Craigroyston v Broxburn Athletic

Report

A competitive workout for both teams on a fine sunny afternoon with a slight breeze at St Mark’s Park.

Craigroyston kicked off facing into the breeze. Both sides cancelled themselves out in the opening exchanges as they tried to find their passing range. Nicol was prominent for the Brox, breaking up Craigroyston forward forays and starting a few Broxburn moves.

There was a let off in 5 minutes for the home side when keeper Mack sliced a clearance fortuanately around Ireland and to safety.

In 8 minutes a great Nicol pass released Ross on the right but he was unable to take advantage and was crowded out by the home defenders.

Broxburn continued to assert and Ross having switched to the left wing got to the bye line and his cross was met by Ireland whose effort just crept by Mack’s left hand post.

Craigroyston had their first effort at goal a minute later but Smith fired over the bar.

Ross was causing the Craigroyston defence some anxious moments with his direct running and he went close to opening the scoring cutting inside beating a defender and getting a shot off which just went past the right hand post.

The visitors pressure paid off when Donaldson was brought down in the penalty area Ross despatched the resulting penalty into the keeper’s right hand corner of the net.

Craigroyston responded well and were level in 28 minutesafter a fine move down their left the cross was latched on to by Smith who flicked the ball to to the left hand corner of the net despite Donaldson’s best efforts to keep the ball out.

Broxburn were forced into making a substitution at this point when Andy Grant picked up a knock he was replaced by Luke Murray.

The Brox substitute managed to get a shot on target in 36 minutes which didn’t trouble Mack.

Broxburn should have gone back in front in 40 minutes Ross missing with a header and couldn’t connect when there was a chance of a follow up effort.

Hopkinson broke clear a minute later got round the keeper but had been forced wide his shot was blocked from a tight angle but the ball broke to Greenhill who blazed his shot over the bar.

Half Time Craigroyston 1– 1 Broxburn Athletic

Broxburn made two changes at half time Brass and Kelly for Hopkinson and Ireland. Craigroyston made a change too McFadden replacing Robertson.

Their was a lively start to the second half substitute McFadden being thwarted by Wallace who was forced to make a save. Broxburn in their next attack strung some nice passes together between Cowley, Donaldson and Ross which ended with Ross shooting just past the right hand post.

Broxburn were forced into another substitution on 49 minutes Gillen having picked up a knock replaced by Greg Redmond. Craigroyston made two changes in 54 minutes Swanson and Pettigrew for Raiker and Moore.

In 56 minutes Wallace had to look lively to come outside his box to beat McFadden as he tried to latch on to a through ball.

Scott Richards replaced Greenhill on 57 minutes for Broxburn.

Brass managed to get off a strong right foot shot which Mack did well to parry, Ross was on to the rebound and his shot just eluded the left hand post.

Kelly got his first shot of the game in 59 minutes but it was high over the bar.

Further substitutions for Broxburn followed Craig Turnbull for Cowley and Shaun Donoghue for Wallace.

Richards was next to have an attempt at the Craigroyston goal having been set up by Brass which forced a save from Mack who pushed the ball round the post for a corner.

In 67 minutes the visitors increasing pressure paid off when Kelly picked up the ball just inside the Craigroyston half on the left and advanced to the penalty area, he cut inside the home defender and shot expertly into the far left hand corner of the net.

Craigroyston tried to respond and from a free kick from Swanson, Donoghue made a comfortable save.

Murray was booked for Broxburn in 71 minutes.

Craigroyston made further changes in 73 minutes Mackintosh, McLennan and Scholtes replacing Dunlop, Smith and Horribine.

Broxburn added to their tally in 87 minutes after a great through ball from Murray beating the home sides offside trap, Brass strode forward and fired a shot into the net from the edge of the penalty box to complete the scoring.

Full Time Craigroyston 1– 3 Broxburn Athletic

Teams:

Craigroyston: Mack; Raiker, Dunlop, Robertson, Allan, Currie, Smith , Moore, Nisbet, Robertson, Horribine

Subs: Mackintosh, McLennan, Swanson, McFadden, Scholtes, Pettigrew

Broxburn Athletic: Wallace; Gillan, Donaldson, Grant, Wright; Cowley, Nicol, Greenhill, Ross; Hopkinson, Ireland

Subs: Donoghue, Kelly, Richards, Brass, Murray, Redmond, Turnbull