Inverkeithing v Broxburn Ath

Report

Attendance  175

Match Report

Est of Scotland Premier League – Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Broxburn Athletic – 11/09/2021

Broxburn made the short trip across the Forth to Dalgety Bay to face Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts who have made a really solid start to the season. Broxburn made three changes from the side who won on Wednesday night at Jeanfield, Brass, Hutchison and Nicol replacing Greenhill, Harrison and the departed Ross.

In the 2^nd minute Cowley played a great ball to Tait who advanced towards goal striking a shot just over the bar.

A Hutchison mistake in 4 minutes allowed Kelly room to cross which Wallace called for and took well. He then launched the ball down field TAIT picked the ball up on the left cut inside his marker and curled a brilliant shot into the top corner of the net to put Broxburn ahead.

A great ball from Gillen down the right which was collected by Allum, the ball sat up well for him to strike but keeper Kaye saved comfortably at his near post.

Inverkeithing were getting a lot of time and space and they made use of this in 9 minutes, Kelly crossing, Morris flicked on with his head to SPENCE who was free to volley past Wallace at the back post.

The Brox had a gilt edged chance a minute later to get themselves in front a Gillen cross was not dealt with by the home defence but Allum fired his shot over the bar.

Hynd was booked for a foul on Cowley in 13 minutes.

The home side were concentrating their attacks down their left which were not being closed down by the visitors Kelly’s cross well defended by Gillen with Morris waiting to pounce.

In 21 minutes Inverkeithing took the lead a mistake from Donaldson which allowed a clear chance for SPENCE who curled a fine shot into the top right corner of the net past Wallace.

Morris got in on the left side and his cross was dangerous but thankfully from a Brox point of view Nicol defended well to concede a corner.

In 25 minutes Ireland tried his luck from 25 yards which was on target with Kaye having to keep a close eye on it to prevent the ball going in the top corner.

In 37 minutes Broxburn appealed for a penalty for handball from a Hutchison cross which wasn’t given.

Broxburn continued to give the hosts far too much time on the ball and only great defending from Hutchison prevented Simpson getting clean in on goal.

Half Time: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 2 – 1 Broxburn Athletic

Newall replaced Ireland for Broxburn at half time.

A Nicol free kick forced Scullion to concede a corner which was taken short Cowley crossed in the ball which broke to BRASS who turned and smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Time 47 minutes.

There was much more purpose and energy about Broxburn’s play now after a foul by Deas on Brass, Allum controlled the ball and shot on goal but he didn’t get enough purchase on his shot and was saved by Kaye.

Deas did well in 53 minutes to cut out a through ball from Nicol with Allum clean in on goal if he hadn’t.

The Brox continued to impress Cowley playing a great ball to Allum which sat up with Allum’s lob beating Kaye but just going over the bar.

The visitors were knocking the ball about to good effect setting up Nicol to try his luck from 25 yards out but his shot didn’t match the approach play.

A real left off for Broxburn on the hour, Kelly’s cross after a great run found its way to the back post to the onrushing Simpson who couldn’t control his shot and fired wildly over the bar.

In 62 minutes a great ball down the right wing from Wright found Allum who had timed his run to perfection he tried to play the ball to Brass in the centre but just couldn’t get the ball past the home defender.

A similar move followed Gillen playing to Newall this time and his high cross didn’t find either of Brass or Allum who were well placed.

The game was going end to end now Kelly’s cross found Morris whose header was blocked by Donaldson for a corner. Wallace dealt with the corner well.

In 69 minutes Tait created an opportunity down the right his cross was met by Allum whose header forced Kaye into a save.

In 70 minutes Barker and Greenhill replaced Cowley and Brass followed by Brough replacing Cowie for the home side moments later.

In 73 minutes Spence played a great cross field ball from left to right to find Morris whose cross was well defended by Gillen to concede a corner. From the corner a Brox head won the ball but hit the visitors cross bar and scrambled clear.

In 76 minutes Paterson was booked for a foul on Tait. From the free kick Newall crossed finding Wright at the back post but he snatched at his shot and flew well off target and high.

Broxburn were claiming for a handball again in 82 minutes from a Greenhill shot but nothing was given.

In 84 minutes Simpson replaced Hynd and Graham replaced Morris for Inverkeithing.

In 89 minutes from a Greenhill free kick Wright won a header Barker challenged for the ball with Kaye which the referee judged fair with no penalty awarded.

A hard fought point for the Brox with a much improved 2^nd half performance with a point the least they deserved. Inverkeithing have made some astute signings and now sit 4^th in the league and will be very difficult to beat this season. Broxburn move on to the re-arranged derby next Saturday at Linlithgow Rose.

Full Time: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 2 – 2 Broxburn Athletic

INVERKEITHING HILLFIELD SWIFTS   KAYE , PATERSON , SCULLION , MAUCHLAN , DEAS , HYND (R.SIMPSON 84m) , T.SIMPSON , COWIE (BROUGH 71m) , MORRIS (GRAHAM 84m) , KELLY , SPENCE ,

SUBS DOWIE , ANNANDALE , CLARKE , STENNETT

REFEREE   MR. R. BOWIE   ASSISTANTS  MR. S. BINNIE , MR. D.BROGAN