A RUN of four games unbeaten in the South Division had lifted Tranent Juniors’ confidence ahead of Saturday’s East of Scotland Cup first-round tie against Superleague outfit Broxburn Athletic, but boss Hamish Colgan knew his team would have their work cut out against strong opposition who had finished in the top tier’s top six in May.

Tranent’s cause wasn’t aided by the absence of several regulars due to work commitments, holidays and injury, while Bob Branley was suspended after his red card against Crossgates Primrose the previous week.

The visitors’ strength was apparent from the outset, Foresters Park regulars noting immediately the gap between Superleague players and those encountered in the South Division.

It took Broxburn just seven minutes to open the scoring through Keast, and scarcely a minute later the visitors doubled their lead to leave Tranent with a mountain to climb. A corner was headed goalward by visiting defender Rarity but his team-mate Clark claimed the goal, forcing the ball home from close range to be absolutely sure his side went two up.

Tranent did their best to recover from these setbacks but found Broxburn too strong for the most part – they did, however, give themselves some hope on the half-hour when Daniel O’Rourke netted for the third game in succession with an excellent free-kick, awarded after Clark was judged guilty of a last-man challenge and red carded.

Against 10 men it seemed there might be a chance Tranent could build on O’Rourke’s goal and for a spell they threatened to score again, but Broxburn made it to half-time with their 2-1 lead intact.

Tranent came out for the second half aware the tie remained in the balance – were they to manage an equaliser they’d hope Broxburn heads might go down and their numerical advantage could count in their favour.

As it turned out, however, the visitors restored their two-goal lead eight minutes into the second half when Weir netted from a rebound just two yards out, and thereafter there was never much likelihood of Tranent turning things around, especially after they too were reduced to 10 men on 56 minutes after Gareth Gray lashed out at Weir. A terrific effort from 30 yards saw Locke add Broxburn’s fourth to well and truly kill the tie off.

Attention tomorrow switches back to the South Division and an away game against Stoneyburn Juniors.

The West Lothian men made it through to the second round of the East of Scotland Cup on Saturday by beating Rosyth 1-0 and will provide stuffy opposition – they won’t be easily overcome but Tranent are hopeful they can return home with some reward.