East Stirlingshire v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Match Report- (East Stirlingshire-27/12/25)

By Stuart McLellan

We travelled to Larbert last Saturday in Lowland League action against East Stirlingshire.

East Stirlingshire are in black and white strips with black shorts and socks. Broxburn Athletic are in red and white strips, white shorts and red and white socks.

Broxburn Athletic make three changes to the team from last week’s 2-0 EOSFL Quarter Final victory over Whitburn. In comes Jack McConnell, Matty McDonald and Scott McRory-Irving. The replace Bob Watt, Jamie Docherty and Kyle Bell. East Stirlingshire make four changes to the 3-derby defeat to University of Stirling. In comes Lucas McRoberts, Margaro Gomis, Aodhan Taylor and Flynn McCafferty. They replace Ben Hobbs, Jamie Hislop, Trialist & Fin Malcolm.

The hosts are the first to threaten on four minutes. Flynn McCafferty drives into the box, and his shot is saved by Broxburn keeper Jack McConnell.

On seven minutes, Greg Page plays a ball down the left flank for Marcus Lavery. Marcus gets a shot at goal, but it’s easily saved by Shire keeper Jay Cantley.

East Stirlingshire make a change on ten minutes. Player/manager Callum Tapping is replaced by Fin Malcolm.

Good hold up play by Errol Douglas who nods the ball on for the onrushing Chris O’ Kane. Kano looks to be fouled but manages to find Errol Douglas with just the keeper to beat. Just as he gets to the ball, referee Denholm blows for a free kick, to the frustration of the Broxburn players, staff and supporters.  Robbie Hamilton resulting free kick was saved by Shire keeper Jay Cantley.

On twenty-nine minutes, Broxburn win back possession after East Stirlingshire saw a lot of the ball in the last fifteen minutes. Robbie Hamilton plays a good ball inside to Robbie McGale, who drives forward before feeding in Errol Douglas. Douglas takes a bad touch, and the ball goes out for a goal kick.

East Stirlingshire’s Aodhan Taylor is booked for a foul on Matty McDonald.

GOAL! Broxburn take the lead on thirty six minutes. Robbie McGale’s free kick is headed on from Errol Douglas into the path of Chris O’ Kane who scores from close range for Broxburn.

On forty-three minutes, Lucas McRoberts plays in substitute Fin Malcolm, whose shot was well saved by Broxburn keeper Jack McDowell.

Half Time (1-0 Broxburn Athletic)

A shot by Ben Lamont is easily saved by Jack McConnell on forty-eight minutes.

East Stirlingshire are pushing for an equaliser. On fifty-two minutes, a shot by Ben Lamont is pushed away by Broxburn keeper Jack McConnell, the rebound is headed over by Lucas McRoberts. McRoberts also has shot that is over the bar on fifty-five minutes.

Broxburn Athletic make their first substitution on fifty-nine minutes. Jamie Docherty replaces Robbie Hamilton. A Jamie Docherty free kick is saved by East Stirlingshire keeper Jay Cantley.

GOAL! Broxburn go 2-0 ahead on seventy-three minutes! A corner by Robbie McGale is headed home by the unmarked Jon Robertson.

On seventy-five minutes, a mix up at the back from Broxburn gifts the ball to Ben Lamont whose shot is saved by Jack McDowell.

On seventy-eight minutes, Errol Douglas is fouled in the box by and the referee points to the spot. GOAL! Up steps Errol Douglas who slams it into the left corner.

On eighty-two minutes, Shire’s Alex Walker is booked for a foul on Jamie Docherty.

On eighty-three minutes, a Broxburn corner taken by Robbie McGale is headed wide of target by Sam Gormley.

Double Broxburn substitution on eighty-four minutes. Nick Locke and Luke Watkins replace Jon Robertson and Errol Douglas.

On ninety minutes, Luke Watkins is in on goal, but he can’t get his touch right and East Stirlingshire get the ball clear. A minute later, Jamie Docherty drives into the box and his shot is saved by Shire keeper Cantley, the rebound falls just behind the onrushing Luke Watkins. Nick Locke has a shot that is also saved by Cantley.

We weren’t at our best today, but we didn’t look like conceding with the keeper and back four dealing with everything thrown at them. Huge congratulations to them all for not conceding in December, some achievement.

I wish all the supporters a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2026.

FULL TIME

 East Stirlingshire 0

Broxburn Athletic 3 (O’Kane, Robertson, Douglas)

VIEW FROM THE ALBYN MAN OF THE MATCH

No poll this week. It was given to Jack McConnell who was excellent all afternoon.

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE– Thomas Denholm

ASSISTANT REFEREE’S– Robbie Fraser & Daniel Boyle

Next Game:

Saturday the 3^rd of January

Bo’ness United (H)

Lowland League

Albyn Park

3pm