Match Preview - Civil Service Strollers

The Civil Service Strollers currently sit 9th in the league table with eight points after a
3-1 result against Celtic B in their 5th match of the 23/24 campaign. They will be
looking to bounce back after an early exit from the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup,
losing 2-1 against Haddington Athletic in the second round.

The Braves will look to improve on recent league form and bounce back after a loss
last week away to The University of Stirling. The Braves suffered a 1-0 loss in Stirling
after a cut back across the box was put away by Cammy McKinley.

However, the Braves will be going into this tie with a lot more confidence after a 9-1
thrashing of St Cuthbert Wanderers in the South Challenge Cup. The goal scorers
were, Matty Collins - 3, Ross McNeil - 2, Jaimie Watson - 2, Harvey Moyes - 1 and
Josh Gemmell -1.

Civil Service Strollers have some talented players in their squad to call upon,
Including Conrad Balatoni, at 32 years of age the English Centre-back is one of their
most experienced players. He is the clubs top goal scorer with 3 goals and a real
threat from set pieces. Robbie Cole is a 20 year old left-winger and currently the
clubs most creative player with 2 assists in the first 5 games of the Lowland league.

The last time the two clubs met was the 25th of March 2023 in the Lowland league
with the Civil Service Strollers winning 2-0 at Christie Gillies Park.

Team News

Robbie Stewart (shoulder) and Jack McDowall (knee) - returned to the starting XI on the week and both got through the game well.

Greig Stewart (heel) - back following a minor issue

Enzo Wright (hamstring) - progressing well and he's looking to return in the next couple weeks

Cammy Breadner (hip) - currently out dealing with a hip injury, but nothing too serious should be back soon

Rhys Caves (ankle) - out with an ankle injury following Saturdays game

Ticket Information
Adults £5, Concessions £3 and Under 16’s free.

3pm kick-off at Alliance Park, hope to see you there to cheer the boys onto a
massive three points!

Best of luck to Ricky and the lads! Come on you Braves!

St Cuthbert Wanderers Match Report

Braves Bounce Back in style!

The Caledonian Braves put on a clinic at Alliance Park, on Saturday afternoon, as they
comprehensively beat St Cuthbert Wanderers 9-1.

Manager Ricky Waddell made several changes to his team after they lost 1-0 to the University of Stirling. Robbie Stewart Jack McDowall started in defence while Matty Collins started on the wing.

Right from kick off it was all the Braves. Their first goal came just after five minutes. After an initial shot was rebounded, McNeil was in the right place at the right time and easily converted his chance.

The next 17 minutes was a complete onslaught of dangerous attacks from the Braves. They could have easily been up more than a single goal.

On the 22 nd minute, Collins delivered a dangerous corner into the box and after a bit of scruffy play in the box, the ball struck the hand of a St Cuthbert Wanderers player, and the Braves were rightfully awarded a penalty. Ross McNeil stepped up and scored with ease. The keeper went the right way but there was too much pace on the shot for him to get anywhere near the ball.

With 10 minutes to go until the half the Braves were in full control. The Braves had a huge
opportunity to add another after Collins’ beautiful free kick effort struck the bar.

The Braves had a minor set back as St Cuthbert Wanderers grabbed one back a couple minutes later.

The ball fell to one their players at the edge of the box and they smashed it into the top corner. Despite Bernie White’s incredible game last week, that one was well out of reach for him.

Just as it seemed that St Cuthbert were making a comeback, Jamie Watson silenced the opposing fans by restoring the two-goal lead just before half time. A bit of pinball in the box lead to an easy finish for Watson.

A stellar first half performance from the Braves gave them a 3-1 lead at half time.

The start of the second half was fairly uneventful, St Cuthbert still struggling to mount any
dangerous offence while the Braves took their foot off the gas.

However, 15 minutes into the second half the Braves added a fourth. Matty Collins, having
impressed many times already, worked his defender well and curled a wonderful shot into the bottom corner.

This was a game where every Braves player would have loved to remain on the pitch and get in on the action but with a busy schedule next week manager Ricky Waddell made four changes with Louis Thompson, Daniel Martins, Reece Caves and Josh Gemmell all coming on to feature in the final half an hour.

The next to score was Harvey Moyes. Another brilliant delivery from Collins was initially met by Daniel Martins, however Moyes got the final touch. It was his first goal in a Braves shirt.

The last 10 minutes will be a difficult one for St Cuthbert to forget as the Braves scored four. Collins completed his hatrick with a sublime free kick and a penalty while Gemmell and Thompson rounded the game off.

The Braves will look to carry this momentum back into the league this week as wehost the Civil!