Venue: Home

Attendance 140

Pre – Season Friendly: Broxburn Athletic v Gartcairn 15 July 2023

Broxburn welcomed West Premier League newcomers Gartcairn to the Albyn for the fourth pre-season friendly, on another warm sunny day. Broxburn made 7 changes from the starting line up used in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Gala Fairydean Rovers. Watt replaced Donoghue in goal, Page, D.Nimmo, Douglas, Brass, Trialist No. 7 and Locke replaced Campbell, Downie, Heath, Gillen, Trialist 21 and Turner.

Gartcairn had a great 2022/23 season being promoted into the West Premier league as champions. They kicked off their pre-season friendlies last weekend beating Thornton Hibs 6-0.

The visitors almost got off to the perfect start in the 2nd minute Aitken sliding a great ball through to Burns who lobbed Watt but his effort cleared the bar. Although the referee’s assistant did flag the centre forward offside.

Broxburn went straight down the other end with Locke playing the ball into the penalty box to try and find Brass but Dunlop anticipated well and cleared.

In 8 minutes Locke played a brilliant pass inside Boyle for Munro to run on to and he drilled in a cross which McGlauchlan defended well at the near post.

A minute later and a mis-placed pass from Crerand allowed Bremner to advance his pass to Brass was just overhit and the chance was gone.

Aitken slid a great ball through to Burns but Page brilliantly got to the ball ahead of the striker and guided the ball back to Watt.

The same combination for Gartcairn did well again Burns thwarted by an ever alert Watt in the home goal who got to the ball first at the edge of the penalty area.

In 17 minutes Douglas sent Munro off on a run down the right, his cross being blocked by Boyle at the expense of a corner. Davidson took the corner D.Nimmo got his his head to it but couldn’t direct on target being pressured well by McGlauchlan.

Gartcairn then had a real let off goalkeeper Pirie dwelt on the ball and was caught by Brass who tried to shoot but the keeper did well to recover and save.

Another good home move saw Brass head flicking the ball on to Douglas who got into the box and hit a shot with his left foot which just cleared the bar.

In the 24th minute Boyle’s cross from the left found Bain who controlled well but his shot was blocked almost breaking for Burns but Watt claimed the ball before the striker.

Two minutes later Bremner threaded a pass out to Douglas on the right he got to the bye line cutting back for Brass who held the ball up and fed Munro who cracked a shot for goal which was blocked for a corner.

Davidson took the kick which found the head of DOUGLAS who powerfully headed the ball into the net. Time 27 minutes.

Gartcairn had another let off in 29 minutes from a long ball forward Pirie and Boyle seemed to leave to each other to deal with Brass got inbetween them and got a foot to the ball but his effort went over the bar.

MUNRO then showed great awareness dispossessing Mitchell in midfield and taking a few strides forward before drilling the ball low which Pirie got a hand to but couldn’t prevent the ball going into the bottom right corner of the net to put the Brox 2 up. Time 32 minutes.

Things got even better when Bremner once again fed the ever willing Munro on the right his cross blocked for a corner by McGlauchlan. Davidson took the kick again from the right Mitchell cleared to the edge of the area, D.Nimmo chipped the ball back into the penalty area finding BRASS where he steadied himself before firing the ball into the right hand corner of the net. Time 34 minutes.

In a free flowing Broxburn passing move Munro hit a tremendous cross deep to the back post which found Millar arriving at full tilt his fierce header brilliantly saved by Pirie and scrambled clear.

In 43 minutes a clear opportunity for Gartcairn to pull a goal back Boyle’s cross saw Page slip leaving Burns with a free header but he could only direct his effort straight at Watt.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 3 – 0 Gartcairn
Changes at half time for Broxburn were T15 for Munro and Campbell for Millar. Gartcairn replaced Bain with Stevenson.
In 50 minutes Campbell made good ground down the left his cross well defended by Stevenson.
A long ball forward by Crerand trying to seek out Burns but Watt was aware of the possible danger and got to the ball first at the edge of his penalty area.
In 56 minutes from a short taken free kick Davidson played to T7 on the left whose cross was blocked for a corner. Davidson’s delivery was pinpoint once again with D.Nimmo chesting the ball goalwards which McGlauchlan did well to clear off the line.
Bremner took a free kick 3 minutes later which curled round the wall but was collected by keeper Pirie.
Campbell was penalised for a foul on the hour which Aitken took, Stevenson got his head to the ball but couldn’t direct on target.
More Broxburn changes followed Brass, Locke and Trialist No.7 were replaced by Downie, Heath and Gray.
Downie spurned a great chance set up by Douglas, with his first touch having a clear sight of goal he shot wide left from 12 yards.
In 65 minutes Crerand went off for Gartcairn Lermouth coming on as replacement.
Another great Broxburn passing move saw Campbell get in a cross which McGlauchlan did well to get to and prevent Douglas from adding another goal.
Gray was fouled by Mitchell in 68 minutes 22 yards out in a central position. He took the kick himself which deflected off the wall and through to Pirie.
In 75 minutes the Brox unlocked the Gartcairn defence again Campbell’s cross was met by McGlauchlan whose clearance went up in the air, Pirie came out to try and claim but only succeeded in knocking the ball to BREMNER who volleyed the ball into the net from close range.
Gartcairn responded Burns cracking a great shot from 30 yards just over the bar.
From a Heath error in 81 minutes Burns tried his luck again but his effort was straight at Watt.
In 89 minutes Burns went on a run down the left beating D.Nimmo but his effort was blocked by Trialist No. 15 for a corner. Aitken took the kick but Downie cleared.
FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 4– 0 Gartcairn

