Report
Friendly: Broxburn Athletic v Edinburgh South – 15 November 2022
Broxburn and Edinburgh South contested a friendly on a murky night at the Albyn to give those returning from injury and illness some game time.
The Brox showed 8 changes from Saturday’s incredible 5-5 draw against Dundonald. Donoghue, Newall, G Donaldson, Wright, Douglas, Downie, Sinclair, Henderson and Churchill coming in for Blair, Orru, Gillen, R.Nimmo, Binnie, Jeffries, B.Donaldson and Gray.
In the 3rd minute Clark and Henderson worked a neat move down the right with the latter getting to the bye line but Brox loanee Hamilton saved well at his near post.
Both full backs for Edinburgh South were prominent in their first real attack in the 6th minute the move going from left to right with the right back firing high over the bar.
In the 7th minute the best chance of the game so far from a corner on the left Wright rose high at the back post heading back across the goal to Douglas who headed over from point blank range.
The next minute produced another home chance Newall going on a run and his cross was headed clear by the visitors centre half falling to Sinclair whose shot flew wide.
Newall was again on a rampaging run down the right in 12 minutes with his cross hitting the inside of the post and cleared by the Edinburgh South right back for a corner. Wright again won the header at the back post from the corner but this time his effort takes a deflection back to keeper Hamilton.
The Brox continued to knock the ball around well Sinclair sliding the ball through to Churchill at the edge of the penalty box where he struck a shot which Hamilton had to look lively to tip round the post.
Churchill and Newall were combining well on the right flank with the full back getting in a shot which flew over the bar.
The chances continued to come and go for the Brox Downie playing a great through ball to Douglas who was in on the right side he struck his shot well but Hamilton did well to dive to his right to save.
The pressure had to tell and eventually did in the 20th minute Newall again playing a strong part in the lead up and Churchill with Edinburgh South not able to clear their lines DOUGLAS headed home from 3 yards out.
G.Donaldson had to go off injured in 22 minutes Sayers replaced him.
The visitors had some possession in the home half in 27 minutes the left back swinging in a good cross which Wright headed clear.
Edinburgh South continued to grow into the game the left back playing a nice pass to the centre forward who got in their first meaningful shot which deflected past the post for a corner. Sayers cleared the corner.
In 34 minutes the Brox broke out quickly Sinclair sent Douglas clear he unselfishly squared the ball to Downie 18 yards out but he slid his shot past the post.
Then against the run of play Edinburgh South equalise Clark gave possession away the ball was played into the centre forward who steadied himself before shooting the ball past Donoghue and into the net.
In 44 minutes Churchill played a great flighted ball down the wing for Newall who crossed well but their were no red shirts on hand to finish.
In first half injury time a Churchill corner fell to Wright but he rushed his shot when he had time and it went well over the bar.
HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 1 Edinburgh South
Changes at half time saw R.Nimmo replace Henderson and Gray for Douglas.
In 46 minutes Nimmo made an immediate impact on the left playing a neat pass to Churchill who hit a strong shot just wide of the left post.
Churchill went closer in the following minute hitting the bar with a header from a Newall cross.
In 53 minutes it was the visitors turn to hit the woodwork the ball headed clear by Churchill fell to the left back 25 yards out with his effort rattling the bar.
A Nimmo cut back was just out of reach of Downie as the game opened up.
Gray was next to try his luck from the right but his shot just cleared the bar.
In 57 minutes Brass replaced Downie.
In 58 minutes a Gray cross was blocked for a corner. From the resulting kick Gray clipped in a great ball which WRIGHT headed into the net.
Nimmo was looking lively on the left cutting inside and shooting but Hamilton saved well.
The Brox stretched there lead in 66 minutes Brass setting up CHURCHILL whose shot flew into the net to make it 3-1. Time 66 minutes.
Churchill was then replaced by a Trialist No 8 in 69 minutes.
In 75 minutes Edinburgh South pulled a goal back the right back playing in a ball which was neatly finished.
In 78 minutes Clark was replaced by Trialist No. 21.
The Brox set up another decent chance a minute later Nimmo played the ball into Brass who couldn’t provide the finish.
In a very open game now Edinburgh South forced Donoghue into a save to preserve the home lead.
A Gray free kick hit the defensive wall in 82 minutes the ball is then fired in from the right which one of the Edinburgh South defenders almost diverted into his own net but Hamilton is alert to the error and saved.
Both sides continued to try and press forward in the closing minutes with Brass being presented with the clearest opportunity by Gray in injury time but the striker skied the ball over the bar.
FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 3 – 2 Edinburgh South
Referee Mr D.D.Kay