League: East of Scotland Qualifying League
Cameron Graham
Steven Clark
Stephane Murray
Samuel Watson
Sean Brown
Whitburn v Broxburn Athletic
ATTENDANCE 196
Broxburn Athletic–Watt (GK), Munro, G Page, Bell, Wardell, Downie, Mwangi, Ellis, McRory-Irving, Millar, Locke ©.
SUBS- Rodden, Smith, Turner, Thomson, MacDonald. King .
It was another Saturday cup away trip for Broxburn. This time against Whitburn at Central Park in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup 4th Round.
Whitburn currently lie in fifth position in the East of Scotland Premier Division. Winning seven, drawing three and losing five of their fifteen fixtures so far.
The last meeting between the two sides was on Saturday the 16th of September 2023, in the Challenge Cup Second Round. The game went all the way to penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time. Broxburn won on penalties 4-2. Scorers for Broxburn that day were Nick Locke and Errol Douglas, while Darren Liddell and Mick McGarahan scored for Whitburn.
Players to watch for the hosts on Saturday include, Defender Sammy Watson, attacking midfielder Callum Hambrook and recent Broxburn midfielder Callum Bremner, who as we are all aware of the player Callum is after a very successful season at the Badgers last term.
In the clubs last fixture, Whitburn lost to East of Scotland Premier League pace setters Musselburgh Athletic, 3-2 at home last Saturday. Scorers for Whitburn were Cammy Graham and Ross Crawford.
Whitburn’s Last Four Games
(2/11/24) Haddington Athletic (H) 1-1 (D)
(9/11/24) Dundonald Bluebell (A) 4-2 (L)
(1/12/24) Kirkcaldy & Dysart (N) 1-0 (W)
(14/12/24) Musselburgh Athletic (H) 2-3 (L)
Whitburn are in Claret and Amber strips with claret shorts and socks. Broxburn are in all Navy Blue strips. Broxburn Athletic make two changes from the side that defeated East Stirlingshire 6-1 away in the league last weekend. In comes Darren Downie & Bob Watt who replace Jordan Pettigrew & Gary Brass.
After passing an earlier pitch inspection, this game was in doubt an hour before kick-off. The heavy rain was really affecting the pitch, and you could see it cutting up in the warmup. Referee Andrew Craven decided it was game on.
Broxburn are first to threaten in the 1st minute. A deep cross by Nick Locke is well read by Whitburn keeper Sean Brown, who comes off his line to collect.
Whitburn have a half chance on the 8th minute. A good delivery from Cammy Graham is just beyond onrushing Darren Liddell at the back post.
First booking of the match comes on 15 minutes for Kyle Bell for a pull-on Whitburn’s Steve Clark who is getting away from him.
On 29 minutes, Owen Wardell delivers a teasing cross that is just behind Bryan Mwangi who was sliding in at the back post.
On 31 minutes, Whitburn have the ball in the back of the net. Ross Crawford plays in Cammy Graham who chipped Bob Watt. But Crawford is ruled offside. Lovely finish from Graham who showed great technique. On the 33rd minute, Ross Crawford does well for Whitburn. He collects the ball and holds up play before finding Cammy Graham wide left. But the Whitburn 11 falls over and gifts Broxburn a throw in.
GOAL! Broxburn take the lead! Nick Locke plays in Bryan Mwangi who is in a footrace with ex Badger Andy Gillen. Whitburn keeper Sean Brown comes out and totally misses the ball, leaving Bryan Mwangi with an open goal, he scores! 1-0 Broxburn.
WHITBURN 0
BROXBURN ATHLETIC (Bryan Mwangi-36 Minutes)
Next in the referee’s book is Whitburn’s Andy Gillen for a foul on Bryan Mwangi just outside the box. Nick Locke’s resulting free kick is parried away by Whitburn keeper Sean Brown and Whitburn eventually clear their lines.
On 41 minutes, Bryan Mwangi latches on to a loose ball in the box. He turns the Whitburn defender inside out and his shot is blocked by Whitburn defender Steph Murray.
On 43 minutes, a shot by Ross Crawford is saved down low by Bob Watt.
HALF TIME (1-0 Broxburn)
The players return to the park during a huge downpour. The referee decides after 5 minutes to take the players back into the changing room. So, we have a 5-minute delay.
On 55 minutes, an Owen Wardell cross from the right has Whitburn keeper Sean Brown scrambling as his effort hits the bar.
On 56 minutes, Marcus Miller is booked for a foul on Cammy Graham.
On 59 minutes, Darren Downie plays in Bryan Mwangi. The winger takes on the Whitburn full back and his cross is diverted for a corner. The resulting corner finds Greg Page who heads over the bar.
SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (69 Minutes)
ON-Joseph Smith
OFF-Marky Munro
On 73 minutes, Darren Downie plays in Scott McRory Irving whose shot is saved by Whitburn keeper Sean Brown.
On 81 minutes, a long ball finds Owen Wardell in on the left. He uses his pace to get away from the right back and his shot is saved by the outstretched Whitburn keeper Sean Brown.
DOUBLE BROXBURN SUBSTITUTION (82 Minutes)
ON- Lewis Turner & Andy Rodden
OFF-Bryan Mwangi & Darren Downie
Greg Page is booked on 83 minutes for a foul and is followed by Whitburn substitute Ali Croall who is booked for a foul on Owen Wardell on 86 minutes. From the resulting free kick. Andy Rodden’s whipped ball in has too much on it.
On 93 minutes, from a Whitburn corner, Broxburn only clear as far as Cammy Graham whose effort is saved by Bob Watt.
Broxburn progressed to the Quarter Finals of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup. It will be Thornton Hibs at home next. Fair play to the boys today, they rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in against a good team, in very tricky conditions.
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and see you all at Albyn Park for Tranent next Saturday.
FULL TIME
Whitburn 0
Broxburn Athletic 1 (Mwangi)
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE- Andrew Craven
ASSISTANTS- Richard MacCartney & Andrew Strang
Whitburn – Brown (GK), Gillen, Watson, Kerr, Murray, Thomson ©, Clark, Bremner, Graham, Liddell, Crawford.
Subs- Johnstone (GK), McGarahan, Croall, Henderson, Gerrad, Hambrook & Edwards
Adam Macdonald
BROXBURN ATHLETIC V JEANFIELD SWIFTS
Attendance 130
Broxburn Athletic–Pettigrew (GK), G Page ©, Bell, Wardell, Mwangi, Smith, Brass, Ellis, McLeod-Kay, McRory-Irving, Millar
SUBS- Watt (GK), Munro, J Page, Jones, Thomson, MacDonald, Locke
It was more cup action for Broxburn on Tuesday night as we take on Perth side Jeanfield Swifts at Albyn Park in the East of Scotland qualifying Cup third round
Jeanfield Swifts currently lie in fourth position in the East of Scotland Premier League. Winning eight, drawing three and losing two of their thirteen fixtures so far.
No strangers to the Badgers, Swifts finished third last season in our East of Scotland Premier League 2023/24 championship winning season. three points behind second place side Musselburgh Athletic. In the last fixture between the sides, it was a 1-1 draw at Riverside Stadium last April in the East of Scotland Premier League. Christopher Dodd gave Swifts the lead on four minutes, but Broxburn hit back on seventy-three minutes, when a Jeanfield defender put the ball in his own net from a Gary Brass cross.
The club is managed by ex Luncarty gaffer Robbie Howden who has been in charge since June 2023. He is assisted by ex Luncarty player Chris Anton. Players to watch on Tuesday night are striker Rhys Davies, ex Rangers youth player Archie Campbell and recent signing, forward Mark Smith who joined the club from Sauchie on Monday.
To get to this stage in the competition. Broxburn defeated Blackburn United 5-0 in Albyn Park in July in the second round. Darren Downie scored twice while, Nick Locke, Greg Page and Alassan Jones all got on the scoresheet. Jeanfield Swifts defeated Bo’ness United 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium. Achie Campbell and Kyle Green secured the Perth sides place in Round three.
Jeanfield Swifts Last Four Games
(26/10/24) Edinburgh City (H) 1-1 (LOP)
(2/11/24) Hutchison Vale (H) 1-2 (L)
(5/11/24) Hill of Beath (A) 2-1 (L)
(9/11/24) Dunbar United (A) 1-1 (D)
Broxburn Athletic are in their traditional kits, red and white shirts, white shorts and red and white socks. Visitors Jeanfield Swifts are in all lime green kits. Broxburn make four changes from the team that defeated Stranraer on Saturday 2-1 at Stair Park in the Scottish Cup. In comes, Jordan Pettigrew, Bryan Mwangi, Ruari Ellis and Marcus Miller, who replace Bob Watt, Jonathan Page, Andy Rodden and Alassan Jones.
First chance of the match comes for the hosts on 4 minutes. A Finn McLeod Kay deflected shot is wide of target. On 6 minutes, Gary Brass has a shot wide for Athletic.
With a cracking bit of skill, Bryan Mwangi turns away from his marker and finds Fionn McLeod Kay, before playing in the running Mwangi, unfortunately the pass has too much on it for Mwangi.