Referee  Mr  R. Struthers   Assistants  Mr. S. McArthur, Mr. S. Robertson

Attendance 139

Pre – Season Friendly: Broxburn Athletic v Gala Fairydean Rovers 11 July 2023 

Broxburn’s third pre-season friendly saw Lowland League Gala Fairydean Rovers make a trip to the Albyn. Broxburn made 5 changes to the starting side from Saturday’s 2-1 win v Dundee North End, Donoghue, Downie, Heath, Gillen and a trialist replaced Watt, Page, Douglas, Brass and Gray.

Gala Fairydean got their pre-season friendlies started last Saturday drawing 1-1 at home with Kilsyth Rangers.

Broxburn took the lead on 10 minutes when a lobbed pass back to the keeper saw him with a heavey touch that broke to HEATH who kept his composure to round the keeper and slot the ball home .

Gala tried to respond to going a goal down in 16 minutes Drammeh went on a good run down the right which was stopped illegally by Millar just outside the box on the right. Reid took the kick but his effort hit the Brox wall.

Two minutes later Heath fashioned a chance for himself on 18 minutes hitting a shot which crashed off the corner of bar and post and scrambled away, the danger wasn’t over with Downie getting on the end of a cross which Dick was fortunate to save with his feet when knowing little about it.

In 23 minutes a long ball forward from keeper Dick caught out Millar, Drammeh was quick to capitalise advancing into the Brox box but Millar recovered well to win a goal kick off the forward.

Gala were having a decent spell Boyle advancing down the right and sending over a dangerous cross which Munro did brilliantly to head flick away from trouble.

In 26 minutes Watt threaded a ball through to Drammeh but Donoghue made a fantastic save at the Gala players feet to thwart the danger.

The Brox forced 3 corners in quick succession Campbell almost squeezing in a header at the back post but Dick tipped over. Davidson hit a shot from the edge of the box from the second one which deflected for another corner. It was 3^rd time lucky from Heath’s pin point delivery BREMNER with a glancing header, the ball flying into the left hand corner of the net. Time 32 minutes.

A great Brox passing move in 36 minutes ended with Gillen firing over a great cross which the Gala defence just prevented from going to Downie.

In the 43^rd minute Semple forced his way into the box and slipped the ball to Watt whose shot was blocked for a corner. The corner was played short and a cross fired in to the box where Donoghue was adjudged to have been fouled.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 2 – 0 Gala Fairydean Rovers

In 50 minutes Watson replaced Boyle for Gala.

Drammeh was penalised for a foul on the right, Heath took the free kick but Dick claimed well.

In 55 minutes Drammeh won a corner off Campbell. Watt took the corner but Downie rose well to clear.

There was more urgency about the Gala play now and this paid off when substitute Watson got to the bye line with his cross deadly accurate for REID to head into the left side of the net.

Gillen had to leave the field with an injury and was replaced by Wilson in 59 minutes.

The right side was proving a focal point of the visitors attack Watson again crossing well to find Ostel whose shot was well blocked and cleared.

In 62 minutes Douglas and Brass replaced Downie and Heath.

Three minutes later and another home change D.Nimmo replaced Millar.

In 66 minutes Turner took a corner on the right BRASS pealed off his marker and stooped to head the ball into the left corner of the net to restore the Brox’s 2 goal lead.

A minute later and Wilson worked his way into the box on the left and curled a fine cross to the back post which just eluded Douglas.

Watson was once again a danger on the right his cross this time flicked away from danger by Page who also dealt with the cross that followed from the left clearing his lines well.

In 71 minutes Turner also left the field injured Gray replaced him.

A trialist No.7 came on for Broxburn to replace Bremner in 75 minutes.

A minute later Douglas controlled the ball well outside the box and passed to Brass who cracked his shot over the bar.

