First Team
Braves Play Host to Gretna 2008!
5th September 2023
Caledonian Braves will return to Alliance Park on Tuesday night, for the first of two home games in quick succession. After back-to-back draws and a pair of strong performances over recent weeks, Ricky Waddell’s side will be looking to get back on the winning track, as we look to progress up the Lowland League table!
Opposition insight
Gretna are a club who were founded in 2008, after the administration of Gretna FC, a club with a regarded history in the Scottish game. Gretna played Premiership football as recently as 2007/08, after a rapid rise through the leagues and reached a Scottish Cup final in 2006. Gretna 2008 became founding members of the Lowland League in 2013 and play their home games out of Raydale Park.
This week’s opposition have endured a tough start to the season, scoring five and conceding forty-eight, following a tough 8-0 loss to Tranent last time out. However, Gretna have shown their quality on occasion this season, after picking up a dramatic and impressive victory over Civil Service Strollers, two weeks ago.
Former Gretna man Rhys Caves could be in line to face his former club for the first time this week, after signing for the Braves after departing Raydale Park this summer. Braves defender Daniel Martins also spent one year with Gretna, in the 2022/23 season.
Previous Meetings
Last season, the Caley Braves donned a 100% against Gretna, winning both meetings in the Lowland League. A good trend that we hope to continue, especially as we won by a margin of six goals when the sides met at Alliance Park in late July. On the day, the goals came from Jamie Watson (x2), Ross McNeil, Cammy Breadner, Marc Kelly and Jamie Walker. Our December meeting was a closer affair, with a singular Luke Main goal settling a 0-1 away victory for the Braves.
Team News
Enzo Wright will once again miss out, as he ramps up preparations to return from a hamstring injury sustained in pre-season.
Fellow midfielder Kristian Gkegkas will be available for selection, after overcoming a minor hip knock sustained against Hearts B
Our Last Outing
Last time out, the Braves picked up a point away to East Stirlingshire, our second straight 1-1 draw.
Ross McNeil had looked to have won it for the Braves late in the second half, after smashing home a penalty after being introduced from the bench. Despite digging in and coming close to scoring a second, the equaliser came for East Stirlingshire, with 86 minutes on the clock. A full match report can be found at the link here.
Highlights can also be seen here and Ricky Waddell’s post-match interview at the link here.
We hope to see you along at Alliance Park tonight, and if you can’t be there, make sure you stay tuned for live updates on our social media platforms and matchday app! Best of luck to Ricky and the lads!