League: Lowland League

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Broomhill FC vs East Stirlingshire

Match Recap

Broomhill vs East Stirlingshire | Dumbarton Stadium | Lowland League | 20/04/2024

by David McIntyre

The final match of the Lowland League season took place at the weekend as Broomhill looked to continue their recent upturn in form. The big story of the day however was Martin Grehan announcing his retirement from professional football. Grehan had a wonderful career around the Scottish leagues and is now looking forward to spending time with his young family after a 20-year career. 

It was clear in the opening exchanges that neither team wanted to play on the front foot despite fighting for anything. Josh Jack broke the deadlock after 20 minutes with a sweet strike across the goal, giving the goalkeeper no chance. Broomhill doubled their lead after hold-up play from Ciaran McPhie ending with a clever reverse pass into Josh Jack’s path. The visitors created, a few chances approaching halftime and grabbed a goal back, before the break.

The second half saw the tempo slow down but both defences remained on top and stopped either keeper being tested. Martin Grehan who made more than 300 appearances as a striker was made to finish the last 15 minutes of his career as a centre-back. Happy to help the team he even managed a last-ditch challenge to maintain the lead for the Broom.

Corey O’Donnell ended his season on a high grabbing the final goal of the season just before the final whistle. The striker bagged in the last two matches and Broomhill finished the season with seven points out of nine.

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Broomhill FC vs Bo’ness United

Match Report

by David McIntyre

Broomhill vs Bo’ness United | Lowland League | Dumbarton Stadium | 16/04/2024

Broomhill’s penultimate fixture came against high-flying Bo’ness United whose recent form sees them sitting 3rd in the table. With another tough match for Stephen Swift’s men, he had the luxury of naming an unchanged starting 11. This hasn’t occurred regularly due to an extensive injury list this season. 

The match started with both teams looking to play on the front foot, Broomhill were looking to replicate their previous match and get ahead early. Ciaran McPhie was the first player for the Broom to get a shot on target with a low driven shot after a ball was played over Bo’ness heads.

The weather played its part in how the first half was playing out due to the strong gusts. So Broomhill did well to take the lead after 26 minutes. A goal for striker Corey O’Donnell put the home team in front. A wonderful cross played to the back post from Kirk McKnight, saw Corey outjump all the Bo’ness defenders.

The second half started well for Broomhill with Ciaran McPhie and Max Wright linking up before McPhie took off on a mazy run towards goal. He managed to evade five defenders, his first shot hit the post and his headed rebound was cleared off the line. Only five minutes after Ciaran’s miss the visitors were awarded a penalty for a trip in the box. Luke Scullion who had been brilliant all game made himself big and got a big hand to save the spot kick. He got himself up quickly and caught the rebound. 

Bo’ness United had been pushing since the penalty award and were repaid with an equalising goal in the 77th minute. Joe Murphy made a late charge for a winner but his goalward shot was headed over the bar in the final minutes to deny Broomhill the victory.

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University of Stirling vs Broomhill FC

Match Report

by David McIntyre

University of Stirling vs Broomhill | 1-4 | Lowland League | Forthbank | 13/04/2024

Broomhill traveled to the University of Stirling for their final away match this season, aiming to finish the season positively. Before the match, manager Stephen Swift said he expected a tough match but wanted the boys to follow the game plan and impose themselves onto the hosts. 

The boys listened to their gaffer as they took the lead four minutes into the match as Cameron Chalmers buried his low shot into the back of the net. It was the midfielder’s first goal of the season after latching onto a dangerous ball from Ciaran McPhie. Broomhill continued to press the University of Stirling, so much so, that they forced the home team into conceding an indirect free-kick.

The boys’ hard work on the training pitch over the season came to fruition when the team combined to score a goal worthy of the “Goal of the Season Award.” A lovely passing play including back-heels and reverse passes led to Ciaran McPhie laying the ball across the face of the goal for Josh Jack to tap into the net. After a few missed opportunities from set-pieces, Ross Smith finally capitalised from a perfect delivery from Paul Kennedy and the captain made it 3-0 before half-time. 

The first-half display looked to have given the boys the result and the manager made some early changes to avoid fatigue as they play three games over the next seven days. With the forwards putting on a show in the first half it was the defence’s turn in the second half to protect the goal. The University of Stirling came out with a point to prove in the second half. 

Despite the host’s mounting pressure, Broomhill got the 4th goal of the day as Jon Craig grabbed his first goal since joining the club. A late goal from the home team will come as a frustration to the defence after a relatively comfortable afternoon. 

Broomhill will welcome Bo’ness United on Tuesday with the final league match coming the following Saturday against East Stirlingshire.

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