Gala worked a nice opportunity for Reid whose shot was good but Donoghue did well to save at the expense of a corner. Nothing came of the corner.

Scott was then booked for Gala for a poor challenge on Davidson who had to go off injured leaving the Brox with only 10 men.

Gray lost the ball in midfield in 84 minutes with Ostel played in and hitting a strong shot which Donoghue was the equal of as he parried and collected.

From a corner in 86 minutes Gray sent over a great ball which had the visiting defence struggling to clear which they were fortuitous to do so.

Gala forced a corner in 88 minutes which Watt took but Page rose imperiously to clear with his head.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 3– 1 Gala Fairydean Rovers

Referee  Mr F. Bushell  Assistants  Miss N. Westwood , Mr C. McFeat

Attendance 132

Pre – Season Friendly: Broxburn Athletic v Dundee North End 8 July 2023 

Broxburn made 4 changes from Tuesday’s starting line up against Tranent, Millar for D.Nimmo, Brass for Heath, Davidson for Wilson and Bremner for the injured Sayers as they welcomed Midland League side Dundee North End to the Albyn for the second pre-season friendly.

North End had a fine season in the Midland League last season finishing 5^th in the league and winning a trophy the Quest Precision Engineering Cup defeating league champions Carnoustie Panmure 4-1. They were also in action in midweek losing out narrowly by 2-1 to Highland League Brechin City.

The early exchanges were quite even with with a Brass effort being blocked the only real opening chance wise of note.

In the 23^rd minute a free kick from the left was played to the back post on the right where Smith got to it but he couldn’t direct his effort on goal with the ball going out for a goal kick.

The Brox broke the deadlock Brass winning a corner kick on the right off Rice. Gray took the corner with BRASS unchallenged in the centre of the goalmouth he headed into the left hand corner of the net. Time 28 minutes.

North End responded positively winning a corner on the right Devine took the kick picking out Rice at the edge of the area who volleyed the ball which was blocked and cleared by Turner.

The visitors were passing the ball about well Bollan and Shearer combining nicely to win a corner off Page.

Devine took the kick short to Kidd whose cross was claimed confidently by Watt.

In 37 minutes Page played a long ball forward for Brass to chase but his pass was just overhit and out for a goal kick.

A minute later and Devine was fouled by Turner around 35 yards from goal , Kidd took the free kick playing an intelligent ball out to Gibb whose cross was a good one finding the head of Smith who flashed his header just wide of the right post.

In 41 minutes Bremner played a neat ball forward to Davidson who was crowded out by the North End defence and the ball cleared.

North End had another good chance in 45 minutes after some good pressure the ball broke to Montgomery who hurried his effort from the edge of the penalty box which cleared the cross bar.

Into injury time and Davidson played a nice ball down the wing to Trialist No. 2 whose cross in was right on the money Adam doing well in the visitors goal to collect.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 0 Dundee North End

Both teams made changes at half time Heath replacing Gray and Rollo coming on for Bollan.

In 51 minutes Rollo played the ball to Gibson and then onto Devine who got in a cross which Turner did well to block.

Then right of the blue the ball fell perfectly for MONTGOMERY 25 yards out who volleyed the ball into the right hand corner of the net past Watt to tie the score. Time 52 minutes.

In 54 minutes Broxburn made 4 changes D.Nimmo, Gillen, Downie and Wilson for Page, Douglas, Brass and Turner.

A fairly innocuous long ball forward was watched closely by North End keeper Adam who ended up tipping the ball over the bar for a corner. Heath took the corner but was cleared by the visitors.

In 58 minutes Davidson almost was caught out by good pressure from Montgomery but Watt was alert to the danger and collected before the North End player could create a chance.

On the hour Kidd and Shearer went off to be replaced by McLaughlin and Garden.

Devine was having a good game for North End, he cut in from the left and got off a shot which was blocked and cleared by D.Nimmo.

In the following minute Devine was sent clear but Watt again was alert to the danger and brilliantly dived at the wingers feet at concession of just a corner.

In 68 minutes a Campbell cross from the left was headed wide by Downie.

Another Brox change followed in 75 minutes Davidson went off Trialist No.12 replaced him.

In 85 minutes a nice passing move between Wilson, Campbell and Gillen lead to Campbell getting a shot off which was blocked and cleared.

Wilson and Campbell once again combined on the left with a cross only partially cleared to Gillen whose shot was well struck and saved well by Adam but he couldn’t hold on to the ball it breaking to DOWNIE who tapped the ball into the net from 3 yards out. Time 87 minutes.

Gillen got in on the right wing but his cross was too near Adam who collected the ball confidently.

