Fenix Trophy Quarter-Final: Caledonian Braves vs Miljakovac

A Parisian Prelude: The Braves Discover the City of Lights !

On March 31st, the Caledonian Braves took some time to discover the beauty of Paris ahead of their Fenix Trophy match. The day began with a walk past the iconic Louvre, where the team took in the historic surroundings and enjoyed the atmosphere of the city. They then headed to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, taking a moment to appreciate one of Paris’s most famous landmarks.

A well-deserved lunch break followed, where croissants quickly became the squad’s new favourite pre-match snack. In the afternoon, the team gathered in front of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe later on, two symbols of French heritage that left a lasting impression.

The day concluded with a team dinner in Montmartre, where a few adventurous players even tried escargots for the first time surprisingly, some enjoyed them more than expected. Between historic monuments, good food, and shared moments, the Braves made the most of their Parisian experience an inspiring lead-up to their European fixture.

In the Fenix Trophy quarter-final, Caledonian Braves faced Serbian side Miljakovac under sunny skies in Paris.

From the opening minutes, Ricky Waddell's men set the tempo. In the 3rd minute, Aiden Clocherty won a penalty, which Ross McNeil coolly converted, giving the Braves an early lead. The first half was largely dominated by the Scots, although the match was disrupted by numerous fouls, particularly from Miljakovac, who relied on intense physical engagement.

Chances multiplied for the Braves. In the 24th minute, Kian Speirs tried his luck from distance, but his shot was easily caught by the opposing goalkeeper. Moments later, Cameron Breadner found himself in an ideal position, but his cross-shot was deflected at the last moment by a Serbian defender, denying Aiden Clocherty the opportunity to double the lead.

The situation shifted in the 32nd minute. Following a foul, a Miljakovac defender received a second yellow card and was sent off. From the resulting free kick, Cameron Breadner found Jack McDowall whose header was saved by the goalkeeper. The ball fell to Breadner, whose shot was again deflected, but Jack McDowall, who had stayed forward, finished with his left foot. The Braves went into halftime with a deserved 2-0 lead, having not conceded a single chance.

Second Half: Dominance Confirmed

After the break, Bernie White made way for Kyle King. The Braves continued to increase their pressure to score a third goal and secure the match. In the 50th minute, Cameron Breadner's corner was cleared by the Serbian defense before being sent back into the box. Aiden Clocherty, unmarked, controlled and took a shot, but his effort went over.

Two minutes later, Cameron Breadner crossed into the box, the goalkeeper failed to collect the ball, which fell to Clocherty, but he again missed the target. The Braves persisted, and in the 57th minute, their efforts were finally rewarded. After several attempts, Clocherty perfectly placed a right-footed shot from the edge of the box, sealing the score at 3-0.

Ricky Waddell made several changes, bringing on Kristian Gkegka and Connor McLaren for Cameron Breadner and captain John Guthrie. However, barely a minute after coming on, Gkegka was involved in an incident where the opposing captain attempted a poorly-timed tackle, missing the Braves player but injuring himself in the fall. Given the severity of the injury and in a show of fair play, both teams decided to halt the match while waiting for medical assistance.

Final Four Qualification Under a Delicate Shadow

Despite this particular end to the match, Caledonian Braves secured their ticket to the Final Four in Italy scheduled for May. However, the celebration remained measured out of respect for the opponent and the injured player. This important victory allows the Braves to continue their European journey, while keeping an eye on upcoming Lowland League fixtures, with the objective of finishing their domestic season strongly.