Workmates fight it out for the title

“We’ve been too busy,” insisted Ronald as he prepared his Bo’ness side to take on Bradley’s Linlithgow in a mouth- watering match at Prestonfield.

It’s Linlithgow’s final league game of the season and they are currently nine points ahead of their West Lothian rivals.

But Bo’ness have six games in hand, one more than Bonnyrigg while Hill of Beath are also still in the hunt heading into the final straight.

“The fact it’s Linlithgow’s last game is irrelevant as they would want to beat Bo’ness even if it was the first game of the season,” added Ronald. “But there’s no doubt they will be keen to pick up the three points to make it more difficult for the chasing pack.”

Bo’ness came out on top when the sides met in the Scottish Cup in the first half of the season before sharing the spoils in Bradley’s first game in charge. “I wouldn’t say I was surprised by the rivarly between the two teams but what did surprise me was the quantity of the supports,” noted the Bo’ness boss.

Bradley, who works alongside Ronald at Survitec Limited is looking for his side to finish the league campaign on a high and set them up for a forthcoming Cup quarter-final clash against either Livingston or Arniston.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better game for our last league match,” he said. “The title race is out of our hands and it’s going to take a total collapse by the teams chasing us for us to come out on top. But we’ve still got a Cup to play for and it is important for us to keep our run going heading into that.”

While Bo’ness are at full strength, Roddy MacLennan is out injured for Lithgae and Stephen Manson is also unavailable. “I thought we should have beaten Bo’ness in my first official game in charge and we’ll certainly be fired up for this one,” added the former Hearts midfielder.

In tomorrow’s other top-flight games, second-placed Hill of Beath entertain Kelty in a Fifer derby, managerless Bathgate are at home to Carnoustie and Camelon host St Andrews.