BROXBURN ATHLETIC V TRANENT

Report

Attendance 295

Broxburn Athletic–Watt (GK), Munro, G Page, Bell, Wardell, Downie, Mwangi, Ellis, McRory-Irving, Millar, Locke ©.

SUBS- Rodden, Smith, Turner, Thomson, MacDonald.

We returned to league action after the Christmas period, with a home fixture against Tranent Juniors at Albyn Park on Saturday.
Tranent currently lie in third position, only a point of second Celtic B with two games in hand and three points off leaders East Kilbride. The club have won twelve, drawn six and lost three of their twenty-one fixtures so far this season.
The last meeting between the two sides was on Tuesday the 27th of February 2024 in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup Quarter Final. An injury time Nick Locke strike put Broxburn into the semi final with a 1-0 win on the night.
Players to watch for the hosts on Saturday include, ex Hibernian and Edinburgh City winger Danny Handling, left back Adam McGowan, right back Euan Bauld and striker Harry Girdwood. The club is managed by ex-Hearts youth player Jonny Stewart who is assisted by Steven Hislop
In the clubs last fixture, Tranent defeated Caledonian Braves at Foresters Park last Saturday in the Lowland League. Scorers for Tranent were Harry Girdwood and Ben Miller.

Tranent’s Last Four Games(7/12/24) Albion Rovers (A) 2-2 (D)

(10/12/24) Bo’ness United (A) 1-2 (W)

(14/12/24) Celtic B (H) 0-0 (D)

(21/12/24) Caledonian Braves (H) 2-1 (W)

Broxburn Athletic are in their traditional home kits. Red and white shirts, white shorts and red and white socks. Tranent are in all blue kits. Broxburn make one change from the team that defeated Whitburn 1-0 in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup fourth round last Saturday. In comes Lewis Turner to replace Darren Downie.

Tranent create the first chance of the match on 8 minutes. Dean Brett finds Joe Viola on the left whose shot is saved by Bob Watt.

On 9 minutes, a Marcus Miller cross finds Owen Wardell, whose shot is saved by Tranent keeper Kelby Mason.

To the amusement of most of the supporters in attendance, on 17 minutes we have a stoppage in play as a dog got on the park next to the stand.

On 20 minutes, Tranent’s Scott Gray latches on to a long ball in behind the Broxburn defence. His shot is saved by Bob Watt.

Tranent have another chance on 25 minutes. An initial shot by Dean Brett is parried and, on the rebound, Brett’s shot is blocked by Greg Page.

GOAL! Tranent take the lead! From a corner, Broxburn clear as far as Joe Viola wide left. His cross finds Danny Handling and the ex-Hibernian midfielders shot is flicked home by Harry Girdwood for the opening goal of the game.

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 0
TRANENT 1 (Girdwood-27 Minutes)

On 28 minutes, a shot by Danny Handling is saved by Bob Watt as Tranent push for a second before the half time break.

First booking of the game comes on 42 minutes. Marcus Miller is booked for a pull on Joe Viola.

On 43 minutes, Tranent have a dangerous free kick. Euan Greig takes and finds Danny Handling whose header is saved by Broxburn keeper Bob Watt.

Next in the book is Tranent’s Harry Girdwood for a foul on Bryan Mwangi on the touchline on 45 minutes.

On 46 minutes, a Lewis Turner shot is over the bar.

Deep in injury time Broxburn have a corner. The corner is fizzed in by Owen Wardell and Tranent keeper Kelby Mason palms it over the bar for another Broxburn corner. Tranent defend the resulting corner to take them to the half time break.

HALF TIME (1-0 Tranent)

Broxburn start the better of the two teams in the second half. The first chance of the half comes on 46 minutes. Kyle Bell plays in Owen Wardell who drags his shot wide of target. On 47 minutes, Marky Munro has space high up the right flank. He delivers a good cross that is missed by two Broxburn players. On 49 minutes, Owen Wardell is close with a shot that is narrowly wide of the left-hand post. Wardell comes close again on 51minutes. His fizzed shot from the right is cleared of the line by Robbie McIntyre.

GOAL! Broxburn equalise! Bryan Mwangi is running at pace down the left. He picks out Kyle Bell with a good pass, Belly takes a great first touch before scoring with a powerful effort, low into the left corner.

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 (Kyle Bell-52 Minutes)
TRANENT 1

Chance for Tranent on 58 minutes. Joe Viola’s shot from the left is narrowly wide of target. Next in the referee’s book is Rauri Ellis for a challenge on Joe Viola outside the box. On the hour mark, Kyle Bell comes close for the hosts with a low drive that is narrowly wide. Great play by Nick Locke. He picks up, takes on the Tranent defender before finding Bryan Mwangi. Mwangi’s shot is over the bar.

GOAL! Broxburn take the lead. Good pressing from Bryan Mwangi who intercepts the Tranent centre half. Mwangi cuts it over for skipper Nick Locke who scores a tap in from close range to give the badgers the lead.

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 2 (Nick Locke-70 Minutes)
TRANENT 1

Next in the referee’s book is Tranent substitute Guy McGarry for simulation in the box on 73 minutes. McGarry has a chance to equalise on 76 minutes. His shot is saved by Broxburn keeper Bob Watt.

We have a stoppage in play on 77 minutes. Ben Miller & Dean Brett are booked after an altercation with a fan.

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (82 Minutes)
ON-Adam McDonald
OFF-Lewis Turner

On 84 minutes, Owen Wardell delivers a deep cross that finds Nick Locke whose glancing header looks to be going wide, but Bryan Mwangi keeps the ball in on the left. He finds Nick Locke in space and his shot is blocked by McIntyre.

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (90 Minutes)
ON- Jonathan Page
OFF- Nick Locke

Tranent throw everything at an equaliser. They have a shot cleared of the line by Greg Page in the dying seconds. But Broxburn hang on to a huge three points and end 2024 with a victory. Nick Locke, Kyle Bell, Greg Page and Bryan Mwangi were all outstanding today. And a mention for Marky Munro who is starting to find his fitness. Had a good game at right back for Broxburn today.

See you all down at Tranent next Saturday. Have a Happy New Year when it comes. Mon The Badgers

FULL TIME
Broxburn Athletic 2 (Bell, Locke)
Tranent 1

MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE- Ross Birrell
ASSISTANTS- Ewan Pow & Lauchlan Dougall

Tranent – Mason (GK), Brett, McIntyre, Bauld, Stirling, Greig, Gordon, Viola, S Gray, Handling & Girdwood
Subs- Beveridge (GK), Hutchings, Stewart, Doan, Miller & McGarry.

NEXT GAME
Saturday the 4th of January 2025
Lowland League
Tranent (Away)
Foresters Park
3PM