First Team
Braves capital bound once more
24th February 2023
Caledonian Braves return to Lowland League action on Saturday following Wednesday’s thumping Southern Counties Challenge Cup victory over Mid-Annandale, as they make the trip to the capital to face Edinburgh University.
Braves previously hosted Edinburgh University at Alliance Park in August, winning 5-0. Marc Kelly’s double-brace and captain Scott Forrester’s strike sealed an emphatic victory for Ricky Waddell’s side over the Uni. We have also been victorious in four out of the last five meetings.
On Wednesday night, the Braves overturned a two-goal deficit at half-time to score seven past Mid-Annandale at New King Edward Park. Ross McNeil scored five in a scintillating comeback performance for Ricky Waddell’s men, with Marc Kelly’s penalty and Cammy Breadner adding to Braves’ impressive turnaround.
Bernie White made his Braves bow in Lockerbie, as manager Ricky rotated his side to include a centre-back pairing of Jamie Walker and Jack Duncan; with Enzo Wright complimenting in midfield.
Despite missing an opportunity to open the scoring at Central Park in Braves’ 1-0 defeat to Cowdenbeath, Ross McNeil made no mistake against Mid-Annandale; scoring five to stun the South of Scotland Football League side, who headed in at half-time with a 2-0 advantage.
The Caledonian Braves’ immense cup victory secured entry to the next round of the Southern Counties Challenge Cup, which will be drawn soon.
Opposition Report
Edinburgh University are one of two universities competing in the 2022/23 Park’s Motor Group Lowland League, along with the University of Stirling, who sit impressively in third as of writing.
However, this season has been a very different story for the capital’s university side. Currently Edinburgh Uni languish in 18th place, 22 points adrift of safety. They have also conceded 108 league goals this campaign, the highest in the division.
Like the University of Stirling, Edinburgh University’s side is comprised of students who attend Edinburgh University, with each player at various stages of their degrees, and playing semi-professional football in the hopes of carving out a career in the beautiful game.
Edinburgh Uni manager Dorian Ogunro will look to right his side’s wrongs against the Braves and secure the Uni’s first victory in five months and in 2023 – a 3-2 win over East Kilbride in early September.