Season: 2024/25
Daniel Mason Bone
Lewis Blane
BROXBURN ATHLETIC V STIRLING UNIVERSITY
Attendance 175
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
Stranraer v Broxburn Athletic
Attendance 701
Broxburn Athletic–Watt (GK), Rodden, G Page ©, J Page, Bell, Wardell, Jones, Brass, McLeod Kay, McRory Irving
SUBS- Pettigrew, Downie, Mwangi, Thomson, Ellis, Russell, Millar & Locke.
On Saturday, it was the big one, as Broxburn Athletic travelled to Stair Park to take on Stranraer FC, in the Scottish Cup Third Round.
Stranraer currently lie in eight position in Scottish League Two. They have won three, drew three and lost seven of their thirteen games so far this season. The new management team of brothers Chris Aitken and Steve Aitken took over from departing boss Scott Agnew in September. Stranraer progressed to this stage of the Scottish cup with a 3-2 away win to local rivals Threave Rovers. Stranraer came from two goals down to win the game with goals coming from Dylan Cairnie, Ross Irving and Ryan Edgar. Players to watch include ex Falkirk keeper Robbie Mutch, ex Greenock Morton left back Mark Russell, ex Kilmarnock youth player Dean Hawkshaw and striker Ryan Edgar.
How The Teams Made It This Far
STRANRAER FC
Round 2- (A) Threave Rovers- 2-3
BROXBURN ATHLETIC
Round 1- (A) Dalkeith Thistle- 0-4
Round 2- (A) Auchinleck Talbot- 0-1
Stranraer FC’s Last Four Games
(25/10/24) Threave Rovers (A) 2-3 (W)
(2/11/24) Elgin City (A) 1-0 (L)
(9/11/24) East Fife (A) 1-2 (W)
(16/11/24) Bonnyrigg Rose (H) 1-2 (L)
Stranraer are in blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks. Broxburn Athletic are in their traditional kits, red and white shirts, white shorts and red and white socks. Broxburn make one change from the team that lost 1-0 to Hearts B in league action last Friday. In comes Gary Brass for Errol Douglas.
The hosts were first to threaten in the first minute. Russell picked up a loose ball and his shot was saved by Broxburn keeper Bob Watt. On the 7th minute, a shot by Stranraer’s Hawkshaw was well blocked by stand in skipper Greg Page who conceded a corner. On the 12th minute, a volley by Stranraer’s Gallacher was way over the bar for the hosts.
Unfortunately, Broxburn Athletic defender Andy Rodden picked up an injury and couldn’t continue.
SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (14 Minutes)
ON-Marcus Millar
OFF-Andy Rodden
Stranraer had a huge chance to take the lead. A cross from Cummins finds Ross whose effort hits the bar for the hosts.
On 20 minutes, Gary Brass nod on from a long ball finds Fionn McLeod Kay whose shot deflected for a corner.
GOAL! Broxburn take the lead! A long free kick into the box by Scott McRory Irving finds veteran defender Jonathan Page who gets his head to the ball before Stranraer keeper Pazikas who came of his line. His header finds the empty net to give Broxburn first blood.
STRANRAER 0
BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 (Jonathan Page-32 Minutes)
On 35 minutes, Owen Wardell beats the Stranraer right back before delivering a dangerous cross into the box that evades everyone.
First in the referee’s book is Stranraer’s Cummins for a foul on 37 minutes. He was followed by Broxburn’s Joe Smith who was late on Stranraer’s Ecrepont.
HALF TIME (1-0 Broxburn)
Stranraer are first to threaten in the second half. On 51 minutes, a cross by Grant (with assist from the wind) kisses the bar before going out for a throw in.
On 66 minutes, a Scott McRory Irving free kick has too much on it and goes over for a free kick to the hosts.
Stranraer are dominating possession and looking dangerous as they push for an equaliser. On 78 minutes, a cross by Robertson on the right finds Lang, whose deflected effort is just wide of the left-hand post.
SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (76 Minutes)
ON-Bryan Mwangi
OFF-Fionn McLeod Kay
On 79 minutes, a Stranraer short corner is eventually whipped in and punched clear by Bob Watt. The clearances comes out to Dunlop whose shot from outside the box is wide of the right hand post.
GOAL! It’s all square at Stair Park. Gallacher finds Dunlop who takes a touch inside and his shot finds the bottom right corner.
STRANRAER 1 (Dunlop-81 Minutes)
BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1
Good play by Stranraer winger Grant. He turns Bryan Mwangi inside out and his cross finds Robertson who gets some contact on the ball, but it’s grabbed by Broxburn keeper Bob Watt.
We go to extra time….
FULL TIME (1-1)
EXTRA TIME FIRST HALF
SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (93 MINUTES)
ON-Nick Locke
OFF-Alassan Jones
Chance for Broxburn on 94 minutes. Nick Locke is fed through by Scott McRory Irving and a unbelievable bit of skill gets him away from the Stranraer defender. His shot is over the bar for the visitors.
GOAL! Its 2-1 Broxburn! A dangerous Owen Wardell cross from the left is cleared as far as Kyle Bell. The Broxburn midfielder’s ball into the box finds Nick Locke who is unmarked and heads home to the delight of the visiting Broxburn support.
STRANRAER 1
BROXBURN ATHLETIC 2 (Nick Locke- 97 Minutes)
Unbelievable energy from Joesph Smith so late in the game. From right back he picks up and drives forward 30-40 yards on the 100th minute.
On 103 Minutes, a Gary Brass shot is over the bar for Broxburn.
EXTRA TIME SECOND HALF
SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (105 Minutes)
ON-Darren Downie
OFF-Gary Brass
Chance for Stranraer on 108 minutes. A shot by McKnight is saved by Broxburn keeper Bob Watt. On 111 minutes, McKnight puts another effort wide of target.
Darren Downie is booked on 116 minutes for a foul
SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (117 Minutes)
ON-Ruari Ellis
OFF-Marcus Miller
Bryan Mwangi is also booked for a pull just as Stranraer were breaking forward.
What a day for the team. Every player on the park deserves credit for the effort and fight put in. Also, the support in the stand was unbelievable from start to finish!
FULL TIME
Stranraer FC 1
Broxburn Athletic 2 (J Page, Locke)
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE- Sean Murdoch
ASSISTANTS- Cameron Telfer and Scott Bunting
Stranraer FC – Pazikas (GK), Robertson, Cummins, Ross, Gallacher ©, Russell, Hawkshaw, Guthrie, Ecrepont, Grant, Lang
Subs- Gibson (GK), Brindley, McQueen, Adam, Dunlop, McKnight & Edgar
NEXT GAME
Tuesday the 3rd of December
East of Scotland Qualifying Cup 3rd Round
Jeanfield Swifts
Albyn Park
19.45PM