League: Lowland League

ATTENDANCE 210

Broxburn Athletic (4-4-2) – Pettigrew (GK), Munro, Rodden, G Page, J Page, Jones, Douglas, Mwangi, Turner, McRory-Irving, Locke ©  

SUBS- Watt (GK), Bell, Downie, Heath, Moyles, Russell & Kagni-Soukpe  

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

Gala Fairydean Rovers finished season 2023/24 in 16th position in the Lowland League. Six points behind Broomhill and twenty points ahead of 17th place Gretna 2008. The club have made three loan signings in this transfer window. Young Dunfermline defender Liam Hoggan joins as well as midfielder Tommy Sharp from Livingston. On the day of the game, the club also announced the signing of Falkirk defender Logan Sinclair till the end of the season. The club is managed by ex-Ross County and Hibernian midfielder Martin Scott. Scott is assisted by Broxburn boy and ex Falkirk and Motherwell striker Steven Craig.  

Ardrossan Winton Rangers last 4 Games  

(3/8/24) Hearts B (H) 1-5 (L)      

(6/8/24) Celtic B (A) 2-2 (D)   

(10/8/24) Cowdenbeath (A) 4-1 (L)  

(17/8/24) Edinburgh United (A) 1-3 (W)   

It was a cold night at Albyn Park. Broxburn are in their changed kits, all navy blue and start with a 4-4-2 diamond. Visitors Gala Fairydean are in an all-white (with red and black trim) kit and start with a 4-5-1 formation. Broxburn make 5 changes from the Ardrossan Winton Rovers cup win on Saturday. In come Jordan Pettigrew, Jonathan Page, Alassan Jones, Lewis Turner and Nick Locke. They replace, Bob Watt, Kyle Bell. Callum Heath, Kieran Moyles and James Russell.  

Gala are first to threaten on 5 minutes. A shot by Liam Watt is saved by Broxburn keeper Jordan Pettigrew. 

On 10 minutes, a whipped ball in by Lewis Turner eventually drops for Errol Douglas. The big man’s effort is saved by the feet of the Gala keeper Scott.  

First in the referee’s book is Broxburn skipper Nick Locke on 11 minutes. He goes down in the box and referee Whyte flashed the yellow for simulation.  

Marky Munro is also booked on 12 minutes for asking the referee a question after an earlier foul.  

On 17 minutes, Bryan Mwangi’s ball in from the right falls for Errol Douglas. The big man attempts the volley but doesn’t make great contact on it, the shot is in the direction of Nick Locke but carries too much pace and the Broxburn skipper can’t get on to it.  

On 20 minutes, Gala are reduced to ten men. The stand side linesman calls over the referee after the Gala’s Ethan Dougal raised his hands at Broxburn left back Andy Rodden. Eventually the referee shows the red card and Gala have 70 minutes to play with ten.  

GOAL! Broxburn take the lead! Andy Rodden plays a great ball over from the left that finds Bryan Mwangi. Mwangi taps home from close range for the games opening goal!  

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 (Bryan Mwangi-22 Minutes)  

GALA FAIRYDEAN 0  

On 23 minutes, an Alassan Jomes shot is pushed wide by the Gala keeper Sam Scott.  

Big chance for a Broxburn second on 29 minutes, similar to the goal, Rodden crosses from the left and finds Bryan Mwangi who is stretching and puts his effort over the bar.  

Gala had a chance to equalise on 34 minutes. Tommy Sharp finds Liam Watt who shoots over the bar for the visitors.  

GOAL! Broxburn have a second! Sam Scott quickly comes off his line and goes to clear the danger. His clearance hits a Broxburn player and deflects into the path of Alassan Jones. Jones scores into an empty net! The Gala players surrounded the referee who got the decision wrong in my opinion.  

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 2 (Alassan Jones-39 Minutes)  

GALA FAIRYDEAN 0  

Nick Locke rushes onto a high loose ball, his volley is just wide of target,  

On 45 minutes, Alassan Jones latches on to an Errol Douglas pass, but his effort is saved by Ardrossan keeper Sam Scott.  

HALF TIME (2-0 Broxburn Athletic)   

On 49 minutes, a Scott McRory-Irving shot from distance, is saved by Gala keeper Sean Scott.  

Unfortunately, Broxburn skipper Nick Locke can’t continue after suffering a hamstring injury. Hopefully it isn’t too serious, and we see Nick soon.  

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN ATHLETIC (55 Minutes) 

ON-Kyle Bell 

OFF-Nick Locke   

On 63 minutes, a teasing cross from Liam Watt is cleared by Broxburn defender Greg Page.  

DOUBLE BROXBURN SUBSTITUTION (67 Minutes) 

ON-James Russell & Godwin Kagni-Soukpe 

OFF- Lewis Turner & Alassan Jones    

Kyle Bell has a shot saved by Gala keeper Scott on 76 minutes.   

Next in the referee’s book is Keaghan Jacobs for a foul on Bryan Mwangi on 78 minutes.  

On 79 minutes, an Andy Rodden free kick is just wide of target.   

GOAL! Its 3-0 Broxburn. A shot by Stirling Albion loanee Godwin Kagni-Soukpe is saved by Scott. The rebound falls for Errol Douglas who slots home for his 7th league goal of the season and 9th overall.   

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 3 (Errol Douglas- 83 Minutes)  

GALA FAIRYDEAN 0   

DOUBLE BROXBURN SUBSTITUTION (83 Minutes)  

ON-Callum Heath & Darren Downie  

OFF-Errol Douglas & Bryan Mwangi   

On 84 minutes, Darren Downie’s effort is just over the bar.  

Broxburn made the advantage count and recorded their third 3-0 league win on the trot. Now for a long away trip to Gretna on Saturday.   

FULL TIME  

Broxburn Athletic 3 (Mwangi, Jones & Douglas) 

Gala Fairydean 0  

MATCH OFFICIALS 

REFEREE- Mr Whyte  

ASSISTANTS- Mr Martin & Mr Robertson   

Gala Fairydean – Scott (GK), Hoggan, Sneddon, Ledingham, Herdman, Jacobs, Hall, Galbraith ©, Sharp, Dougal, Watt 

Subs- Beagley (GK), Maskrey, Sinclair, Wylie, Lyons, Murray (GK) & Ocholi   

NEXT GAME  

Lowland League  

Gretna 2008 (A)  

Saturday the 24th of August  

Raydale Park