Broxburn vs BRFC Match Report 24-25
Berwick slipped to their fourth consecutive league defeat on a disappointing afternoon at Broxburn Athletic.
A contentious Gary Brass opener gave Broxburn a half time lead before a second Brass goal and an Errol Douglas strike gave the hosts a 3-0 victory.
Thomas Scobbie made just the one change from the Scottish Cup defeat at Forfar with Jamie Pyper making his second debut for the club, replacing Matty Collins.
Despite the bad recent form, Berwick started the game positively and created the first real opening of the game when St Johnstone loanee Ben McCrystal danced past three Broxburn players into the penalty area but his effort went about a yard wide of the post.
Broxburn have made a strong start to life in the Lowland League and, despite being made to battle for everything by Berwick, they did have moments where they showed their quality when Owen Wardell’s dangerous cross evaded both Brass and Douglas before Alassan Jones inexplicably took an awful touch when he had space to potentially have a shot at goal.
Berwick were still well in the game and, when they did get the ball down and play a little, they fashioned another opportunity. More good work from McCrystal saw his shot blocked but it fell to Kane O’Connor 30 yards from goal but he saw his effort go wide of the post.
Wardell on the right was beginning to show his quality and he almost created a goal for Broxburn on the half hour. He was one on one with Owen Calder and made enough room to deliver a brilliant cross for Brass but his header was tipped over by Callum Antell.
However, five minutes later, Berwick went behind in contentious circumstances. A ball through to Scott McCrory-Irving saw the midfielder not flagged despite being about a yard offside and he squared it to Brass who slotted past Antell. There were huge protestations from the Berwick defenders and fans but the goal was given.
Just before half time, Berwick came close to getting level. McCrystal’s corner from the left found Jamie McCormack who did brilliantly to head down into the turf but Brass was on the line to prevent the equaliser.
It was another promising first half performance from Berwick and there was another opportunity five minutes after the break to get level. Jamie Watson got free down the right wing and delivered a decent cross into the box but Lewis Barr wasn’t able to get on the end of it.
Five minutes later, Broxburn doubled their lead with a goal that nobody could question. Good possession in the Berwick half saw Kyle Bell release Luke Morris with a brilliant pass down the right and his low cross found Brass in the area who swept home a fantastic team goal.
Berwick were beginning to hold on a little and almost conceded a third in quick order. A goalmouth scramble saw Berwick defenders unable to clear the ball and ended with Wardell’s effort being saved on the line by Antell.
Broxburn were beginning to turn the screw and, with 20 minutes to go, they got their third. A hopeful long ball by Wardell was chased down by Douglas, who held off substitute Alfie Robinson and rifled the ball beyond Antell for his 12th league goal of the season.
Things got even worse for Berwick when Laidlaw, who had barely been on the pitch 20 minutes as a substitute, went off with a recurrence of a shoulder injury from an innocuous challenge and the ten men of Berwick almost conceded a fourth but were relieve to see Fionn Kay inexplicably head wide from about six yards out.
The defeat, coupled with other results, means Berwick slip to 14th in the Lowland League although a win in the game in hand would move the ‘Gers up to 10th.
Up next is a midweek trip to Newtown Park to take on Bo’ness United in more Lowland League action.
Eion Smith
