BROXBURN ATHLETIC V DUNDONALD BLUEBELL

Report

Attendance 160

East Of Scotland Premier League: Broxburn Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell 12 August 2023 

Broxburn returned to the Albyn after 2 excellent away wins at Musselburgh and Luncarty to face Dundonald Bluebell. Last season’s game between the two had produced a 10 goal thriller in a 5-5 draw.

Dundonald had made a decent start to their season winning 3-1 last Saturday against Hutchison Vale and seeing off Edinburgh United 3-0 in the East Of Scotland Qualifying Cup.

Dundonald kicked off playing into the wind blowing down the ground. In the 1^st minute from a clearance by the visiting defence Brown was struck in the head by the ball and required lengthy treatment and was unable to continue. In 5 minutes Rogerson came on to replace him.

Locke got in the first shot of the game in 7 minutes from the right side of the penalty box he hit the ball well but into the side netting.

However the opening goal was to come at the other end Bremner gave the ball away in midfield to Hall who slid a neat ball through to HEALY who was in on goal who steadied himself and slotted the ball past Watt.

Broxburn responded well to the setback Locke playing the ball to Davidson who in turn fed the ball into the box to Douglas who held the ball turned and slid the ball just wide of the left hand post.

In the 11 minute Douglas was fouled by MacKenzie. Turner took the free kick on the right about 22 yards from goal. Lennox in the visitors goal did well to palm the ball out for a corner. Turner took the corner low which was easily dealt with and cleared.

A real lung busting run from Campbell in 15 minutes on the left from the halfway line saw him leave defenders in his wake and delivering a cross from the bye line which Douglas couldn’t get enough on with his flick going past the left post.

A minute later and ex Brox full back Orru was fouled by Bremner 25 yards from goal on the left. Lumsden took the free kick Brass heading clear, Rogerson played back in but Watt claimed comfortably.

The Brox had a real let off in 18 minutes when the defence were split open again Hall having a clear sight of goal but he screwed his volley wide of the right hand post.

From a Turner corner in 22 minutes Page won the ball in the air his header found Douglas whose shot deflected for a corner. Turner took the kick once again creating a shooting opportunity for Bremner but he dragged his effort wide left of goal.

Broxburn allowed the visitors another chance this time LUMSDEN cooly knocked the ball past Watt and into the net to make it 0-2. Time 28 minutes.

Broxburn threw themselves a lifeline 3 minutes later Turner won the ball in midfield and fed the ball out to Munro on the right wing who sent over a fantastic cross which beat Sibanda was controlled by DOUGLAS who turned and cracked the ball into the roof of the net. Time 31 minutes.

Five minutes later Bremner played a nice ball down the wing for Brass to chase, he got to the bye line his cross being met by Sibanda who conceded a corner. From the Brox corner Dundonald broke quickly although Hall appeared to foul Campbell which wasn’t given Healy and Hall played the ball between them with the latter tapping the ball into the net but was flagged offside.

Bremner was booked in 38 minutes.

In 45 minutes Munro put over another great ball which Sibanda clearly handled in the air, the referee awarded a penalty with the Broxburn players incensed Sibanda wasn’t sent off only seeing a yellow card. Davidson was also booked. DOUGLAS stepped up to the take the penalty where he dispatched the ball past Lennox to tie the score.

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HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 2 – 2 Dundonald Bluebell

Dundonald almost got themselves back ahead in 48 minutes Locke did well on the right to cut out a pass at the concession of a corner. Lumsden took the kick McCulloch got his head to the ball with the Brox defence scrambling the ball clear inside the 6 yard box.

There was another scare in 51 minutes Orru played in a ball from the left Campbell totally mistimed his clearance attempt which luckily went out of the reach of Healy.

In 54 minutes Munro fed Locke on the right who played over a low cross which Sibanda didn’t deal with the ball breaking to BRASS who didn’t make the best of connections on his shot but was good enough to go into the left hand side of the net to complete a great Brox come back.

Eight minutes later and it was 4-2. A Munro cross was blocked for a corner on the right. Campbell took the kick which was excellently delivered right on the head of DOUGLAS who headed down and ball flew into the net.

Downie replaced Brass in 64 minutes.

The Brox were having an excellent spell from another flowing move Davidson played a ball down the left for Campbell to chase his cross again was a good one Sibanda doing well to defend.

In 67 minutes Drummond and Healy went off for Dundonald, Smith and Murphy coming on.

A minute Broxburn made a change Heath replaced Davidson.

Locke made a great run down the right feeding Downie whose cross picked out Heath who hit a good shot on target which Lennox saved well.

Substitute Murphy was booked in 71 minutes.

A minute later another change for the visitors Mackenzie went off Kennedy came on.

From a long wind assisted ball forward SMITH just got to the ball before Page and he expertly lobbed Watt the ball bouncing before entering the roof of the net. Time 72 minutes.

Dundonald had been lifted by the goal with Rogerson sending in a cross which Kennedy won but his header looped over the bar.

Binnie a Broxburn substitute was booked off the field.

In 77 minutes Douglas was substituted by R.Nimmo.

Munro was booked for a foul on Orru.

In 85 minutes Rogerson got off a shot which Watt did well to save at Hall’s feet but the striker had been flagged offside.

Campbell sent Heath for a run down the left wing who got in a cross which Lennox did well to cut out and save.

Downie did well in 88 minutes sliding a great ball to R.Nimmo who miscued his shot completely when in great position.

Page did brilliantly in defence to strongly challenge and retain possession and then sent a fine long ball which R.Nimmo controlled but shot with his left foot went well wide on the right side.

The visitors last chance in injury time came from an Orru long throw on the left Hall and then Lumsden had shots which were blocked with the Brox seeing the game out for their 4^th league victory maintaining the 100% start to the season.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 4 – 3 Dundonald Bluebell

Referee  Mr J.Kelly   Assistants Mr J.Gardiner , Mr S. McArthur