BROXBURN ATHLETIC V EDINBURGH SOUTH

Report

Pre – Season Friendly: Broxburn Athletic v Edinburgh South – 19 July 2022

Broxburn continued their pre-season build up in the searing heat at the Albyn against East of Scotland League 2 side Edinburgh South. There were 8 changes in the starting line up from Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Bo’ness. Donoghue, Sayers, Gillen, Gray, Jeffries, Brass, Douglas and a Trialist for Wallace, Newall, Orru, Greenhill, Binnie, McConnell, Downie and Churchill.
Edinburgh South arrived in good fettle having beaten Premier League Tynecastle 4-2 on Saturday.
Broxburn started on the front foot in the 3rd minute Sayers playing a delightful ball through for Douglas who steadied himself before hitting a decent strike which forced Gilpin to save. From the corner Henderson swung the ball back in but the it broke kindly for the visitors hitting Meikle and deflecting back to the keeper.
In 7 minutes Edinburgh South showed their attacking intent Sharkey sliding the ball through towards Martin, needing a last minute intervention from Harrison to prevent a clear chance.
Broxburn should have gone ahead a minute later, Gray the architect playing a fine ball to Douglas but the striker fired just over.
An even better opportunity was also spurned in 12 minutes Henderson leaving defenders in his wake getting past keeper Gilpin catching the ball on the bye line and cutting back to Brass but he shot wildly over.
In an all action game the visitors also added to the gilt edged chance misses Martin taking a fresh air swipe at the ball yards from goal after a ball was played in from the left.
A goal had to come and it duly did in 21 minutes Sayers playing in a great ball from the right which was met by the head of BRASS whose bullet header cracked off the underside of the bar just over the line and back out again. The referee signalled a goal.
It was almost two in 23 minutes Jeffries picking up a poor pass and sliding a great ball to Douglas who got a shot off which was saved by Gilpin. Brass was then denied a second goal by the linesman’s flag, being adjudged offside.
On the half hour Edinburgh South’s Tweed beat Gillen and slipped a ball inside to Martin but he shot well over the bar.
A great 1-2 between HENDERSON and Brass saw the former in the clear and he slotted the ball past Gilpin for the Brox’s second goal. Time 34 minutes.
That man HENDERSON was at it again 2 minutes later going on a solo run beating a couple of defenders on the left and striking a brilliant left foot shot past Gilpin into the right hand corner of the net.
In 38 minutes Henderson and Sharkey were booked.
The visitors should have pulled a goal back but Sharkey’s effort from close range hit the post.
In 42 minutes great play from Henderson again set Sayers away down the right the young wing back seemed caught in 2 minds between cross or shot and his effort was just out of reach of Brass.
In 44 minutes Henderson who had had a brilliant half again set up Brass nicely after a run down the left this time Brass’s effort was well blocked by Brennan.
In first half injury time a neat move from the visitors saw Martin create a shoot opportunity which Trialist number 11 blocked well.
HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 3 – 0 Edinburgh South
Edinburgh South made a change at half time Ashraf replacing Gilhooley.
In 54 minutes Henderson nicely picked out Sayers who strode into the box but his shot was well wide when others were well placed to finish in the centre.
Three minutes later Edinburgh South had a chance a long ball was played forward to Martin but he hurried his shot which was well wide.
On the hour a great long ball from Harrison was well controlled by DOUGLAS on the left and he fired the ball past Gilpin for the home sides 4th goal.
Ashraf played in a decent ball from the right but his forwards Martin and Sharkey were a bit over eager and flagged offside.
The Brox made a number of changes Newall, Downie, Ross Nimmo, Trialist 16, and Churchill replacing, Gray, Henderson, Jeffries, Brass and Trialist 11.
Hassan replaced Pritchett for Edinburgh South.
In 70 minutes Churchill almost made an immediate impact cutting inside nicely from the right but Gilpin did well to save and the ball cleared.
A minute later it should have been 5-0 Churchill and Downie setting up Douglas who beat his man but fired disappointingly wide.
Smith replaced Sharkey for the visitors.
In 78 minutes Churchill swept the ball wide to Donaldson whose cross was blocked for a corner. From the kick Douglas got in a header which was blocked.
After a neat build up down the right Douglas swung over a deep cross which found Nimmo who struck the ball well with his left foot with his effort being deflected over the bar.
The visitors kept plugging away to the end but Martin shot wildly over.
A positive workout for Broxburn after Saturday’s disappointment. Both sets of players deserve credit for serving up a decent game in such high temperatures played at a good pace. The final friendly is at home this Saturday when West of Scotland League Kirkintilloch Rob Roy visit.
FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 4 – 0 Edinburgh South