Season: 2023/24

The 2022/23 season of The Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland Football League.

Broomhill vs Linlithgow Rose

After battling for their equaliser nine minutes from the end – thanks to Corey O’Donnell’s effort from the edge of the box, there wasn’t much they could do to stop Calvin McGrory’s rocket into the top corner with five left on the clock – leaving K-Park empty-handed and a 2-1 opening day defeat.

Stephen Swift took confidence in how competitive his side were against a strong opposition, and he’ll be looking for the same as they host newly promoted, Linlithgow Rose.

Having won the East of Scotland Premier Division last season, Linlithgow Rose looked to continue the form in their new environment – kicking off their Lowland League campaign with a 3-1 win against Stirling Uni, with three ‘Goal of the Month’ contenders, in the process

A midweek fixture in Dumbarton is never easy, and The Rose will need to keep up the intensity to break down the bullish barrier of Broomhill.

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Celtic B vs Caledonian Braves

Celtic B couldn’t shake off the curse of Cumbernauld, as they lost to the Colts 1-0 – their fourth consecutive time failing to find the winning formula against the Broadwood side.

On an unbeaten run of six games at home, Celtic B will be looking to put their first points on the board. Although undefeated in their last four outings against Caley Braves, they have made life difficult for the Young Hoops – with the fixtures ending 3-2, 2-0, 4-4, and 1-0.

Caley Braves found the breakthrough on the 75th minute – with Jamie Watson’s goal providing The Braves with an opening day 1-0 victory over Berwick Rangers, at Alliance Park.

It’s no secret what the ambitions of The Braves are, and they’ll be looking to find a way to sway the result in their favour against The Hoops.

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Civil Service Strollers vs Heart of Midlothian B

Both sides cancelled each other out, last season – with the games ending 1-1 and 2-2.

Accumulating 11 goals between them on the opening weekend, it says goal fest on paper!

After defeating Edinburgh Uni in a closely fought 4-3 win at East Peffermill, Civil Service Strollers face another city rival – welcoming Hearts B to Christie Gillies Park.

Conrad Balatoni made a strong start to the campaign, scoring two of The Strollers four goals.

Hearts B kicked off the 23/24 campaign on Friday night in emphatic style – brushing off Gretna 2008 at Ainslie Park with a 7-0 win.

Makenzie Kirk scored four of the seven goals and will be looking to find the back of the net, once again.

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Gala Fairydean Rovers vs East Stirlingshire

The last time both sides met at Netherdale, it was The Shire who would head home with the three points – winning 2-0.

Gala Fairydean Rovers would have been hoping for a better result on the opening day of the 23/24 campaign – losing 3-0 away to Bo’ness United at Newtown Park.

Having left the Falkirk Council area empty-handed, they’ll be hoping to get some goals and points on the board in front of their own crowd at the iconic Netherdale – as they welcome the other half of the Falkirk area, East Stirling.

A tough opener for The Shire as they lost 2-1 to hotly tipped Tranent at Falkirk Stadium. Broque Watson put the visitors ahead on the 32nd minute, and Cammy Ross doubled the advantage four minutes later. Shaun Brown pulled one back for the hosts with a nice finish before the break.

East Stirling will be looking to put Gala to the sword, and Pat Scullion will be hoping to get their season underway in Galashiels.

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Tranent vs Edinburgh University

The last time the sides met at Foresters Park, Tranent cruised to an 8-0 win.

Pipped by many to be title contenders, Tranent got their 23/24 campaign underway as they left Falkirk Stadium with three points – thanks to a 2-1 win over East Stirling.

Broque Watson put the Big T ahead on the 32nd minute, with Cammy Ross doubling the lead four minutes later. Shaun Brown pulled one back for the home side, just before half-time.

A big change at East Peffermill saw Sean McAuley come in for ever-present Dorian Ogunro, who departed after eleven years as Head Coach – and city rivals Civil Service Strollers were the visitors on the opening day.

Whilst the students will be disappointed to have scored three goals at home and be on the losing side, they’ll be encouraged to be finding the back of the net – with last season’s goal difference being -96, 31 scored, 127 conceded.

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Bo’ness United vs Gala Fairydean Rovers

Bo’ness United finished the Lowland League campaign sitting ninth with 54 points. But, the agony of losing the Lowland League Cup Final for the second consecutive year, on penalties to East Kilbride will be something that will spur club legend, and now manager, Stuart Hunter to aim for bigger and better things.

Former manager, Max Christie made a return to Tranent, taking key-player Alassan Jones and young Lennon Walker with him. Central Defender, Shaun Rutherford had made the move in the opposite direction – setting up for the season at Newtown Park.

Gala Fairydean Rovers finished five points behind Bo’ness United, ending the campaign in twelfth position. But, Martin Scott’s men can look back on the season fondly, finishing with their first-ever silverware in their current incarnation – lifting the East of Scotland Cup, with the 10-men GFR beating Linlithgow Rose on penalties.

The 22/23 campaign also saw GFR involved in some very entertaining and high-scoring games, including a 4-1 win over Open Goal Broomhill, a 3-3 draw with Hearts B, as well as 5-4 and 4-3 defeats to East Kilbride and Celtic B. Having lost their high-profile striker, Zander Murray to Bonnyrigg Rose – they’ve turned to Tranent’s top-goalscorer, Nicky Reid to find the back of the net.

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Caledonian Braves vs Berwick Rangers

Caley Braves will be looking to build on their midtable finish, last season – ending the campaign tenth in the league, with 51 points.

Like GFR, The Braves enjoyed participating in some high-scorelines, including a 4-4 draw with Celtic B, a 5-2 win over Hearts B, and the highest scoring game of the 22/23 season: a 10-0 win over Dalbeattie Star.

However, they do now need to contend with the loss of major creator and convertor, Marc Kelly – who travelled along the bypass to Mick Kennedy’s new-look East Kilbride.

Berwick Rangers ended the 22/23 campaign in a very respectable seventh, with 61 points. The Wee Gers finished as one of the in-form teams – losing only four of their last twenty competitive matches.

Stuart Malcolm has been looking to solidify The Black & Gold at the back – bringing in Callum Mackay from The Spartans, Jamie McCormack from Bo’ness United, and Kane O’Conner from Tranent.

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Cumbernauld Colts vs Celtic B

Cumbernauld Colts saw themselves finish 14th for the second consecutive year, ending the 22/23 campaign with 46 points – 30 points behind their opening weekend opponents, Celtic B.

The Colts will be looking to carry on the undefeated form of 22/23 when it comes to facing The Young Hoops – having won at Broadwood 4-2, and held on for a 1-1 draw at the Excelsior.

Celtic B finished third for the second consecutive season, sitting on 76 points for the 22/23 campaign – three behind Champions, Spartans, and only one behind Rangers B. They also had the best goal difference with +51 – scoring 96 and conceding 45.

Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea have many talented players – with some of them having already featured for the First Team, such as Rocco Vata, Joey Dawson, and Bosun Lawal.

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