Classic Matches from the past

BONESS UNITED 2-3 LINLITHGOW ROSE

NEWTON PARK 10th MAY 1997
Games dont come any more classic than this one. Linlithgow led the league
by 2 points from Boness and both teams had two games to play this one
and then Boness at home to a bottom club and the Rose at home to Camelon.
Linlithgow knew if they could win the title was thiers but defeat meant
that arch rivals Boness would be in the driving seat so it was a highly
charged atmosphere inside a packed Newton Park.
Linlithgow had the better of the early play with young striker Ian McMurray
giving the Boness defence a torrid time. Boness gradually hauled themselves
back into the game with ex Celtic man Dannie Crainie the main tormentor.
On the Half hour it was the BU`S who went in front with a neat move involving
Scott and Cully which ended in the later firing in the opener.

HALF TIME Boness 1-0 Linlithgow

The second half again started with Linlithgow on top and good chances fell
to Whyte and Fowler but both went a begging. When linlithgow sent on fans
favourite Derek"Grinder"Halcrow shortly into the second half none of could have
expected the impact he would have later in the game.
Against the run of play Boness scored a shock second and things were looking
grim for the Rose fans, so much so that a good few headed for the exits beleiving
that the league dream had slipped away for another year. Oh thee of little faith.
The Rose sent on ex Aberdeen And Rangers Man Dougie Bell for youngster Boyack
and instantly Linlithgow took control but time was running out and when in the
87th minute some good play by McMurray on the wing found Halcrow in the box he
smashed it home. Surely though this was just a consolation.
Boness Kicked off and instantly gave away possesion to Rose Veteran Fowler who
was now in full flow on the left wing and was giving it his all he hit the byline
and sent in a peach of a cross which had the Boness defence in dissaray
Ian McMurray moved in to head it home but was beaten to it by John Strain who could
only head it into the roof of his own net(Shame Eh!).
This sent the Linlithgow fans who had stayed until the bitter end into a frenzy knowing
that only a draw was needed in the final game to win the league as to the Rose`s better
goal difference. But it was not over yet the Boness players were in a state of shock and
were giving the ball away regularly but with the 90 minutes up
a draw looked like the final result.
Enter Derek Halcrow with Fowler again skinning the Boness defence he crossed into the box
and with the Boness players posted missing "Grinder" Headed home the winner the scenes had
to be seen to be believed the fans were on the park the Players in the terraces.
the game barely kicked off again and it was all over Linlithgow had won the league for
the first time in nine long years they had won it at thier arch rivals ground and had come
from 2-0 down with three minutes to go what more can you ask?

LINLITHGOW ROSE McPherson,Todd,Gibson,Godfrey,Fowler,Whyte,Robertson,Allison,Boyack,
McMurray and Logan Subs-Bell,Mitchell,Cairns,McLaren and that man Halcrow