Jeanfield create their first chance of the match on 15 minutes, a shot by Oliver Hamilton is wide of goal.
Huge chance for Broxburn. Greg Page plays a long ball forward that finds Owen Wardell, the wee man makes a great touch and unleashes a powerful volley that hits the upright. First in the referee’s book is Scott McRory Irving for a foul on 28 minutes. On 35 minutes, a Kyle Bell shot deflects for a corner. The resulting corner is half cleared, but Broxburn work the loose ball too Scott McRory Irving whose shot was saved by Swifts keeper Ben Swinton.
Jeanfield Swifts have the ball in the net on 39 minutes, but its ruled offside.
Next in the referee’s book is Jeanfield Swifts defender Kieran Stewart who fouled Broxburn striker Gary Brass on 39 minutes.
On 43 minutes, Owen Wardell takes it to the byline on the right before delivering a dangerous cross that is missed by stand in skipper Greg Page at a tight angle.
HALF TIME (0-0)
We are delayed for 10 minutes for an injury to the linesman who has cut his ear.
On 50 minutes, a dangerous cross from the left by Marcus Miller is missed by Gary Brass. On 53 minutes, Broxburn have another chance. Owen Wardell is fouled just outside the box on the right. Bryan Mwangi’s takes the free kick, and his powerful cross is headed wide by Marcus Miller. A minute later, Owen Wardell plays an excellent ball through for Bryan Mwangi, who takes a touch past outrushing Swifts keeper Ben Swinton before Kieran Stewart makes a vital block for the Perth side.
On the 58 minutes, a Kieran Stewart shot for Jeanfield Swifts is saved by Broxburn keeper Jordan Pettigrew. A great stop by the returning Broxburn keeper. Next in the referee’s book is Ronan McMurchie for a foul on Owen Wardell on 67 minutes.
DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (68 Minutes)
ON- Alassan Jones & Nick Locke
OFF-Owen Wardell & Fionn McLeod Kay
On 74 minutes, a shot by Ronan McMurchie is just wide for Swifts.
SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (78 Minutes)
ON-Conor Thomson
OFF-Scott McRory Irving
For the second game in a row, we go to extra time….
EXTRA TIME (1ST HALF)
SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (90 Minutes)
ON-Adam MacDonald
OFF-Kyle Bell
GOAL! Broxburn have the lead. A long ball into the box from Alassan Jones Is missed by Swifts keeper Ben Swinton. Stand in skipper Greg Page was on hand to knock home the loose ball.
BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 (Greg Page-105 Minutes)
JEANFIELD SWIFTS 0
Next in the book is Joseph Smith for a foul on Swifts number 16, Ronan McMurchie.
EXTRA TIME (2ND HALF)
GOAL! Jeanfield equalise! A good ball in finds Matthew Cullerton who scores from close range.
Broxburn Athletic 1
Jeanfield Swifts 1 (Cullerton-110 minutes)
Good play by Broxburn. Bryan Mwangi takes on the Swifts left back before delivering another dangerous cross that finds Alassan Jones. The Broxburn midfielder’s header is saved by keeper Swinton. There were chances at the end for Alassan Jones from a free kick and a shot by Nick Locke is saved by Swinton. But we are going to penalties at the Albyn.
PENALTIES
(BRO) Nick Locke (scores) 1-0 Broxburn
(JEA)Kieran Stewart (misses) 1-0 Broxburn
(BRO) Conor Thomson (misses) 1-0 Broxburn
(JEA) Patrick Brown (scores) 1-1
(BRO) Bryan Mwangi (scores) 2-1 Broxburn
(JEA) Oliver Hamilton (misses) 2-1 Broxburn
(BRO) Greg Page (scores) 3-1 Broxburn
(JEA) Ross Philip (scores) 3-2 Broxburn
(BRO) Gary Brass (scores) 4-2 Broxburn
Broxburn progress on penalties and progress to the East of Qualifying Cup fourth round, where we take on Whitburn Juniors away on Saturday December the 21st with a 1pm kick off.
FULL TIME
Broxburn Athletic 1 (G Page)
Jeanfield Swifts 1
Broxburn won 4-2 on penalties
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE- Clyde Buchan
ASSISTANTS- Richard Kay & Michael Dixon
Jeanfield Swifts – Swinton (GK), Stewart, Brown, Hamilton, Smith, Philip, Dodd, Campbell, Cullerton
Subs- Downs (GK), Anton, Whitehead, McMurchie, Struthers, Urquhart & Green
NEXT GAME
Saturday the 7th of December
Lowland League
University of Stirling (H)
Albyn Park
3pm