Albyn Park

Broxburn Athletic 0-8 Ayr United

Scottish Cup Fourth Round

18th January 2025

Broxburn Athletic found themselves on the wrong end of a right royal humping this afternoon not because (although, I appreciate the scoreline would suggest otherwise), they were completely outclassed.  But, rather, they were undone by a stubborn, one might even say foolish, refusal to shut up shop and settle for damage limitation in the second half.  For long after the contest was over, Broxburn continued to defend a high line, and to even attempt to press their Championship opponents, whenever the opportunity arose.

The consequence being, the second half of this match became a procession of Broxburn having their pockets picked by a series of quick counter attacks and long balls over the top, by a ruthless Ayr United side.  For a spell late on it appeared that every time the home side lost the ball in midfield, a few passes later it was in their net.

Broxburn had defended much deeper in the first half, and had turned around just two down, having conceded from a brace of set pieces (if a penalty kick may be described as a set piece).  But around the hour, by which time they were 3-0 down, the Broxburn management clearly decided to go for bust in search of a goal.  They came up with Bust.

Broxburn's top goalscorer Errol Douglas (22 for the season so far) had started on the bench this afternoon, so I can only assume the lad was either recovering from injury or enduring a period of poor form.  I noted from the fine match programme (only £2 !!), that he had not featured in the "Brox Scorers" column since November 5th.  He clearly retained the confidence of at least one home fan - for some chap behind me spent much of the first hour of the match bellowing "Bring oan Big Errol !!" 

Douglas did arrive in the 63rd minute, but one swift turn and shot (wide) apart, he was fairly anonymous.

 

     

Broxburn Athletic have come a long way since I first watched matches there in the the 1980s.  And whilst I would not go so far as to suggest Albyn Park is a Scottish League ground in waiting, it is a far cry from the desolate windswept venue of old, frowned down upon by the local bings.  

The ground is a credit to the club, and the hard work of their committee.

The official attendance this afternoon was 2,100.