Gibson then fashioned a shooting chance in injury time for himself but his effort was straight at Watt.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 2 – 1 Dundee North End

Referee  Mr. C. Stevens   Assistants  Mt. J.Crocker , Mr K. Linejs

Pre – Season Friendly: Broxburn Athletic v Tranent Juniors 4 July 2023

 Attendance 200

Broxburn welcomed Tranent for the first of the 2023/24 pre season friendlies at the Albyn. Four of the clubs new signings made their Brox debuts from the start Bob Watt in goals, Greg Page, Kai Wilson and Lewis Turner.

Tranent had a great first season in the Lowland league and new manager Max Christie brought a strong squad with him for his sides first pre-season warm up game.

In the 2^nd minute Walsh went for a run down the left matched by Sayers who conceded a corner. Home keeper Watt collected the corner kick confidently.

Tranent dominated the ball in the early stages passing it around well making it difficult for the Brox to build any possession.

Walsh was prominent again for the visitors in 10 minutes hitting a great crossfield ball which Broxburn’s trialist No. 2 cut out well and headed back to Watt.

In the 11^th minute Gray tried to find Heath who took a heavy touch and lost possession. The same combination tried again a minute later but Gray’s pass was too heavy and ran through to Jack.

Broxburn lost possession 30 yards out in 13 minutes Walsh playing a neat pass to Maughan whose shot took a deflection and just went wide. Once again Watt claimed the corner kick confidently.

In 14 minutes Broxburn got a foothold in the visitors half Douglas head flicked the ball on to Heath who’s cross was cleared by Bauld for a throw. From the throw Sayers played the ball inside to GRAY whose sheer persistence paid off when he rode a couple of challenges and fired the ball past Jack into the right corner of the net to give the Brox the lead.

Walsh was fouled on the left wing with Irvine taking the resulting free kick, but Page headed the cross clear powerfully.

Irvine then did well in 22 minutes creating a shooting chance 20 yards out but his effort was straight at Watt.

The left side was where the visitors looked their most dangerous and it struck gold for them in 24 minutes WATSON beat Sayers all ends up advanced into the penalty box and curled a great shot past Watt and off the inside of the right post and into the net to tie the score.

Tranent’s passing was a joy to watch at times McIntyre and Watson combining well down the left with the former’s cross headed out for a corner by D.Nimmo.

In the 35^th minute Brett’s cross from the right saw a clash between Maughan and Watt as they both went for the ball which thankfully both emerged from fit to continue.

Four minutes later Douglas sent Heath on a run down the right, his cross was a good one which Horne got to and conceded a corner. Gray took the kick, but the visitors cleared.

In 44 minutes, Walsh fed Murphy who beat 2 Broxburn players before firing just wide of the left hand post.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 1 Tranent Juniors

Tranent made changes at half time Miller, Ross and Jones replaced Maughan, Higginbottom and Walsh.

Watson was looking lively down the left and drove over a great cross in 48 minutes but none of his team mates could get within touch distance.

Gray played a great through ball to Douglas, but he was flagged offside.

The Broxburn trialist fouled Miller around 22 yards from the goal right of centre. JONES took the free kick with his left foot curling his shot over Watt and into the top left hand corner of the net. Time 51 minutes.

In the 54^th minute Brett moved infield and slipped the ball to ex Brox player Ross but he sclaffed his effort and the chance was lost.

Watson and McIntyre worked a great opportunity down the left wing the former’s cross being on the money but no one in pink could take advantage.

In 56 minutes, a great home passing move saw Douglas feed Heath on right who slid a great pass back to Douglas whose shot was well smothered by Jack. The ball came back in from the right with the Brox having 3 efforts blocked one off the line by Horne with his head.

In the following minute both teams made changes. Campbell, Miller and Downie replaced Sayers, Heath and Douglas for Broxburn.

Walker and Greig replaced Brett and Irvine for Tranent.

Turner was booked for a foul on Jones in 59 minutes.

Gray was fouled around 22 yards out in a central area but his free kick was always wide right.

In 67 minutes, Watson went off Faulds coming on for the visitors.

McConnell came on for Turner in the 69^th minute.

In the 72^nd minute from a corner on the right Jones corner was headed in by BAULD with the Brox defence motionless.

From another corner in the 85^th minute taken by Miller the ball went to the back post with Walker screwing the ball high in the air and over the bar.

In the following minute the Broxburn trialist No.2 played a great long ball forward which Downie couldn’t quite get under control to get in a shot.

The trialist did well again in 89 minutes playing in a deep cross to the back post which Campbell did well to get a touch to but couldn’t direct goal wards.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 3 Tranent Juniors

Referee Mr. C. Stirling    Assistants  Mr. S. Robertson , Mr. J. Gardiner