Recap

We returned to league action and made our first visit to the new home of Caledonian Braves – Alliance Park. Despite looking like a potential banana skin, BSC Glasgow were able to put four past the hosts to ensure an important three points.

by Martin Fleming

Unsurprisingly, there were no changes from the team which secured our place in the last sixteen of the Scottish Cup after comfortably defeating East Kilbride 3-1 last weekend, although Robbie McNab’s suspension made room for Shaun Bowers to come into the matchday squad.

The first major chance from either side came thanks to a terrific ball forward from Jamie Mills. Thomas Collins went for a first –time volley but it could only smash into the side netting. A similar chance came and went only two minutes later when a low cross into the box from Thomas Or allowed Collins to go for another first-time strike, only this time it went just wide of the post.

The deadlock was broken in the 24^th minute – a signature corner from Declan Hughes landed perfectly at the feet of Martin Grehan who had all the time in the world to control it how he liked and slot it inside the far post.

Travelling BSC supporters would soon be getting unwelcome flashbacks to last seasons’ pair of 2-2 draws with Braves as Ricky Waddell’s men pulled it back and found their equaliser. Neil McLaughlin hit a superb strike on the half volley that Ryan Marshall had no chance of getting to.

Immediately, Thomas Collins went to put BSC back in the driving seat – unfortunately, Braves’ Alex Marshall got down incredibly well and block the low strike. Thomas Orr had a crack a minute later but again couldn’t get past the goalkeeper.

Interestingly, Martin Grehan went down in the box after a blatant push by a Braves defender. Somehow, the referee deemed it fair play and awarded nothing. No worries though as just before the half-time whistle, a penalty was awarded – amongst a stramash during a corner, the referee spotted another shove and pointed to the spot. Declan Hughes stepped up and, despite Marshall guessing the right way, his spot kick was too powerful for the man between the sticks to keep out.

HALF TIME | CALEDONIAN BRAVES 1 – 2 BSC GLASGOW

The second half was certainly not an enthralling spectacle by any means, however BSC were able to kill the game and secure the double over Braves.

The first opportunity arrived in the 60^th minute when Thomas Orr forced Alex Marshall to palm away at a tight angle. Ten minutes later and a brace looked sure for Declan Hughes – a looping free-kick evaded Alex Marshall and seemed destined for the top corner but the ball bounced off the crossbar and out.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Thomas Orr should’ve put the game to bed. Jamie McCormack picked him out with plenty of space and, despite being eight yards out, skewed the shot to the right whistling past the post.

Just after Dave McKay replaced Thomas Orr, the chance to kill the game was handed to BSC on a plate. After only being on the pitch for 30 seconds, McKay made a beautiful run into the box slipping past a handful of Braves shirts and just before he could get a strike away, was brought down by Alan Reid forcing the man in charge to point to the spot once again. Declan Hughes converted and landed himself a brace to give BSC some breathing room.

Three minutes later and Thomas Collins was relieved of his frustration. Jamie Hamilton picked the forward out perfectly allowing Collins to take his time and slice the ball into the bottom left corner giving BSC Glasgow a three goal margin to close the game.

FULL TIME | CALEDONIAN BRAVES 1 – 4 BSC GLASGOW