Season: 2023/24

Total attendance 255

75th Anniversary Tournament: Broxburn Athletic v Livingston B 22 July 2023

To complete the pre-season The Brox invited West Premier League side Pollok, Livingston FC B and Dundee Utd B to the Albyn for a weekend tournament to celebrate the clubs 75th Anniversary.

In the first game of the weekend Pollok played Dundee Utd B. Pollok went ahead in 40 minutes through Evan Maley’s 1st goal for the club which was cancelled out by a 48th minute equaliser from the Taysiders. Penalties were required to separate the teams Pollok triumphing 4-3 Andy Gallacher scoring the winning penalty.

Broxburn then shaped up against Livingston B in a West Lothian derby to decide who would play Pollok in the final tomorrow. Broxburn made 6 changes from the side which started against Lowland League Hearts B in midweek. Watt, R.Nimmo, Heath, T15, T16 and T21 replaced by Donoghue, Munro, Campbell, D.Nimmo, Turner and T9.

The game got off to a fast paced start Locke chased on to a long ball and won a corner off Allan. Turner took the corner kick to the near post where there were loud shouts for handball by a Livi defender but these claims were waved away.

Livingston broke quickly Goncalves playing a great ball down the right to Featherston who got away from Campbell and was dragged back in the penalty area causing the referee to point to the penalty spot. BAHAMBOULA took the kick confidently striking the ball into the net to give the visitors an early lead. Time 2 minutes.

Both sides were finding it difficult to create chances in the wind which was prevailing.

In 10 minutes Turner sent a nice pass out to Davidson his cross being blocked for a corner. Turner took the kick but Bitsindou headed clear.

Turner was asserting himself in midfield playing another neat ball out to Munro his cross controlled by Downie who turned and got in a shot from a tight angle which he couldn’t quite direct on target.

Campbell was fouled by Goncalves on the left, Davidson took the free kick , Downie flicked on with the back of his head, D.Nimmo headed back across goal where Trialist No.9 got in a shot but it deflected wide. Turner took the corner but Livi cleared their lines.

A Turner foul on Bahamboula 25 yards from goal gave the young Lions a presentable opportunity. The same player took the free kick which was well struck with Donoghue playing safe by palming the ball over the bar.

In the 25th minute Campbell went on a terrific run down the left his cross was bang on the money forcing Howie in the Livi goal to dive full length to save.

D.Nimmo was booked for a foul on Bahamboula in the following minute.

In 28 minutes Broxburn broke quickly Trialist No. 9 playing a great ball to Locke who got beyond the Livi defence but his lob beat Howie but not the right hand post.
In the following minute Davidson tried an ambitious shot from distance which Howie parried and gathered at the 2nd attempt.

The pressure finally paid on the half hour Locke playing in a delicious ball from the right which TRIALIST No. 9 guided neatly into the net to tie the scores.

The trialist had a brilliant chance to double his tally shortly afterwards Davidson sending him clear but his effort just missed the net but hit the side netting.

In the 33rd minute the trialist was played in again on the right he tried to place his shot wide of Howie but the keeper was the equal of the effort and saved with his feet.

Munro went on a great run down the right and his cross was accurate and met by Trialist No. 9 but he saw his effort go over the bar.

Campbell fouled Stenhouse on the right in 43 minutes. Stenhouse took the kick himself and his cross found Bitsindou all alone 6 yards out but he volleyed over the bar.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 1 Livingston B
Into the 2nd half and Livi were first to create a chance Bitsindou and Bahamboula interchanging passes to allow the former a clear shot which went well wide of the right hand post.

In 54 minutes Heath replaced Trialist No9.

Munro collected the ball 40 yards from goal advanced forward and unleashed a shot which was well off target.

Campbell looked dangerous on the left beating a defender and playing in a cross to the near post which Locke got to with his shot blocked off by Allan and scrambled clear. The Brox retrieved possession settling up Munro who cracked a shot from 30 yards which just cleared the cross bar.

Turner went off injured in 63 minutes Trialist 15 replaced him.

In a nice Livingston move Stenhouse beat Campbell and his cross was begging for a touch but no young Lions were in the vicinity to do so.

In 72 minutes Featherston, McAuley and No. 19 went off to be replaced by MacFarlane-Letham, Kirk and McAfferey.
Broxburn also made changes Downie and Munro going off Gray and R.Nimmo coming on.

The Brox were getting stronger as the game went on Campbell and Heath combining well, with the former crossing in which Locke got to but once again he was thwarted this time by keeper Howie.

Heath did well in 84 minutes on the left sending over a great ball which Locke got his head to heading down but Howie managed to get enough on it to keep out of the net.

Campbell was booked in 85 minutes.
The Brox pressure finally paid off Campbell and Heath again the architects on the left , Heath hitting the bye line, his cross was pin point for R.NIMMO at the back post who applied the finish from close range to give the Brox the win and a place in tomorrow’s final against Pollok.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 2 – 1 Livingston B

Referee Mr B. Falconer  Assistants Mr S.McArthur, Mr S. Simpson