Season: 2023/24

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

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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East Kilbride vs Broomhill

Two-time Lowland League Champions, East Kilbride will be looking to improve on their 6th position, last season. They did, however, retain the Lowland League Cup in a repeat final of the 21/22 season against Bo’ness United.

A lot has changed at East Kilbride over the summer, as new boss Mick Kennedy had a mass exodus of the squad – with Dylan Macdonald being the only first-team player from the previous campaign. Kennedy has set his sights on challenging for the title – recruiting the likes of now captain, Liam Brown from Queen’s Park, Callum Tapping from FC Edinburgh, Marc Kelly from Caley Braves, and some familiar faces from his Darvel days, amongst others.

Under the guise of ‘Open Goal’, Broomhill saw the 22/23 campaign end with them 11th in the Lowland League table, on 51 points. There’s also been a period of change since their partnership with the podcast ended. The club have reverted back to ‘Broomhill’, have a new badge, and have also left their home for last season, Broadwood, laying down roots with a five-year deal to call Dumbarton their home.

The opening fixture of the season will be an interesting one, coming up against former manager, Simon Ferry, as he now stands in the EK dugout as Mick Kennedy’s Assistant. Stephen Swift will be looking to steady the ship and bring continuity, hoping to replicate the successive top-four finishes of 2018-2021.

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East Stirlingshire vs Tranent

Since their relegation to the Lowland League in 2017, East Stirling have continually finished in the top-six, until last season. The 22/23 campaign will certainly be looked at as an underachievement, with The Shire sitting fourth from bottom in 16th place.

Manager, Pat Scullion has recruited well, bringing in former Lowland League top-scorer, Jamie Penker on loan from Spartans, former Berwick Rangers and now Shire captain, Jamie Pyper, as well as Euan McGill and Jamie Thompson from University of Stirling, amongst others.

Having been crowned East of Scotland Champions, and navigating the promotion play-off with a 2-0 win over Mick Kennedy’s Darvel, The Big T enjoyed their inaugural season in the Lowland League – finishing fifth with 65 points, one point ahead of two-time Lowland League champions, East Kilbride.

The Belters have made some statement signings, as Max Christie looks to push for the top of the table – bringing in FC Edinburgh captain, Robbie McIntyre, Broque Watson from Broomhill, Alassan Jones and Lennon Walker from Christie’s former club, Bo’ness United, as well as experienced players Kallum Higginbotham from Kelty Hearts, with both Dean Brett and Alan Horne joining from Bonnyrigg Rose.

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Edinburgh University vs Civil Service Strollers

Edinburgh University will be desperately looking to improve on their 22/23 campaign that saw only relegated Dalbeattie Star finish below them, as they ended with 16 points.

After ten years as manager, and a 23-year involvement with Edinburgh University, Dorian Ogunro departed East Peffermill, with Sean McAuley being the man to lead the students for the upcoming season.

Since 2018, Civil Service Strollers have been a constant in the top-half of the Lowland League – excluding the curtailed 20/21 season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ended the 22/23 campaign in eighth, on 58 points.

The Strollers have brought in midfielder, Dean Ritchie from Cowdenbeath, defender, Callum Yeats from Stenhousemuir, striker, Michael Mbewe from Gretna, and also sees Mark McConnell make a return to the club – following a spell with Broxburn Athletic.

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Linlithgow Rose vs University of Stirling

Linlithgow Rose are one of two new clubs in the Lowland League, this season – having been crowned East of Scotland Premier Division Champions, nine points clear of runners-up, Sauchie.

Gaffer, Gordon Herd has laid his cards on the table – asking The Rose to “go challenge”. Whilst losing key-man, Mark Stowe to Arbroath, Herd is happy with the additions to the squad for their inaugural season in the Lowland League, including Dylan Patterson from Bo’ness Athletic, Calum Rae from opening fixture opponents, University of Stirling, and Sean McKirdy, amongst others.

It’s safe to say, University of Stirling had a fantastic 22/23 campaign – finishing eight points off top spot in fourth, only behind Champions and Playoff Winners, Spartans, Rangers B, and Celtic B. They also reached the Scottish Cup Fourth Round, losing 3-0 to Premiership side, Dundee United at Tannadice.

Chris Geddes will be looking at the 22/23 as the bar that’s been set. But, It’s difficult to establish where the Uni squad is at – having lost key-players such as goalkeeper, Ben Fry to Pollok, both Euan McGill and Jamie Thompson to East Stirling, and James Berry to Stenhousemuir.

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Heart of Midlothian B v Gretna 2008

Hearts B kick-off the Lowland League 23/24 season by hosting Gretna 2008, at Ainslie Park on Friday night.

Ainslie Park is a familiar destination for those involved in the Lowland League – being the home of last season’s Champions and now newly-promoted League Two side, The Spartans.

With last season’s manager, Steven Naismith now part of the First Team setup at Tynecastle, it’s up to former Cowdenbeath and Dundee United manager, Liam Fox to improve on The Young Jambos inaugural season in the Lowland League – where they finished thirteenth.

As for Gretna 2008, it’s been six years since they finished in the top half of the table. Last season saw them finish 17th on 26 points – much improved from the 21/22 campaign that saw them flirting with relegation, managing only two wins and eleven points.

A big season for The Anvils – Bryan Gilfillan will be looking to reignite the form of one of the greatest underdog stories in Scottish Football, this side of the millennium.

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