Background

This part of the season always excites me. The play-offs in Scottish football have arguably been the best introduction to our game for some time. The occasion usually brings large crowds, huge anticipation and many possible ‘Sliding Doors’ moments that may change the course of a football club’s prospects. Although most eyes may be on the Premiership play-off between Ross County and hopefuls Raith Rovers, there are still matters that must be resolved further down the pyramid. Therefore, I’ve come back to West Lothian to take some of this action in.

This evening, Broxburn Athletic will play host to my latest adventure. The club have a long and vibrant history, starting way back in the late 1800s with the formation of plenty of other clubs in the local area. Broxburn Football Club came first, born in 1883 and bringing footballing life into the small town just west of Edinburgh. Success was limited to a couple of local cup wins to begin with, but it was clear the need and want for the sport was rife in the town. However, in the end the club dissolved in 1894. Meanwhile, the original Broxburn Athletic had been formed in 1887. They mostly played as a junior side but made attempts to progress in the senior Scottish Cup – reaching the first round proper in 1912.

The dissolved Broxburn Football Club was reformed in 1902, naming themselves Broxburn FC. Ten years later, it was clear that there was no need for two football clubs in the town, leading to a merger between Broxburn FC and Broxburn Athletic in 1912. The newly conjoined club was named Broxburn United, who won several local competitions before they also dissolved in 1932.

The Broxburn Athletic we now know and love was formed fifteen years later. Basing themselves at Albyn Park, they have remained a stalwart in the local community for close to eighty years now. In terms of honours, the club had to show resilience and patience before the trophy cabinet began to fill up. They won a few local honours in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s where league silverware began to flow into Albyn Park. The club won two East Region Leagues back-to-back while also amassing East Region League Cups and other local cups in the early days of the decade.

In recent times, The Brox have competed mostly in the East of Scotland League set-up. They joined the mass exodus from the junior ranks to the senior pyramid in 2018 and have not looked back. The club won the East of Scotland Conference ‘C’ in their first year, leading to them immediately joining the top tier in the East. Broxburn then finished third in the division the following year, followed by a few humble mid-table finishes, coming behind elite junior clubs such as Linlithgow, Bo’ness United and Tranent. However, Broxburn have since come into their own and taken the division by storm. A few weeks ago, they wrapped up the title and finished 11 points above nearest challenges Musselburgh Athletic.

Their title win has given them the chance of promotion to the Lowland League. Usually, this would be a round robin tournament between the winners of the East of Scotland, West of Scotland and South of Scotland league structures. For the second year in a row, Beith came top of the pile in the west, put unfortunately do not meet the criteria for promotion to the 5^th tier. This leaves Broxburn to fight for promotion in a two-legged affair against South of Scotland champions Dalbeattie Star. The home side will be in confident mood, having gone down to Dumfries and Galloway last weekend and leaving with a comprehensive 4-1 victory. This puts them in the driver’s seat and heading for promotion. However, stranger things have happened. Either way, it should be a good occasion.

Facilities

Albyn Park is a stone’s throw away from Broxburn town centre – ensuring it is deeply embedded into the community. Turning into the street where the ground lies, the main standing terrace sticks out like a sore thumb. The entrances and turnstiles are typically old-school, manned by gracious club volunteers. Upon entry, it is a small stairway to climb before entering the arena itself. The aforementioned standing terrace sits a bit off-centre but looked superb when full of Broxburn supporters. On the opposite side and behind both goals are grass embankments which gave a superb view of proceedings throughout the match.

Albyn Park sits as a part of the Broxburn United Sports Club – a community facility which allows not just The Brox to play and train on a well-kept artificial surface, but plenty of youth sides affiliated with the club as well. It is an impressive facility and one which is clearly well-maintained by the club.

Overall, it is clear that Albyn Park is a place that is well appreciated in the town of Broxburn. It is a superb wee facility that has room to grow and plenty of memories to make within its walls. The artificial surface looks great and allowed the players to zing the ball about with no hassle whatsoever. In terms of facilities in the 6^th tier, it is one of the best going.

Atmosphere

Unsurprisingly, it was Friday night party atmosphere at Albyn Park. After last weeks 4-1 away win in the first leg, you’d have expected a sizeable and expectant crowd to descent into the ground to cheer the team onto promotion. I’m unsure of what the official attendance was but it was a good few hundred anyway. Supporters younger, older but equally loyal all came to support their local team and was superb to see.

