Ho ho ho, merry gifting season to you all. The gift is affordable Scottish fitba, and the wrapping is the Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland Football League. 

Let’s see what we can offer you from Santa’s workshop this weekend…

Celtic B vs University of Stirling

Celtic B enjoyed a fascinating, if slightly disappointing, 0-0 draw with Tranent last weekend after I had talked it up as the Neutral’s Pick for the match day. If you attended, I hope you enjoyed it. If you didn’t, then please pretend that you were recommended it by someone else. Three wins in their last five will have Celtic B feeling confident ahead of this one.

University of Stirling on the other hand enjoyed a Desmond Tutu with Bo’ness United last weekend to make it two draws and two wins in their last five matches. Finn Moffett’s goals have been vital for Uni this season and he’ll want to add to his tally as a wee Christmas present for his manager this weekend.

Broomhill vs Bo’ness United

Broomhill were unlucky to lose their match with Linlithgow Rose at the death last Friday night. The improvement in their play from the beginning of the season is marked and manager Zander Diamond and the board will feel vindicated that their faith in their young squad is starting to pay off.

That being said, the performances are much improved but they are still struggling to haul in the points and find themselves second bottom of the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League table (albeit with a game in hand over their nearest rivals). Results against sides like Bo’ness United will likely become important as the season reaches the business end.

Bo’ness’s season has been all about achieving an acceptable median. Six wins, seven draws and five defeats have them sitting pretty in mid-table but they’ll be keen to get three points on the board after three draws and two defeats in their last five. 

Cowdenbeath vs Albion Rovers

Cowdenbeath clocked a much-needed win against Linlithgow Rose a couple of weeks ago before following it up with an impressive 0-0 draw against Caledonian Braves last weekend. Their supporters will be hoping for more points on the board ahead of a tough run-in and they have an opportunity to get things back on track at home against Albion Rovers.

For Rovers’ part, their recent form has taken a wee bit of a dip with two losses and two wins in their last five, but Sandy Clark’s side have been consistently strong this season and will be looking to kick on in the race for the top five. Peter Mendy’s goals have done wonders for Rovers this season, the striker already in double figures for the league season. The Cliftonhill faithful will be hoping for more this weekend.

Gala Fairydean Rovers vs Gretna 2008

No you try and predict what Gala Fairydean Rovers and Gretna 2008 are going to do on any given week. I’m done. I have nothing left. 

Gretna lost 5-0 against Albion Rovers last time out. Gala drew 2-2 with Civil Service Strollers. Their form in the last five is broadly similar and matches between these two teams in the past have been pretty exciting. 

I can’t even begin to predict it… so you’ll just have to go along! This one is this weekend’s Neutral’s Pick.

Linlithgow Rose vs Cumbernauld Colts

Three wins in the last five for Linlithgow Rose has seen them secure their fifth place in the Lowland League, but a defeat against a Cowdenbeath side that many Rose fans would have expected to beat handily may have set some alarm bells ringing. 

Gordon Herd’s side got back to winning ways against Broomhill last weekend but the victory was far from assured and it took a goal at the death to secure all three points. This weekend’s visit of the league’s bottom side will provide a tough test against a team for whom points are a must.

Cumbernauld Colts have lost three in their last five but last weekend’s victory over Hearts B will have provided a much needed boost for new boss Craig Malcolm who has been working to strengthen the struggling squad over the last couple of weeks.

This one will be interesting, that’s for sure!

Tranent vs Caledonian Braves

If there is going to be a title race in this season’s Park’s Motor Group Lowland League, then Tranent will be in it. Their form is solid and their squad seems pretty cohesive. A 0-0 draw with Celtic B (currently in second) won’t have been the ideal result for them, but it keeps them in the hunt and they find themselves just a point off second place and six points behind leaders East Kilbride.

Caledonian Braves are in a similar position but a point better off, having taken a point from their last match against Cowdenbeath. These are two title protagonists and they’ll both be looking to give East Kilbride a run for their money and push towards the SPFL themselves.

A REAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR THE NEUTRAL YOU MIGHT SAY (but we can’t pick Tranent twice in two weeks, can we?)

