BROXBURN ATHLETIC V CIVIL SERVICE STROLLERS

Report

Attendance 252

Broxburn Athletic– Watt (GK), Rodden, G Page, J Page, Bell, Wardell, Jones, Douglas, Brass, McRory-Irving, Locke ©

SUBS- Pettigrew (GK), Morris, Downie, Mwangi, Turner, Thomson, McLeod-Kay.

Broxburn Athletic returned to Albyn Park on Saturday for the visit of Edinburgh side Civil Service Strollers in the Lowland League.
Going into this game, Civil Service Strollers lie in 11th position, winning four, drawing two and losing seven so far. The Muirhouse based side are managed by ex-Edinburgh City manager Gary Jardine. The Assistant Manager/ Captain is journeyman midfielder Marc Laird. Top scorer for Strollers this term is Mackie Scott with four goals. In the clubs last match, they defeated Cumbernauld Colts 4-1 last Wednesday away at Broadwood in Lowland League action. Scorers for Strollers on the day were Mackie Scott with a double and Tom Findlay and skipper Marc Laird also getting in on the scoresheet.Civil Service Strollers last 4 Games

(1/10/24) Albion Rovers (A) 2-1 (L)

(5/10/24) Gala Fairydean (H) 4-2 (W)

(12/10/24) Dalry Thistle (A) 0-3

(16/10/24) Cumbernauld Colts (A) 1-4 (W)

Broxburn are in their traditional home kits. Red and white shirts, white shorts and red and white socks. Visitors Civil Service Strollers are in all navy-blue kits. Steve Pitman makes one change from the Broxburn side who drew away at Bo’ness United last Wednesday night. In comes Gary Brass for Bryan Mwangi.
First to threaten are Broxburn on two minutes. Gary Brass shot is wide of the target,
Up the other end and Strollers create their first chance of the match. A shot by Ewan McLeod is wide of the left-hand post.
A long ball forward by Bob Watt is headed on by Errol Douglas and finds Gary Brass wide left in space. His cross deflects for a corner. The resulting corner is defended well by the Muirhouse side. On 14 minutes, captain Nick Locke drives down the right flank and plays a good ball through to Owen Wardell. The Broxburn winger delivers a deep cross that finds Alassan Jones. Jones takes a good touch too set himself up, but his shot is well blocked by Strollers defender Josh McCulloch and Strollers clear their lines.
Broxburn defender Jonathan Page, who was down earlier and came back on, has to be replaced with just fifteen minutes played.
SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN ATHLETIC (15 Minutes)
ON-Lewis Turner
OFF-Jonathan Page

On 19 minutes, Broxburn keeper Bob Watt sends a long ball that finds Errol Douglas. The big man is fouled just outside the D and the referee awards a free kick to the home side. Up steps captain Nick Locke, whose free kick is pushed away by Strollers keeper Freddie Owens.
First in the referee’s book is Broxburn’s Alassan Jones for a foul on Callum Yeats on 23 minutes.
On the 28th minute, Errol Douglas is in from a long ball. But his shot is way over the bar.
Civil Service have dominated possession so far without creating many chances. Broxburn haven’t got going yet.
GOAL! Strollers get their reward on 40 minutes. A good move down the left finds Callum Yeats whose cross over finds Alieu Faye who scores at the back post
BROXBURN ATHLETIC 0
CIVIL SERVICE STROLLERS 1 (Faye-40 Minutes)

On 41 minutes, Gary Brass latches on to a long ball behimd the Strollers defence. He can’t get any power on the shot is caught by keeper Freddie Owens. Bang on the 45-minute mark, Errol Douglas has the ball in the back of the net but he is ruled offside by the stand side linesman.

HALF TIME (1-0 Strollers)

On 46 minutes, Lewis Turner is free wide right. His cross deflects into the air and is eventually caught by Strollers goalie Owens.
GOAL! Strollers have a second. Alieu Faye plays in Tom Findlay who slots his effort into the left corner
BROXBURN ATHLETIC 0
CIVIL SERVICE STROLLERS 2 (Findlay-49 Minutes)
On 51 minutes, Scott McRory-Irving is booked for a foul. On 57 minutes, a great ball over the park by Greg Page finds Lewis Turner. Turner’s shot/cross is way over the bar. On 58 minutes Kyle Bell is also booked from the card happy referee for a very soft foul.
On 62 minutes, Greg Page plays another great long ball forward to the feet of Alassan Jones. Jones crosses and its miss-kicked by both Brass then Douglas and eventually rolls out for a Strollers goal kick.
TRIPLE BROXBURN SUBSTITUTION (62 Minutes)
ON-Luke Morris, Bryan Mwangi & Conor Thomson
OFF-Kyle Bell, Scott McRory Irving & Alassan Jones
Referee Duffy books Broxburn coach Derek McWilliams for something said from the Broxburn technical area.
Broxburn look to have a huge shout for a penalty on 70 minutes, the ball looks to hit the hand of a Strollers player in the box. But referee Duffy is not interested. Broxburn’s Lewis Turner is booked for his protests.
Chance for the visitors on 73 minutes. Shot by Alieu Faye is well saved by Broxburn keeper Bob Watt.
BROXBURN SUBSTITUTION (74 Minutes)
ON-Finn McLeod Kay
OFF-Owen Wardell
On 77 minutes, Gary Brass scores but its ruled offside. Looked on from our viewpoint.
Next in the referee’s book is Strollers keeper Freddie Owens for time wasting on 79 minutes.
Another huge chance for Broxburn. Luke Morris gets to the byline on the right and delivers a good cross that finds Gary Brass. From close range Brass heads over the bar.

Referee Duffy books Strollers gaffer Gary Jardine for leaving his technical area on 89 minutes.
Another harsh decision by referee Duffy on 90 minutes. Greg Page has the ball in the net from a header, but it’s chopped of for a foul on the keeper. Shocking decision!
GOAL! Broxburn score! A great volley by Errol Douglas into the right corner for his 20th goal of the season.
BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 (Errol Douglas-95 Minutes)
CIVIL SERVICE STROLLERS 2
On 98 minutes, a deep Lewis Turner cross is headed wide by Errol Douglas.
It ended 2-1 to the visitors who deserved the three points. If we get one of the 3 big decisions the referee got wrong, it gives us a big boost with time left. But no excuses, we weren’t good enough on the day. Now for a good week training in preparation for the Scottish Cup second round away tie away to Auchinleck Talbot next Saturday.

FULL TIME
Broxburn Athletic 1(Douglas)
Civil Service Strollers 2

MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE- James Duffy
ASSISTANTS- Daniel McGuire & Jason Crocker

Bo’ness United – Owens (GK), McCulloch, Clarke, Shaw, Bone, McLeod, Findlay, Laird ©, Smith, Faye, Yeats
Subs- Wilkinson (GK), Aluko, Valentine, Kazoka, Vata, Scott, Laing

NEXT GAME
Saturday the 26th of October
Scottish Cup Second Round
Auchinleck Talbot (Away)
Beechwood Park
3PM