Caledonian Braves vs Edinburgh University

Caledonian Braves manager Ricky Waddell stressed the importance of respect, as his side claimed a 4-2 victory over Edinburgh University in the Lowland League.

The result came courtesy of a phenomenal Ross McNeil performance, who scored all four goals for the hosts on the afternoon.

Having taken the lead after 20 minutes, the Braves were pegged back by Will Antoniuk, before McNeil re-established an advantage on the cusp of half time.

The experienced forward would bag his hattrick early in the second half, but Edinburgh once again showed their resolve when Jacob Shyngle pulled one back.

McNeil would have the last laugh however, when the marksman smashed home a penalty.

Despite having little to play for late in the league season, Ricky Waddell has been keen to ensure his side continue to push for results.

The Braves manager said: “It was more about respecting ourselves and respecting the club. If we got an opportunity we’d put it away and make sure in our mind regardless of the circumstances, to remember respect is the most important thing.

“I don’t want to rest on the points we’ve got. I want to get as many points and the best performances we can get, individually and as a team.

“Every game of football regardless of the situation is there to be won.”

With Edinburgh University fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table, they faced early pressure when Aiden Clocherty came close with a powerful right footed strike.

However, the deadlock would be broken after 20 minutes.

Clocherty pinged a right footed cross in the box, which was pulled in nicely by McNeil. The Braves captain would take his time, before smashing home from close range to give his side a deserved lead.

In recent weeks, Edinburgh University have showed resolve, recording four points in their last three games, to boost their lowly total to nine. This confidence showed in the aftermath, as the students rallied to get back into the game.

On 33 minutes, the ever-dangerous Samuel Raphael went for a run down the left flank before finding Antoniuk in the middle. The box-to-box player caught a low strike sweetly, that squirmed below the reach of Bernie White to level the scores.

Edinburgh would’ve felt justified to enter half time level, but McNeil had different plans when he scored his second after 42 minutes.

Cammy Breadner opened his legs down the left wing, before delivering a low cross to McNeil in the middle. From five yards out, the number nine couldn’t miss the target to restore his side’s lead.

And the Braves wouldn’t have to wait long to get a third after half time.

With the supporters still filtering back to their seats, McNeil won the ball from a sloppy Max McGinley pass back.

The 32-year-old needed no second invitation, and punished the mistake, firing past Smith Samuel for a 46-minute hattrick.

With the fourth best defensive record in the league, the Braves would’ve hoped to see the game out with minimal fuss. However, with 62 minutes on the clock, defender Jacob Shyngle would rise high and head onto target, to set up a big final half hour.

Sean McAuley’s side would fail to create clear cut chances however, with their best chance – a tame low shot – being cleared off the line by 18-year-old Robbie Stewart.

And any chances of a headline grabbing comeback were quashed, when Greig Stewart was clipped in the box by Shyngle, to give the Braves a penalty after 78 minutes.

McNeil would once again finish with authority, to rubber stamp three important points for his side, with his fourth of the afternoon.

With Gretna 2008 picking up a surprise point, Edinburgh slipped back down to bottom on goal difference with just two games left to play. They’ll head to Cumbernauld this weekend, before a crunch game against Gretna on the final day.

Meanwhile, the Caledonian Braves will head to face Gala Fairydean on Saturday afternoon.