It’s good luck also to Civil Service Strollers, East Kilbride, Berwick Rangers and Broxburn Athletic who are all in cup action this weekend. 

I guess all that remains is for me to wish you the hap-happiest season of all. We’ll see you for a wee mid-season review from supporters (and from me for clubs we don’t get any volunteers for!) next week.

Title photo: Cumbernauld Colts vs Albion Rovers (CCR Photography)

Berwick Rangers 1-7 East Kilbride

At a certain point, you have to just say that more than one team in the Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland League are very, very good at playing the sport of football. 

East Kilbride are one such team, travelling as they did to the merry old land of England on Saturday with the express intention of gaining three points in the title race. 

Did they need to smash Berwick Rangers 7-1? Who knows, but smash them they did as the Wee Gers barely managed to get into gear as East Kilbride turned on the style, with doubles for John Robertson and Cami Elliott putting the hosts to the sword. 

Bo’ness United 3-3 Celtic B

Celtic’s B team continued their unbeaten record in the league, but slipped to fourth in the table thanks to their fifth draw of the season at Newtown Park. 

Bo’ness United were 3-0 down in the 60th minute, and staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat ahead of their Junior Cup match against Kilsyth scheduled to take place the next day(?!), until in the 85th minute Michael Travis goal looked to have given them a consolation. 

Further goals in the dying minutes from Smart Osadolor and Lewis Duffy brought Bo’ness back from the brink of defeat and gave the BUs a bounce going into their Junior Cup match, which they won!

They must be knackered…

Broxburn Athletic 5-0 East Stirlingshire

One Shire fan described his team’s defence as looking like they ‘just don’t care’ at the weekend as Pat Scullion’s side capitulated 5-0 to free-scoring Broxburn. 

Scullion would have hoped for more from his charges following their midweek routing of Cumbernauld Colts, but it was more of the same from a team struggling for impetus in the Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland League this season. 

From Broxburn’s perspective it was all too easy as they kept the heid and scored two very early goals to settle any doubt that they might have difficulty in the match. 

Cumbernauld Colts 1-1 Albion Rovers

Chances are that this one was always going to be a close run thing between two evenly matched sides, but with Cumbernauld Colts reduced to nine men with nearly twenty minutes left, Albion Rovers supporters will likely be left disappointed that their sideweren’t able to secure all three points. 

Caledonian Braves 3-2 Hearts B

Braves ‘could have made things much easier for themselves’ according to their manager Ricky Waddell, but even he will be delighted that three points against the young full-timers (and Jamie MacDonald) keeps his side on top of the league. 

Hearts will be disappointed that their comeback ultimately amounted to nothing, but Braves are no easy prospect this season and a brace from Ross McNeil and a finish from the impressive midfielder Ryan Murray was enough to see off the Jambos. 

Civil Service Strollers 4-2 Gala Fairydean Rovers

THESE TEAMS DO NOT DO BORING GAMES. Our Neutral’s Pick for this weekend turned out to be an utter banger as Gary Jardine’s Civil Service Strollers won out over Gala Fairydean Rovers in a match that was jam packed with incident.

Strollers were 2-0 down inside twenty minutes at Christie Gillies Park, but were level just ten minutes later! Alfie Smith and Mackie Scott brought them back into it, and they were ahead on 33 minutes when Marc Laird converted a penalty. 

Laird stepped up again in the 66th minute, converting another penalty to completely turn things around for Strollers. 

Drunken Groundhopper was there to take it in (always drink responsibly, folks):

Gretna 2008 1-1 Cowdenbeath 

This one had the potential to be very evenly matched and that was how it transpired at Raydale Park. Gretna 2008 manager Vinnie Parker described the game as ‘hardly a classic’ as the sides largely cancelled each other out. 

Stuart Douglas was on the scoresheet for Gretna, while Rhys Walker was the scorer for the Blue Brazil. 

Broomhill 0-3 Tranent

Broomhil held on until the second half against a Tranent side who are now on a run of four wins in five. Broomhill manager Zander Diamond praised his players’ attitude, but doubts will be beginning to creep in as another encouraging opening 60 minutes leads to a last 30 minutes of collapse. Broomhill need to get points on the board, and soon, to avoid relying on other teams to move them away from the relegation zone. 

