Caledonian Braves vs Linlithgow Rose

Braves fall to back-to-back defeats

The Caledonian Braves returned back to Alliance Park this weekend looking to bounce back from a midweek loss in Broxburn, but fell to a disappointing 0-2 loss against Linlithgow.

Goals in both halves would secure a well deserved three points for Gordon Herd’s side, who closed down the gap in the chasing pack.

Coming into the game, Ricky Waddell was handed further selection headaches. With 5 key players already injured, Reg McLaren also had to drop out the squad, after picking up 5 yellow cards in 10 games.

Returning in his place, Ross McNeil, alongside Lennon Walker would both create decent opportunities in the early exchange, as the Braves started bright.

Kian Speirs starting on the right wing would also threaten, and had our best two chances of the first half. After half an hour, a low drive was well stopped on the line by a recovering defender. Speirs almost caught Binnie out with an effort from distance, but the strong keeper got across his line to save comfortably.

Linlithgow also had chances early on, with Sean Brown being stopped by Bernie White and Dylan Paterson blazing a first time strike over the bar.

Plenty of action to report early on, the Braves looked to be the more comfortable side as the half grew, but against the play, they fell behind after 33 minutes.

The impressive McMullan picked up the ball in the middle of the park, before finding the space to dink a teasing ball into the box. On-rushing midfielder Louis Maguire found himself unmarked in the box, and dispatched with a low powerful header to beat White.

The Rose had a few chances to double their lead before the break, but went into half time with a well earned one goal lead. And a second would follow shortly.

With 49 minutes on the clock, our visitors would pick up a corner on the left which was swung into the heart of the Braves box. The ball would fall kindly in the middle, and was smashed into the Braves goal by Dean Watson - marking his Linlithgow debut in style.

The Braves needed the next goal, and would apply some pressure to the opposition. Connor McLaren and Lennon Walker both stung the gloves of Binnie, who was proving unbeatable once again, having kept a pair of clean sheets against the Braves last year. But his best save of the game was still to come.

With the clock pushing 80 minutes, the Braves committed almost all their players up for an Aiden Clocherty long throw. The man staying back was left-back Robbie Stewart, who was quick to latch on the Linlithgow clearance to follow. The 18-year-old’s eyes lit up, as he unleashed a sensational first time volley from 35-yards. Spinning towards the top corner, the crowd released an audible gasp as Binnie darted to tip the spinning strike over the bar.

Walker would also come close with a strike from the edge of the box in the final ten, but overall Linlithgow saw out the game impressively and fully deserved all three points, regardless of the work from their keeper.

With East Kilbride and Tranent playing out a 3-3 draw in a 1st v 3rd clash, the Braves remain in 2nd, despite suffering back-to-back losses for the first time this season.

The first time the Braves have even trailed at Alliance Park this season, the boys will look to get back on track with a welcome break from the league next weekend, when they travel to face Vale of Clyde.