Pittman’s players achieve top-flight status and eye title

Broxburn were promoted to the Super League after they beat title hopefuls Penicuik 2-0 at home thanks to two second half goals as they bear down on the championship itself.

After the game a tearful Broxburn boss Stevie Pittman couldn’t hide his delight: “A terrific day for Broxburn and all the fans, players, and everyone associated with the club.

“Everyone has worked their socks off for this and we’ll celebrate, in fact I might not see the wife until Tuesday. The players have been magnificent in the run in and if luck goes our way we could be champions.”

It’s been an incredible three seasons for the Albyn Park side; first they played all their South Division games away from home as their new ground was under construction. They won the title that season and last year were pipped for promotion by a single point. So to go one better is a testament to what Pittman and his colleagues can do. The Super League had better be aware.

In front of a big Albyn Park crowd the home support were on edge to see if they could go one better this year. All they needed was a single point to ensure promotion, but Pittman was having none of that. A win was what he wanted and the players responded to his challenge. Kicking with the wind, they were soon pushing hard for the opener. The Penicuik defence however were giving nothing away, playing at the tope of their game. The result was an edgy blank for both sides at the break.

The second half saw Penicuik take the initiative and it was Broxburn who were on the back foot. But Penicuik couldn’t make the breakthrough and gradually the home side settled. They grabbed the vital opener after 65 minutes. A good passing move from right to left let Mark Cowan in with a chance on goal. He sent a right foot effort past Billy Bald in the Penicuik goal and into the net. The crowd went crazy. They could no doubt see local derbies against Linlithgow and Bo’ness flashing up in front of their eyes.

From then on there was only going to be one winner. The second gaol was worth waiting for. It came in the 80th minute when the manager’s son Scott Pittman, showing a lot more experience than his 19 years, scored with a brilliant goal. He picked the ball up just inside the box, weaved his way past three defenders before drilling the ball into the net.

Stevie Pittman can be proud of what his players have achieved but they have to wait now on what Sauchie can do in their last games. Any slip ups from them and the title is Broxburn’s.

And Pittman added: “It’s an unbelievable day for the club. Scott’s goal was probably one of the proudest moments for me. He’s been playing well in the run in. I’ve had a few sleepless nights recently worrying about if we were good enough to get over the line. Saturday showed we are good enough and it’s unbelievable. This result means everything for everyone at the club. They deserve all of this and more. I can’t believe we’ve done it after coming so close last season.”

The manager’s son, Scott said: “It was good to get a goal but to be honest no one cared who scored as long as we did. We’re looking forward to the Super League next year playing against new faces and sides we’ve never seen.”

Winger Craig Young was also delighted: “It’s been an amazing five years I’ve been here and it gets better and better. A lot of people wrote us off but we had a target when I signed on here and we achieved it.”

Meanwhile Penicuik boss Craig Meikle was big enough to praise Broxburn: “I’m gutted but the better side won on the day. We didn’t lose the title on this performance we lost it at places like Downfield and others. We need to go away now and have a good long think of what to do next. We will probably need some new faces in for next year.”

Broxburn: Holliday, Roycroft, Gibson, Cairns, Kiczynski (Fairweather), Pittman, Martin (Jeffrey), Morrison, Cowan (Martindale), Millar, Young. Subs: Purves, Miller, McPhee, Maley.

Penicuik: Bald, Cunnison, McDermott, Meikle, Reid, Gay, McPartlin (Killin), Barr, O Reilly, Smith (Roxburgh), Brigain. Subs: Knight, Draper, Gallagher, Thomson, Haldane.