Season: 2024/25

Attendance 267

Broxburn Athletic–Watt (GK), Smith, Rodden, G Page, Ellis, Bell, Wardell, Douglas ©, Brass, McRory-Irving, Jones

SUBS- King (GK), Thomson, Downie, McLeod-Kay, Mwangi, Miller, J Page

Broxburn returned to Albyn Park on Saturday, for a league match against Berwick Rangers
Going into this match, Berwick Rangers lie in 13th position, winning four, drawing two and losing seven of their thirteen games so far. The club is managed by ex-Falkirk and St Johnstone defender Tam Scobbie. He is assisted by ex-Gala Fairydean manager and East Kilbride assistant Dean Shanks. The club is captained by ex-Hearts and Wigan youth player Jamie McCormack. The clubs top goal scorer so far is veteran striker Lewis Buchanan with four goals. In the clubs last fixture, they were eliminated from the Scottish Cup second round with a 1-0 defeat away to Forfar at Station Park last Saturday. Key players for Berwick today will be recent recruit Jamie Pyper who returns to the club for a second spell from East Stirlingshire. Ex Broomhill midfielder Alan Cook, and striker Jonny Devers also prove a threat.

Berwick Rangers Last Four Games

(5/10/24) East Kilbride (A) 7-1 (L)

(12/10/24) Threave Rovers (H) 0-3 (L)

(19/10/24) Gretna 2008 (A) 3-0 (L)

(26/10/24) Forfar Athletic (A) 1-0 (L)

Broxburn are in their traditional kits. Red and white shirts, white shorts and red and white socks. Berwick are in gold and black shirts, black shorts and black and yellow socks. Broxburn Athletic make three changes from the Scottish Cup second round 1-0 win against Auchineck Talbot last Saturday. In come two new loan signings who make their debut this afternoon. Joseph Smith who joins us from Queens Park and Ruari Ellis from Kilmarnock, they join Owen Wardell in the starting eleven. They replace Jonathan Page, Luke Morris and Lewis Turner.

Broxburn are first to threaten on 6 minutes. Owen Wardell plays a ball forward that finds Errol Douglas who shoots wide of target from a tight angle. On 12 minutes, Broxburn have the ball in the back of the net through Gary Brass but its chopped off for offside.

Berwick Rangers create their first chance on the 13th minute. A shot by Ben McCrystal is wide of target for the visitors.

Another good bit of play by Broxburn Athletic on 16 minutes. Good positive play by Owen Wardell who gets to the byline before crossing a deep ball that is unfortunately is just beyond Errol Douglas. On 25 minutes, Owen Wardell plays in Alassan Jones on the left. He takes a bad touch, and the ball runs out of play for a Berwick Rangers goal kick.

On 26 minutes, a shot by Berwick Rangers number 6 Kane O’Connor is wide of target.

Broxburn Athletic create the first big chance of the match on 35 minutes. Owen Wardell again delivers a good cross that finds Gary Brass whose header is pushed over the bar by Berwick Rangers keeper Callum Antell.

On 36 minutes, The Wee Gers have the ball in the back of the net, but it’s ruled out for a foul on the build-up.

GOAL! Broxburn take the lead! Wardell’s flick finds Andy Rodden wide left. Rodden’s cross finds Gary Brass who scores from close range for the opening goal of the game.

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 (Gary Brass-38 Minutes)

BERWICK RANGERS 0

Berwick Rangers have a chance on 41 minutes. A shot by Ben McCrystal from distance is pushed over by Broxburn keeper Bob Watt. Two minutes later, a shot by Berwick Rangers number 5 Jamie McCormack is blocked by Ruari Ellis. The rebound comes to Jamie Watson whose shot is saved again from Broxburn keeper Bob Watt.

On 44 minutes, a free kick by Scott McRory Irving is saved by Berwick Rangers keeper Callum Antell.

HALF TIME (1-0 Broxburn Athletic)

On 49 minutes, Broxburn midfielder Scott McRory-Irving is free wide left, but his shot hits the side netting.

Good play by Broxburn on the 52nd minute. Ball is worked wide for Andy Rodden whose whipped cross deflects for a corner. Resulting corner taken by Kyle Bell is cleared by Berwick.

GOAL! Broxburn have a second! Owen Wardell crosses from the right and finds Gary Brass who scores from close range for his third goal in two games.

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 2 (Gary Brass-55 Minutes)
BERWICK RANGERS 0

On 59 minutes, an Andy Rodden shot is blocked, and the rebound comes out too Owen Wardell. The Broxburn winger can’t get the ball over the line and Berwick clear through McCormack. On 65 minutes, Alassan Jones corner from the right finds Greg Page whose header hits the side netting. On 67 minutes, Gary Brass plays in Andy Rodden with a back heel but the dugout side linesman flags him offside.

GOAL! It’s 3-0 Broxburn! Owen Wardell gets his second assist of the day as his long ball finds Errol Douglas who controls it with his chest before volleying it home into the right corner for his 21st goal of the season.

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 3 (Errol Douglas-70 Minutes)
BERWICK RANGERS 0

DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (72 Minutes)

ON-Darren Downie & Bryan Mwangi

OFF-Alassan Jones & Errol Douglas

Shot by Berwick substitute Mathew Collins is wide of target on 74 minutes.

DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN ATHLETIC (79 Minutes)

ON- Conor Thomson and Fionn McLeod-Kay
OFF-Kyle Bell & Gary Brass

Big chance for Broxburn on 81 minutes. A whipped ball in by Andy Rodden is headed over by Gary Brass from close range.

Up the other end, Berwick have a chance on 82 minutes. A shot by Jamie Watson is over the bar.

On 90 minutes, another great Wardell cross finds Gary Brass who heads wide of target from close range.

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (92 Minutes)

ON-Marcus Miller

OFF-Owen Wardell

Broxburn recorded a good 3-0 win as we return to winning ways in the league. Huge shout out to debutants, right back Joseph Smith and centre back Ruari Ellis who at a young age, walked into team and both played well. Both look excellent additions!
FULL TIME
Broxburn Athletic 3(Brass x2, Douglas)
Berwick Rangers 0

MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE- Jamie McCunnie
ASSISTANTS- Eddie Ferguson & Martin Smith

Berwick Rangers – Antel (GK), Nelson, Calder, Pyper, McCormack, O’ Connor, Barr, McCrystal, Watson, Cook, Davers.
Subs- Kay (GK), Laidlaw, Robinson, McGinley, Scott, McNamara & Collins.

NEXT GAME
Tuesday the 5th of November
Lowland League
Caledonian Braves (Home)
Albyn Park
19.45PM