Stranraer v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Attendance 701

Broxburn Athletic–Watt (GK), Rodden, G Page ©, J Page, Bell, Wardell, Jones, Brass, McLeod Kay, McRory Irving

SUBS- Pettigrew, Downie, Mwangi, Thomson, Ellis, Russell, Millar & Locke.

On Saturday, it was the big one, as Broxburn Athletic travelled to Stair Park to take on Stranraer FC, in the Scottish Cup Third Round.

Stranraer currently lie in eight position in Scottish League Two. They have won three, drew three and lost seven of their thirteen games so far this season. The new management team of brothers Chris Aitken and Steve Aitken took over from departing boss Scott Agnew in September. Stranraer progressed to this stage of the Scottish cup with a 3-2 away win to local rivals Threave Rovers. Stranraer came from two goals down to win the game with goals coming from Dylan Cairnie, Ross Irving and Ryan Edgar. Players to watch include ex Falkirk keeper Robbie Mutch, ex Greenock Morton left back Mark Russell, ex Kilmarnock youth player Dean Hawkshaw and striker Ryan Edgar.

How The Teams Made It This Far

STRANRAER FC

Round 2- (A) Threave Rovers- 2-3 

BROXBURN ATHLETIC

Round 1- (A) Dalkeith Thistle- 0-4

Round 2- (A) Auchinleck Talbot- 0-1

Stranraer FC’s Last Four Games

(25/10/24) Threave Rovers (A) 2-3 (W)

(2/11/24) Elgin City (A) 1-0 (L)

(9/11/24) East Fife (A) 1-2 (W)

(16/11/24) Bonnyrigg Rose (H) 1-2 (L)

Stranraer are in blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks. Broxburn Athletic are in their traditional kits, red and white shirts, white shorts and red and white socks. Broxburn make one change from the team that lost 1-0 to Hearts B in league action last Friday. In comes Gary Brass for Errol Douglas.

The hosts were first to threaten in the first minute. Russell picked up a loose ball and his shot was saved by Broxburn keeper Bob Watt. On the 7^th minute, a shot by Stranraer’s Hawkshaw was well blocked by stand in skipper Greg Page who conceded a corner. On the 12^th minute, a volley by Stranraer’s Gallacher was way over the bar for the hosts.

Unfortunately, Broxburn Athletic defender Andy Rodden picked up an injury and couldn’t continue.

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (14 Minutes)

ON-Marcus Millar

OFF-Andy Rodden

Stranraer had a huge chance to take the lead. A cross from Cummins finds Ross whose effort hits the bar for the hosts.

On 20 minutes, Gary Brass nod on from a long ball finds Fionn McLeod Kay whose shot deflected for a corner.

GOAL! Broxburn take the lead! A long free kick into the box by Scott McRory Irving finds veteran defender Jonathan Page who gets his head to the ball before Stranraer keeper Pazikas who came of his line. His header finds the empty net to give Broxburn first blood.

STRANRAER 0

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 (Jonathan Page-32 Minutes)

On 35 minutes, Owen Wardell beats the Stranraer right back before delivering a dangerous cross into the box that evades everyone.

First in the referee’s book is Stranraer’s Cummins for a foul on 37 minutes. He was followed by Broxburn’s Joe Smith who was late on Stranraer’s Ecrepont.

HALF TIME (1-0 Broxburn)

Stranraer are first to threaten in the second half. On 51 minutes, a cross by Grant (with assist from the wind) kisses the bar before going out for a throw in.

On 66 minutes, a Scott McRory Irving free kick has too much on it and goes over for a free kick to the hosts.

Stranraer are dominating possession and looking dangerous as they push for an equaliser. On 78 minutes, a cross by Robertson on the right finds Lang, whose deflected effort is just wide of the left-hand post.

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (76 Minutes)

ON-Bryan Mwangi

OFF-Fionn McLeod Kay

On 79 minutes, a Stranraer short corner is eventually whipped in and punched clear by Bob Watt. The clearances comes out to Dunlop whose shot from outside the box is wide of the right hand post.

GOAL! It’s all square at Stair Park.  Gallacher finds Dunlop who takes a touch inside and his shot finds the bottom right corner.

STRANRAER 1 (Dunlop-81 Minutes)

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1

Good play by Stranraer winger Grant. He turns Bryan Mwangi inside out and his cross finds Robertson who gets some contact on the ball, but it’s grabbed by Broxburn keeper Bob Watt.

We go to extra time….

FULL TIME (1-1)

EXTRA TIME FIRST HALF

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (93 MINUTES)

ON-Nick Locke

OFF-Alassan Jones

Chance for Broxburn on 94 minutes. Nick Locke is fed through by Scott McRory Irving and a unbelievable bit of skill gets him away from the Stranraer defender. His shot is over the bar for the visitors.

GOAL! Its 2-1 Broxburn! A dangerous Owen Wardell cross from the left is cleared as far as Kyle Bell. The Broxburn midfielder’s ball into the box finds Nick Locke who is unmarked and heads home to the delight of the visiting Broxburn support.

STRANRAER 1

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 2 (Nick Locke- 97 Minutes)

Unbelievable energy from Joesph Smith so late in the game. From right back he picks up and drives forward 30-40 yards on the 100^th minute.

On 103 Minutes, a Gary Brass shot is over the bar for Broxburn.

EXTRA TIME SECOND HALF

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (105 Minutes)

ON-Darren Downie

OFF-Gary Brass

Chance for Stranraer on 108 minutes. A shot by McKnight is saved by Broxburn keeper Bob Watt. On 111 minutes, McKnight puts another effort wide of target.

Darren Downie is booked on 116 minutes for a foul

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (117 Minutes)

ON-Ruari Ellis

OFF-Marcus Miller

Bryan Mwangi is also booked for a pull just as Stranraer were breaking forward.

What a day for the team. Every player on the park deserves credit for the effort and fight put in. Also, the support in the stand was unbelievable from start to finish! 

FULL TIME

Stranraer FC 1

Broxburn Athletic 2 (J Page, Locke)

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE- Sean Murdoch

ASSISTANTS- Cameron Telfer and Scott Bunting

Stranraer FC – Pazikas (GK), Robertson, Cummins, Ross, Gallacher ©, Russell, Hawkshaw, Guthrie, Ecrepont, Grant, Lang

Subs- Gibson (GK), Brindley, McQueen, Adam, Dunlop, McKnight & Edgar

NEXT GAME

Tuesday the 3^rd of December

East of Scotland Qualifying Cup 3^rd Round

Jeanfield Swifts

Albyn Park

19.45PM