University of Stirling 1-3 Linlithgow Rose

A fairly tight game saw Linlithgow Rose come away with three points and third place in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League as they battled hard to win 3-1 at Forthbank on Sunday. 

The game was fairly even, and it took a penalty for Rose to come back into the game at 1-0 down, but from there they took control of the match, a gorgeous low strike from Dylan Paterson – a real daisy cutter – putting them into the lead before a last minute goal from Calum Rae sealed the points. 

A week of cup action is our teams’ reward for their endeavours at the weekend. Keep an eye on social media for more from the Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland Football League!

Albion Rovers vs Gala Fairydean Rovers

Coming into this one on the back of a 4-4 draw with East Kilbride, Gala Fairydean Rovers will feel like their season is finally getting off the ground. 

Albion Rovers on the other hand might feel that meeting an ascendent Gala at their own ground might be a bit of a tough test given their travails away at Linlithgow Rose last weekend. 

This one is definitely a match to keep an eye on, as there’s plenty to play for. 

Berwick Rangers vs Caledonian Braves

Berwick Rangers have suffered a dip in form at exactly the wrong moment as they prepare to welcome high flyin’ Caledonian Braves to Shielfield Park. The Wee Gers have taken a few dunts in recent weeks, but Braves are themselves looking to get back to the early season form that so impressed. 

Ross McNeil and Liam Buchanan are two strikers with bags of Lowland League pedigree that it’ll be well worth keeping an eye on this weekend. 

Bo’ness United vs Gretna 2008

If I’d said that Gretna would have bitten my arm off to be in ninth place in the league with nine points at this stage in the season, I suppose I would now be nursing a bloody stump. Vinnie Parker’s side come into this one on the back of a 2-0 loss to Broxburn Athletic but nobody can dampen the good vibes at Raydale Park at the moment. 

It’s something they’ll be aiming to take on the road as they visit eleventh placed Bo’ness United who have had a mixed start to the season but managed some respite and recuperation time last week when their away match with Broomhill fell victim to the weather. 

It’s a big one in store at Newtown Park!

Broxburn Athletic vs East Kilbride

This one is our Neutral’s Pick for obvious reasons. Broxburn wouldn’t count as a ‘surprise package’ by any means but the East of Scotland champions have sliced and diced most of their opposition this season and find themselves in third, one point behind their visitors this week and with a game in hand. 

East Kilbride’s strengths are both legion and obvious, and they will be looking to consolidate their position as the top promotable team (and maybe even o’erleap the non-promotable team at the top) this weekend. 

Celtic B vs Tranent

Tranent are hitting form at just the right time for this one. The Big T put three past East Stirlingshire last weekend and look to be rediscovering some of the performances that so impressed last season. They’ll need it as they take on top of the table Celtic B. 

Civil Service Strollers vs Broomhill

Keep an eye out for this one as it could provide some interesting results! Broomhill go into this still looking for their first win while Civil Service Strollers are looking to bag their first win since early August when they defeated Cowdenbeath at home. 

I know I’m never done saying that the pitch at Christie Gillies Park is a real advantage to Strollers, but it is, so I’m not going to stop. Broomhill will need to get on top of that if they want to take anything out of the match. 

Cumbernauld Colts vs Hearts B

Colts are looking to build on a 3-0 win over Berwick Rangers last weekend as they welcome Hearts B to Broadwood. Hearts B looked insurmountable in the early season running but their form has dropped off. They’ll be looking to the experience of goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald as they push for another win to climb back up the table. 

East Stirlingshire vs University of Stirling

A Stirlingshire derby? Anyone? Maybe not. East Stirlingshire have disappointed so far this season, stuck with Broomhill in being unable to get out of the blocks with a win. They’ll see this weekend as an opportunity to do just that as University of Stirling come to The Falkirk Stadium with what could charitably be called ‘inconsistent’ form. 

Good luck predicting this one, I’m not even going to try. 

Linlithgow Rose vs Cowdenbeath

Linlithgow Rose have gone about their business quietly this season. Three wins and three defeats in their opening six games, but they’ve impressed a number of times. Cowdenbeath’s form has been a little all over the place, The Blue Brazil will be acutely aware that a loss could put them in the clutches of the teams below them, and they will be hoping to head to Prestonfield and kickstart their season with a win over the Rose. 

