Report
Attendance 125
League Cup Group E – Broxburn Athletic v Craigroyston – 12/03/2022
Broxburn got their League Cup campaign underway at a bright and breezy Albyn Park with Conference A side Craigroyston providing the opposition. The Brox made 4 changes to the side which defeated Musselburgh, Dan Nimmo for Murray, Nicol for Greenhill, Ross Nimmo for Binnie and Mair for Brass.
Craigroyston had a heavy reverse at home to Leith in their opening League Cup game by 7-0 so were out to make amends.
Broxburn were on the front foot from the off but it was the visitors who almost took the lead in 6 minutes on a breakaway Gary Mair was given a chance when Donoghue hesitated when coming out of his goal but his lob however did go over the keeper but didn’t threaten the goal.
In 8 minutes from a corner Mair for the Brox fashioned a shooting chance which was gathered easily by keeper Sanchez at his near post.
Mair then made a great run down the right beating defenders but his final touch gave Sanchez a chance to save which he got down to well.
The game was being played almost entirely in the visitors half with an endless stream of corners. From a short corner between Ross Nimmo and Mair, the latters cross to the back post found Dan Nimmo who controlled well but couldn’t get enough on his shot to beat Sanchez.
The corners continued with efforts from Mair and Ross Nimmo off target.
In 18 minutes Gillen was set up nicely by Ross Nimmo and Barker, he caught his shot well but it just went wide of the left hand post.
The Brox should have gone ahead in 19 minutes Tait sent Donaldson clear on the left, the full back steadied himself but shot wide when others were available for a cut back.
In 23 minutes Ross Nimmo had a great chance after being put through but seemed caught in 2 minds between a shot or a cross in the end his effort was neither.
Chances continued to come and go another gilt edged chance this time falling to Tait, Mair and Ross Nimmo were once again the creators but same result shot was dragged wide of target.
Craigroyston did manage a rare foray forward in 31 minutes with Dylan Tait shooting well wide.
In 35 minutes the breakthrough was finally made Ross Nimmo playing a defence splitting pass to BARKER who fired the ball into the net.
It was nearly 2-0 in 37 minutes Tait playing a nice ball inside to Nicol who struck the ball well but saw his effort hit the post.
In 40 minutes from a Nimmo corner DONALDSON made a great run to fire in a neat finish to put Broxburn two to the good.
In 41 minutes Craigroyston made a change Bolochoweckyj replacing McGrouther.
Great interplay between Nimmo and Gillen and a perfect cutback for MAIR to apply the finish to make it three in 43 minutes.
Broxburn were rampant now and Ross Nimmo sent Tait into the clear he was brought down in the penalty box. From the penalty ROSS NIMMO converted.
In an incredible end to the half NICOL volleyed in a fifth goal from a corner right on half time.
Half Time: Broxburn Athletic 5 – 0 Craigroyston
Broxburn made 2 changes at half time Cowley and Beagley replacing Tait and Gillen.
Broxburn should have added to their total courtesy of another penalty Ross Nimmo being brought down. This time he blazed his penalty kick over the bar.
In 54 minutes Donaldson did well down the left to cut the ball to Nimmo who took his shot with his left foot but it was a tame effort straight at Sanchez.
In 56 minutes Kerr replaced Afedzie-Hayford for the visitors .
Great defending from Bjarnason prevented Donaldson getting in on goal as the visitors struggled to contain the eager home side.
In 62 minutes Murray replaced Newall.
Then in 63 minutes right out of the blue the ball was played forward to JACK and he hit an incredible shot from 35 yards high on the volley which dipped under the bar and over Donoghue into the Broxburn net.
The Brox should have restored their 5 goal advantage in the following minute but Barker shot over when well positioned.
The sixth goal was only temporarily delayed ROSS NIMMO being brought down again in the box and this time he dispatched the ball past Sanchez for a 6-1 lead. Time 65 minutes.
From a Nimmo free kick on the left he sent in a great ball which eluded both Donaldson and Harrison with the visitors defence posted missing.
It was seventh heaven for Broxburn in 70 minutes a great move down the right a forward ball expertly flicked on by Nimmo sent MAIR into the clear and he shot low into the bottom corner of Sanchez net.
Burke and Pettigrew replaced Brennan and Cowling for Craigroyston.
The Craigroyston defence was breached again Nimmo again finding MAIR who provided a nice touch to finish and complete his hat trick. Time 72 minutes.
To Craigroyston’s credit they continued to try and go forward and were rewarded from a corner in 74 minutes Bolochoweckyj being left on his own at the back post and he cracked the ball into the home net to make it 8-2.
The scoring continued in 81 minutes from a Nimmo corner HARRISON rose powerfully to get a great header which bulleted into the net.
Beagley made good ground down the right before cutting inside and passing to Mair whose shot was deflected over the bar.
With Craigroyston tiring Barker and Donaldson both went close to adding to the home score.
Double digits were achieved with Nimmo again involved finding Beagley on the right his cutback was perfect for BARKER to shoot home number ten.
An excellent start to Broxburn’s League Cup campaign overwhelming a plucky Craigroyston side. Great to see the goals spread round a number of different players. The Brox had an incredible 40 shots! A trip to Coldstream is next up where another win will be required.
Full Time: Broxburn Athletic 10 – 2 Craigroyston
CRAIGROYSTON SANCHEZ , BJAMASON , McGROUTHER ( BOLOCHOWECKYJ 41m) , BRENNAN( PETTIGREW 71m) , THOMSON , COWLING ( BURKE 71m) , BUCKLE , MAIR , JACK , TAIT , HAYFORD ( KERR 56m) .
REFEREE MR D. GRAVES ASSISTANTS MR J. LESLIE , MR A.BROWN
vs 
Craigroyston
