Venue: Away

ATTENDANCE 196

Broxburn Athletic–Watt (GK), Munro, G Page, Bell, Wardell, Downie, Mwangi, Ellis, McRory-Irving, Millar, Locke ©.

SUBS- Rodden, Smith, Turner, Thomson, MacDonald. King .

It was another Saturday cup away trip for Broxburn. This time against Whitburn at Central Park in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup 4^th Round.

Whitburn currently lie in fifth position in the East of Scotland Premier Division. Winning seven, drawing three and losing five of their fifteen fixtures so far.

The last meeting between the two sides was on Saturday the 16^th of September 2023, in the Challenge Cup Second Round.  The game went all the way to penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time. Broxburn won on penalties 4-2. Scorers for Broxburn that day were Nick Locke and Errol Douglas, while Darren Liddell and Mick McGarahan scored for Whitburn.

Players to watch for the hosts on Saturday include, Defender Sammy Watson, attacking midfielder Callum Hambrook and recent Broxburn midfielder Callum Bremner, who as we are all aware of the player Callum is after a very successful season at the Badgers last term.

In the clubs last fixture, Whitburn lost to East of Scotland Premier League pace setters Musselburgh Athletic, 3-2 at home last Saturday. Scorers for Whitburn were Cammy Graham and Ross Crawford.

Whitburn’s Last Four Games

(2/11/24) Haddington Athletic (H) 1-1 (D)

(9/11/24) Dundonald Bluebell (A) 4-2 (L)

(1/12/24) Kirkcaldy & Dysart (N) 1-0 (W)

(14/12/24) Musselburgh Athletic (H) 2-3 (L)

Whitburn are in Claret and Amber strips with claret shorts and socks. Broxburn are in all Navy Blue strips. Broxburn Athletic make two changes from the side that defeated East Stirlingshire 6-1 away in the league last weekend. In comes Darren Downie & Bob Watt who replace Jordan Pettigrew & Gary Brass.

After passing an earlier pitch inspection, this game was in doubt an hour before kick-off. The heavy rain was really affecting the pitch, and you could see it cutting up in the warmup. Referee Andrew Craven decided it was game on.

Broxburn are first to threaten in the 1^st minute. A deep cross by Nick Locke is well read by Whitburn keeper Sean Brown, who comes off his line to collect.

Whitburn have a half chance on the 8^th minute. A good delivery from Cammy Graham is just beyond onrushing Darren Liddell at the back post.

First booking of the match comes on 15 minutes for Kyle Bell for a pull-on Whitburn’s Steve Clark who is getting away from him.

On 29 minutes, Owen Wardell delivers a teasing cross that is just behind Bryan Mwangi who was sliding in at the back post.

On 31 minutes, Whitburn have the ball in the back of the net. Ross Crawford plays in Cammy Graham who chipped Bob Watt. But Crawford is ruled offside. Lovely finish from Graham who showed great technique. On the 33^rd minute, Ross Crawford does well for Whitburn. He collects the ball and holds up play before finding Cammy Graham wide left. But the Whitburn 11 falls over and gifts Broxburn a throw in.

GOAL! Broxburn take the lead! Nick Locke plays in Bryan Mwangi who is in a footrace with ex Badger Andy Gillen. Whitburn keeper Sean Brown comes out and totally misses the ball, leaving Bryan Mwangi with an open goal, he scores! 1-0 Broxburn.

WHITBURN 0

BROXBURN ATHLETIC (Bryan Mwangi-36 Minutes)

Next in the referee’s book is Whitburn’s Andy Gillen for a foul on Bryan Mwangi just outside the box. Nick Locke’s resulting free kick is parried away by Whitburn keeper Sean Brown and Whitburn eventually clear their lines.

On 41 minutes, Bryan Mwangi latches on to a loose ball in the box. He turns the Whitburn defender inside out and his shot is blocked by Whitburn defender Steph Murray.

On 43 minutes, a shot by Ross Crawford is saved down low by Bob Watt.

HALF TIME (1-0 Broxburn) 

The players return to the park during a huge downpour. The referee decides after 5 minutes to take the players back into the changing room. So, we have a 5-minute delay.

On 55 minutes, an Owen Wardell cross from the right has Whitburn keeper Sean Brown scrambling as his effort hits the bar.

On 56 minutes, Marcus Miller is booked for a foul on Cammy Graham.

On 59 minutes, Darren Downie plays in Bryan Mwangi. The winger takes on the Whitburn full back and his cross is diverted for a corner. The resulting corner finds Greg Page who heads over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION BROXBURN (69 Minutes) 

ON-Joseph Smith

OFF-Marky Munro

On 73 minutes, Darren Downie plays in Scott McRory Irving whose shot is saved by Whitburn keeper Sean Brown.

On 81 minutes, a long ball finds Owen Wardell in on the left. He uses his pace to get away from the right back and his shot is saved by the outstretched Whitburn keeper Sean Brown.

DOUBLE BROXBURN SUBSTITUTION (82 Minutes) 

ON- Lewis Turner & Andy Rodden

OFF-Bryan Mwangi & Darren Downie 

Greg Page is booked on 83 minutes for a foul and is followed by Whitburn substitute Ali Croall who is booked for a foul on Owen Wardell on 86 minutes. From the resulting free kick. Andy Rodden’s whipped ball in has too much on it.

On 93 minutes, from a Whitburn corner, Broxburn only clear as far as Cammy Graham whose effort is saved by Bob Watt.

Broxburn progressed to the Quarter Finals of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup. It will be Thornton Hibs at home next. Fair play to the boys today, they rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in against a good team, in very tricky conditions.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and see you all at Albyn Park for Tranent next Saturday.

FULL TIME

Whitburn 0

Broxburn Athletic 1 (Mwangi)

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE- Andrew Craven

ASSISTANTS- Richard MacCartney & Andrew Strang

Whitburn – Brown (GK), Gillen, Watson, Kerr, Murray, Thomson ©, Clark, Bremner, Graham, Liddell, Crawford.

Subs- Johnstone (GK), McGarahan, Croall, Henderson, Gerrad, Hambrook & Edwards