Inside the standing terrace was the place to be. Drumming, consistent chanting and superb support for the team rung around Albyn Park. The Ultras certainly played their part in creating the atmosphere and I am plenty sure the players on the park appreciated it greatly. Long may it continue.

Quality of the Match

Filled with expectation and elation, the game was roared to a start by the Broxburn supporters on the terrace. However, it would be the visitors who would draw first blood. A loose pass in the midfield ended with a slick through ball in-between the Broxburn defence. Declan Rogerson latched on and managed to toe-poke the ball through Bob Watt and into the net. A shock start.

Broxburn were not perturbed though. In the 5 minutes that followed the opener, Dalbeattie ‘keeper Konar Pietsch proved to be busy. After saving a close effort with his legs, he produced a more aesthetically pleasing save from a long-ranged Errol Douglas strike. However, when he produced another decent block from a point blank header, the rebound was put in by the onrushing Gary Brass to level the game on the night.

Any hope Dalbeattie had was put to bed very soon after. Errol Douglas was presented with a golden opportunity after a wonderful ball through the away defence. He remained composed as he slotted the ball home to put The Brox6-2 up on aggregate.

Broxburn did not take their foot off the accelerator, though. Some excellent work down the right-hand side resulted in pinpoint cross from Ross Nimmo. Alassan Jones met the cross well to head the ball into the back of the net to further extend the hosts’ lead.

Gary Brass got his second of the night on the 25^th minute. More excellent work on the right saw a cross reach the back post, where Brass was on hand to walk the ball into the back of the net. The away side looked dismayed.

Things went from very bad to worse just before the half-time whistle. With Errol Douglas through one-on-one again, Konar Pietsch came rushing out in an attempt to beat the striker of the ball. He wasn’t quick enough though, taking out Douglas in the process of trying to make a clearance. Outside the box and being the last man, Pietsch was shown a straight red. Substitute ‘keeper Cammy Shaw’s first act was to pick the ball out of the net, as Alassan Jones fired in the resulting free-kick, ending the half with Broxburn four goals to the good.

Half-Time: Broxburn Athletic 5-1 Dalbeattie Star (9-2 on aggregate)

Up against ten-men, I’m sure the entirety of Albyn Park suspected a cricket score might be on the cards for the second half. It started brightly with a few chances cleared off the line in quick succession – but would take until the 68^th minute for the next goal to hit the back of the net. Gary Breen latched on the end of a superb corner to nod the ball home for 6 and complete his hat-trick.

It was seventh-heaven 2 minutes later. A lofted cross to the back post was cushioned back across goal. Mark Munro managed to head the ball into the side netting to get his name on the scoresheet.

Callum Bremner’s assist for the seventh was rewarded with his own goal for the eighth. He beat the ‘keeper to a waist-high cross to head the ball into the back of the net. 8-1 on the night and 12-2 on aggregate. A pumping.

Full Time: Broxburn Athletic 8-1 Dalbeattie Star (12-2 on aggregate)

Broxburn are promoted to the fifth tier in emphatic fashion and deservedly so. On an excellent surface, they played some excellent football at times and proved themselves to be a team who will be a force in the Lowland League next season. I was very impressed by their forward line – particularly Errol Douglas and Alassan Jones. I had seen Jones a couple seasons ago for Haddington Athletic and thought he was outstanding. He has rightfully deserved his move up and I’m sure will be a success in the league above. I look forward to seeing how they do next year.

As for Dalbeattie, their season ends in a bit of a downer. They’ll have been delighted to snatch the South of Scotland league in dramatic fashion to earn the right to play in the play-off but will ultimately be gutted at their humbling when push came to shove. However, there were a couple of bright sparks in their ranks. I thought Dan Carmichael was superb in the middle of the park. The former Queen of the South and Hibernian player showed his mass experience and pulled plenty of strings during the match. He was very impressive.

Pricing

A play-off final having the measly price of £8 seems like a superb bargain. For that price I witnessed nine goals, some excellent individual displays and experienced a wonderful setting in the meantime. Food and drink was also well priced, making Albyn Park a class place to visit for a game of football.

Final Score

Broxburn Athletic have experienced elation and joy in the last couple days. Their promotion is incredibly well deserved, showcasing how hard-work off the pitch can certainly result in positive results on it. I wish the club nothing but the best moving forward and I am excited to see how they mould into the Lowland League in 2024/25.

– Connor