Well, well, well. Here we are again. It’s Matchday 01 in the Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland Football League and it was an absolute cracker to kick things off. Let’s take a look back as we celebrate the goals, the saves, the travelling fans, the pies and the hard work of our club’s media teams!

Join us every Tuesday as we look back on the matchday that was!

FRIDAY

Celtic B 1-0 Cumbernauld Colts

A close-run thing to open proceedings in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League, as Cumbernauld Colts made the short hop down the A73 to visit the Excelsior Stadium, home of Celtic’s academy team. 

Colts went into the game with several debutants. Joe Murphy and Patrick Moy came in from Broomhill, Robbie McGale joined from Bonnyrigg, and Yan Godik took his place between the posts having joined from University of Stirling. Big things are expected from David Proctor’s team this season but a momentary lapse in concentration punctuated an even game as Daniel Kelly took advantage and gave Celtic B all three points on the opening night.

Heart of Midlothian B 4-1 East Stirlingshire

Heart of Midlothian B made their early season presence felt with a convincing 4-1 victory over East Stirlingshire at Ainslie Park. East Stirlingshire endured a tough season by their standards in 2023/24 and their fans would have been hoping for a better result in the capital having gone in level at half time thanks to a goal from new striker Greig Spence whose strike in the 23rd minute cancelled out an early own goal.

Hearts’ fitness told over the piece and despite a very positive performance, East Stirlingshire conceded three goals in the second half with a deadlock-breaker from Sandilands, before strikes from Ross and Plank put the icing on the cake for Liam Fox’s side.

Hearts B coach Liam Fox told club media: “We’ll get better than we were tonight, I know that, but to come away having scored four goals and got the three points, it’s an okay start.”

Attendance: 304

SATURDAY

Berwick Rangers 1-0 Linlithgow Rose

(Berwick Rangers on Youtube)

A goal from returning hero Liam Buchanan was enough to separate the sides at MKM Shielfield Park. An even game was punctuated by a series of excellent saves by Wee Rangers ‘keeper Callum Antell which kept Berwick ahead. Linlithgow Rose manager Gordon Herd bemoaned his side’s early lapse which allowed Buchanan to break the deadlock. From there he told club media: “Over the course of the game we did enough to at least get a point. In the second half we created at least ten, fifteen chances but fair play to Berwick. They put their bodies on the line and were determined not to concede.”

Hear from Linlithgow Rose manager Gordon Herd: 

By their own admission, Berwick spent the latter part of the second half with their backs to the wall and their supporters will be delighted to take all three points. 

Attendance: 513

Bo’ness United 2-3 University of Stirling

(Bo’ness United on Youtube)

A hotly anticipated opening day clash saw Bo’ness United welcome University of Stirling to Newtown Park. Uni opened the scoring following a peach of a ball from new signing Jack Hodge which found Finn Moffett and his touch allowed Ben Woloszyn to open the scoring from close range.  

University of Stirling, dominating the first half and going in 2-0 up, as Moffett took his opportunity to score one of his own. The second half saw University of Stirling continue to press the advantage, but it was Bo’ness who got the next goal with fifteen minutes left in the match. Kieran Mitchell converted a beautiful volley from the edge of the box to bring the BUs back into the match.

Lewis Duffy equalised for Bo’ness with ten minutes to go and it looked for all the world like they might take the three points with a fantastic comeback. 

Uni had other ideas as great work from Jenkins down the left hand side found Tallen who slotted the ball under the Bo’ness trialist goalkeeper to secure the three points for Chris Geddes’ side.

Gaffer’s thoughts on today’s 1s opening victory over Bo’ness Utd pic.twitter.com/rillJVaPjs

— University of Stirling Football Club (@StirlingUniFC) July 27, 2024

(University of Stirling FC on X, formerly Twitter)

Attendance: Unknown

Broxburn Athletic 3-1 Broomhill

Broxburn Athletic made their debut in the Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland League when they welcomed Zander Diamond’s new look Broomhill side to Albyn Park. 

