League: Lowland League

Attendance 229

Broxburn Athletic (4-2-3-1) – Pettigrew (GK), Munro, Rodden, G Page ©, J Page, Bell, Nimmo, Jones, Mwangi, Russell, McRory-Irving  

SUBS- Watt (GK), Downie, Heath, Morris, Moyles, Kagni-Soukpe & Millar  

We return to Albyn Park for a midweek league fixture, against Gala Fairydean.  

Gretna 2008 finished season 2023/24 in 17th position, three points ahead of relegated Edinburgh University. The club is managed by Vinny Parker, who is assisted by Kevin Somerville. The club recently added the signing of ex Workington Reds midfielder Greg McCaragher. He joins summer additions. Forward Stuart Douglas joins from Threave Rovers, defender Roan Steele from Carlisle City, midfielder Andy Oram joins from Queen of the South and midfielder Cameron Mulvanny signed from Clyde. In the clubs last fixture, they defeated Hearts B 6-1 at Raydale Park last Wednesday. Ian Anderson scored twice and there were also goals from Dean Brotherston, Jordon Holt, Liam Short & Sam Atkinson.   

Gretna 2008 last 4 Games  

(6/8/24) Cumbernauld Colts (A) 0-1 (W)  

(10/8/24) Linlithgow Rose (H) 1-3 (L) 

(17/8/24) Celtic B (H) 0-1 (L)   

(21/8/24) Hearts B (H) 6-1 (W)   

It was a warm but cloudy day in Gretna as both teams emerged from the changing rooms. Gretna 2008 are in black and white strips, black shorts and socks and are playing a 3-5-2 formation. Broxburn are in their traditional strips, red and white shirts, white shorts and red and white socks and are in a changed 4-2-3-1 formation. Broxburn make 3 changes to the team that defeated Gala Fairydean 3-0 last Tuesday night. In come Ross Nimmo, Kyle Bell and James Russell who replaces Errol Douglas, Nick Locke and Lewis Turner.  

On 5 minutes, a whipped Andy Rodden cross from the left is punched clear by Gretna’s keeper Jim Atkinson. On ten minutes, A free kick taken by Alassan Jones is wide of target. James Russell flies down the left and his cross finds Ross Nimmo, the returning Broxburn winger puts his effort just over the bar on 17 minutes.   

On 28 minutes, Gretna keeper Jim Atkinson shows safe hands as he comes to collect a dangerous looking Kyle Bell cross. Two minutes later, keeper Atkinson comes out to clear the danger, his clearance hits the back of James Russell and sends Alassan Jones who picks up possession on the left with an empty net, but his effort from a tight angle is just wide of target.  

On 35 minutes, Andy Rodden plays a good 1-2 with Bryan Mwangi. Rodden’s eventual cross is cleared by Gretna defender Stuart Douglas.   

Gretna create their first chance of the match on 39 minutes. A shot by Andy Oram deflects wide for a corner. On 42 minutes, Gregory McCaragher’s shot from the right hits the side netting for the hosts.   

Good bravery by James Russell who put his head down onto a loose ball to win possession. He plays a good ball through for Ross Nimmo whose shot is over the bar.   

HALF TIME (0-0) 

On 55 minutes, at the corner flag there is a bit of handbags between Broxburn right back Marky Munro and Gretna number 11 Cameron Mulvanny. Both players are booked by referee Birch.   

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN ATHLETIC (60 Minutes)  

ON- Callum Heath  

OFF-Ross Nimmo  

On 64 minutes, a shot by Andy Oram is wide by Gretna.  

Kyle Bell is fouled in the box and Broxburn have a penalty. GOAL!! Up steps Kyle Bell who slots his penalty into the right corner.   

GRETNA 2008 0 

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 (Kyle Bell-Penalty-70 Minutes)  

On 72 minutes, a great cross by Callum Heath from the left is headed out for a throw in by Gretna defender Dickinson. On 74 minutes, a free kick by Alassan Jones is just wide of target.  

On 76 minutes, Gregory McCaracher makes a good run forward and is caught by both James Russell and Alassan Jones on the way through, both players are booked by referee Birch at the next stoppage in play.  

GOAL! Broxburn have a second. Jones drives into the area from the right and his shot deflects back into his path. He cuts inside, past the Gretna defender and scores into the left corner.   

GRETNA 2008 0 

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 2 (Alassan Jones-80 Minutes)   

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (85 Minutes)  

ON-Darren Downie  

OFF-Alassan Jones   

On 88 minutes, A Callum Heath cross finds Darren Downie who heads wide of target.  

Gretna push everything forward at the end of the match. Jack Dickinson’s latches on to a cross from the right, but his header has no power and is collected by Broxburn keeper Pettigrew.  

Broxburn hang onto a huge three points down at the Scottish borders and now look forward to a big match next week at Albyn Park against champions East Kilbride.   

FULL TIME  

Gretna 2008 0 

Broxburn Athletic 2 (Bell & Jones)   

MATCH OFFICIALS 

REFEREE- Mr Birch  

ASSISTANTS- Mr Viola & Mr McFarlane   

Gretna 2008 – Atkinson (GK & Captain), Potts, Tait, Dickinson, Douglas, Wooding-Holt, McCaragher, Oram, Brotherston, Short, Mulvanny 

Subs- Coates, Steele, Atkinson, Lambonby, Trialist (GK)   

NEXT GAME  

Lowland League  

East Kilbride (H) 

Saturday the 31st of August  

Albion Park  

3pm