Caledonian Braves v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Attendance 120

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

SUBS- Pettigrew (GK), Thomson, Downie, Kangni-Soukpe, Russell, McLeod-Kay & Mwangi

Broxburn returned to league action on Tuesday night with an away tie to league leaders Caledonian Braves at Alliance Park.

Caledonian Braves are the early pace setters in the Lowland league. They sit top of the table undefeated, winning seven and drawing three. The clubs top goal scorer is Ross McNeil. They are managed by ex-Falkirk and Partick Thistle midfielder Ricky Waddell. In the clubs last fixture, they defeated University of Stirling in the Scottish Cup first round 2-0 last Saturday at Forthbank stadium. Both goals were scored by Ross McNeil. The club drew Musselburgh Athletic in the Scottish Cup third round.

Caledonian Braves Last 4 Games

(7/9/24) Gretna 2008 (H) 0-0 (D)

(14/9/24) Rossvale (H) 2-0 (W)

(21/9/24) East Kilbride (A) 0-2 (W)

(28/9/24) University of Stirling (A) 0-2 (W)

Caledonian Braves are in all white strips. Broxburn are in their changed, all navy strips.  Broxburn make two changes to the side who defeated Dalkeith Thistle in the Scottish Cup 1^st round last Friday night 4-0. In comes Gary Brass and Luke Morris who replace Alassan Jones and Lewis Turner.

Caledonian Braves make a lightning start to the game. They are in total control of possession.

GOAL! They get their reward on the 7^th minute. A flick on finds Ross McNeil who heads home from close range.

CALEDONIAN BRAVES 1 (McNeil-6 Minutes)

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 0

Braves come flying forward again on 11 minutes. Their captain Guthrie is fouled on the build up and referee Ashwood plays the advantage. It’s worked to McLaren whose shot is saved by Bob Watt.

Broxburn come forward for the first time in the match on 12 minutes. Owen Wardell delivery from the left is well read by Braves Keeper White who catches the cross. On 17 minutes, Andy Rodden is fouled and Broxburn have a dangerous free kick. Up steps Rodden whose effort hits the wall, and the deflection is collected by Braves keeper White.

On 19 minutes, a shot by Speirs for Caledonian Braves is way over the bar.

On 29 minutes, Owen Wardell delivers a great cross from the left that is cleared by Braves defender Martins, who just get to the ball before Gary Brass.

Big chance for Caledonian Braves on 31 minutes. McLaren beats the offside trap, and his shot is saved well by Bob Watt,

GOAL! Broxburn equalise! Greg Page long ball finds captain Nick Locke. Locke takes on two Braves defender before slotting it into the right corner, leaving Braves keeper Whyte no chance.

CALEDONIAN BRAVES 1

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 (Nick Locke-34 Minutes)

On 38 minutes, Bob Watt gets a talking too by the referee for his protests about the floodlights. Very bad lighting round the stadium! Really poor for this standard of football.

On 40 minutes, Errol Douglas nods on a long ball. Braves keeper Whyte comes for the ball and collects just before Gary Brass.

First booking of the match comes on 42 minutes. Jonathan Page is booked for a foul on the edge of the box. A dangerous free kick is taken by Murray and his effort is well saved down low by Bob Watt.

HALF TIME (1-1)

On 48 minutes, Broxburn look more in the mood. Owen Wardell takes on the Braves left back before delivering a great, teasing cross over with no takers. On 49 minutes, another whipped cross in from Andy Rodden is just over the bar.

On 57 minutes, Mclaren is booked for a pull-on Owen Wardell. Andy Rodden takes the resulting free kick, and his effort is over the bar.

Big chance for Broxburn to take the lead on 73 minutes.  Errol Douglas shot is saved by Braves keeper Whyte. The rebound falls too Brass, whose shot is blocked of the line via the bar by Braves defender Jack Brown. On 74 minutes, Owen Wardell’s shot is saved by Whyte. On 79 minutes, Broxburn have another huge chance to take the lead. Owen Wardell’s cross finds Errol Douglas who heads just wide of the right-hand post.

Next in the referee’s book is Greg Page for a foul on 83 minutes.

A good point on the road that I felt we edged against the current league leaders. We now look to get back to winning ways against East Stirlingshire on Saturday.

FULL TIME

Caledonian Braves 1

Broxburn Athletic 1 (Nick Locke)

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE- Mr Ashwood

ASSISTANTS- Mr Haswell & Mr Andrews

Caledonian Braves – Whyte (GK), Brown, Martins, McDowall, R Stewart, Guthrie ©, Gkeka, Murray, Spiers, R Mclaren, McNeil

Subs- C McLaren, Breadner, Clocherty, Gemmell, Walker, McCarthur & King (GK)

NEXT GAME

Lowland League

East Stirlingshire (H)

Saturday the 5^th of October

Albyn Park

3pm