It was the promoted East of Scotland side who took the early advantage as Gary Brass opened the scoring just after the twenty minute mark. Nick Locke doubled their advantage with a deft flick over the goalkeeper just before half time, sending the home fans into raptures as their team looked set for all three points.

(Norrie Work on Youtube)

Broomhill pulled one back through Kris Amponsah, recently recruited from Civil Service Strollers, as the Dumbarton side struggled for fluidity in the midfield. New man in goal Evan Columbine made a series of excellent saves to keep the Broom in it but Errol Douglas, a striker who is no stranger to Lowland League supporters, sealed the three points for Broxburn with twenty minutes to go.

Hear from Broomhill manager Zander Diamond:

(Broomhill FC on X, formerly Twitter)

Attendance: 385

Caledonian Braves 6-0 Gala Fairydean Rovers

Caledonian Braves have had an interesting off-season with Wefunder investment model seeing new co-owners join the club, and many of them were online to enjoy a stream of their new club’s first game of the season. They would have been delighted by the performance too, with Braves running out 6-0 winners over Gala Fairydean Rovers.

(Caledonian Braves on X, formerly Twitter)

In truth, the scoreline could have been worse for the Borders side as a series of last ditch heroics in defence kept the scoreline down. 

Scorer of the first goal, Ross McNeil, was the recipient of the first ‘Weird Lowland League Moment’ as Lowland League match ball sponsors Eagleview Event Center named a Highland calf after him following him opening the Braves’ account for the season,

Hear from Braves debutant goalscorer, Reg McLaren:

Attendance: 91

Cowdenbeath 2-2 Tranent

It was a classic for the neutral as Cowdenbeath rescued a point with a late penalty at Central Park. Four goals, a red card and plenty of entertainment was just what the doctor ordered for the season opener between two historic sides, with former Edinburgh City star Danny Handling opening the scoring for the visitors after fifteen minutes.

Cowdenbeath’s Aiden McLaughlin equalised just before half time before Euan Bauld’s daisy-cutter finish which came accompanied by one of the most satisfying sounds of connection in football history*. The Blue Brazil’s Paul McLean saw red for a challenge on Gray, before Jamie Docherty converted a penalty to level things out after 83 minutes.

*hyperbole…

Attendance: 281

East Kilbride 7-1 Civil Service Strollers

Civil Service Strollers went from being East Kilbride’s bogey team over the last few seasons to… err… not being, as Kilby ran out 7-1 victors over Gary Jardine’s side at Ross Commercial Finance K Park. 

By their own admission the first half was poor for Civil Service Strollers as they went in 3-0 down at the break. Things didn’t get much better in the second half as EK went 4-0 up after 54 minutes as the Strollers defence parted in front of them and allowed Callum Biggar to score his second of the afternoon.

Things went from bad to worse as Lewis Bushnell conceded a penalty three minutes after coming on as a substitute which allowed Biggar to net his hat trick from the spot. Popular striker Alieu Faye was able to pull one back for Strollers but by then they were six-nil down and Biggar was able to bag his fourth of the day to send the visitors home disappointed.

Attendance: Unknown

Gretna 2008 0-3 Albion Rovers

Gretna have been making great strides off the park in the close season with new manager and Lowland League stalwart Vinnie Parker making a raft of new signings and they’ve even got a documentary (check out the first episode below).

(Eye Scotland on Youtube)

Sandy Clark’s Albion Rovers have similarly been busy over the close-season and made the trip to Dumfries and Galloway looking to build on a ninth place finish in 2023/24. Barry Duncan’s peach of a free kick opened the scoring for the Wee Rovers after sixteen minutes.

Apart from that though, it was a fairly even match for nearly 80 minutes and Gretna’s supporters will have been excited by the potential on show from the club who needed a last day victory against Edinburgh University to secure their survival last season.

That being said, Albion Rovers showed the greater cutting edge, and Nathan Brown doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 81st minute before Michael Paton nodded home a superb header to secure all three points for Sandy Clark’s side.

Hear from Gretna 2008 manager Vinnie Parker: 

Hear from Albion Rovers goalscorer Nathan Brown: 

Attendance: 397

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The Scottish Lowland Football League can confirm that Thomas Brown has been elected to the position of chairperson.

Continue reading “Lowland League Elects New Chairperson” →