slotted home the tap-in.

Rose, however, fought back strongly and grabbed an equaliser when Mark Tyrrell’s free-kick was headed home by Tommy Coyne.

Then came the game’s main controversy.

Bo’ness were handed a dubious free-kick 25 yards out which was hotly disputed by the Rose players and management.

And it was to be a costly decision as Stewart Devine’s effort deflected off Walker, wrong-footed keeper David Hay and sailed into the net.

The hotly contested derby saw whistler Andrew Dallas flash ELEVEN yellows before things boiled over, leading to two straight reds.

Rose's Phil Hagan and Jay Shields of Bo'ness squared up and were both sent packing after Shields shoved Hagan to the floor. The ref showed both players red cards.

But with both sides down to 10-men there were to be no more goals and Bo’ness scraped through to progress to the second round of the cup.

However, Baikie reckons his side’s slow start against their arch rivals cost them dearly.

Baikie said after the match: “We just didn’t get off the blocks quickly enough.

“They deserved to be ahead at half time and it wasn’t until after the interval that we really got started.

“That aspect of the match was disappointing.

“I felt the free kick that led to the goal was a poor decision, and our players felt the same way.

“It was a kick in the teeth to go out like that.

“I felt we were the better side in the second half.”

Bo’ness will now take on Lewis United.

Rose will look to put last weekend’s bitter disappointment behind them when they meet Newtongrange Star in the League Cup final this weekend.

Current holders Lithgae have made it to the final of the cup in each of the three seasons Baikie has been in charge.

And the Rose boss wants a trophy to help ease the Bo’ness blues.

He said: “We need to put that disappointment behind us and focus on the game ahead.

“We have a good record in the competition and it’s always good to get some early silverware.”

Kick off at Broxburn Athletic’s Albyn Park is 2.30pm.