BROXBURN ATH V LEITH ATHLETIC

Report

Match Report – Friendly – Broxburn Athletic v Leith Athletic – 26/09/2020

The first home friendly of the 2020/21 season turned out to be a high scoring affair at a pristine looking Albyn Park following all the work done over the summer.

Leith kicked off and were first to threaten in the 2nd minute when a misplaced pass from Nicol was worked into Molloy but his shot flew past the left hand post.

Broxburn’s first chance came in the 6th minute when Brass sent Binnie clear into the penalty box but he delayed in getting a shot off allowing the visitors defence to clear for a corner.

Leith won a free kick around 35 yards from goal in the following minute taken by Sproule and with the home defence static Molloy headed wide when well placed.

Broxburn had a sustained period of possession in the Leith half but couldn’t capitalise Nicol shooting over.

In the 12th minute Leith again looked dangerous, showing why they had already beaten Premier League opponents Newtongrange Star in a friendly, forcing Wallace into two saves in quick successsion from Molloy and Maughan respectively. The second save resulting in a corner.

From the corner played into the near post area, was poorly defended with Kneeshaw getting to the ball first and scoring from close range in 13 minutes.

Five minutes later a great long ball from Harrison found Kelly on the left who cut inside his man into the penalty area his shot hitting the target but saved by Rankin.

Broxburn continued to press with a fine run and shot from Richards which Rankin again saved.

However the increasing pressure paid off when a Greenhill through ball found Brass, he was brought down in the penalty area. Kelly cooly slotted home the resultant penalty kick.

Parity did not last long as Leith took full advantage when the home side lost the ball in 25 minutes Molloy curled his shot beyond Wallace into the net.

Broxburn hit back with Richards firing a shot wide and Binnie lobbing the keeper but his effort drifted to safety.

On the half hour Leith who were playing a high pressing game almost increased their lead after the ball was lost in midfield Wallace was forced into a double save from Maughan.

Broxburn levelled for the second time in 34 minutes after a great cross from Richards, Kelly headed the ball into the bottom right hand corner of Rankin’s net.

In 39 minutes the pace of the Leith strikers saw Wright forced into a last ditch challenge just outside the box. From the resultant free kick Sproule hit his shot in to the home wall the ball breaking to Maughan whose shot forced Wallace into a great save.

The action continued to go from end to end Binnie hitting the bar from close range after Rankin dropped a cross from the left.

Wright was booked in 43 minutes.

Half Time Broxburn Athletic 2– 2 Leith Athletic

Broxburn made three changes at half time Ross, Hopkinson and Ireland replacing Greenhill, Kelly and Brass. Leith also made changes Mein and Shaw for Bathgate and Molloy.

Broxburn should have taken the lead in 47 minutes after a defensive mistake from the visitors Binnie was left with a great chance which he didn’t connect with cleanly and the ball spun away to the right.

In 52 minutes fine combination play between Donaldson, Hopkinson and Ireland who slipped the ball to Ross who shot the Brox in front for the first time.

Broxburn continued to assert themsleves, Ireland firing a shot over the bar and Ross forcing a save from Rankin after a good move down the right.

In 54 minutes Leith replaced Mayer with Williamson and McKenzie for Veitch.

In 59 minutes Broxburn should have increased their advantage Harrison missing his kick when well placed and Donaldson hitting the side netting when the ball broke to him.

Leith had their first attack of the second half on the hour with Redpath taking a free kick which forced Wallace to save.

Further changes for Broxburn in 62 minutes, Donoghue, Redmond and Turnbull for Wallace, Richards and Nicol. Leith also made a change Garvey for Dempster.

With Broxburn causing the Leith defence problems Binnie cut the ball back to Hopkinson who back healed the ball brilliantly to Ireland who shot against the inside of the post.

The same player went close again in 68 minutes after good work from Binnie and Donaldson, he headed wide when well positioned.

The wave of home attacks continued Hopkinson being sent clear by Binnie but an excellent tackle from Kerr stopped the home player getting his shot in.

Kneeshaw was booked in 70 minutes for bringing down Turnbull.

In 78 minutes great work from Ireland found Hopkinson who got round the keper on the left with his cut back finding Binnie who couldn’t apply the finish.

Ireland was set up nicely by Ross in the following minute but Rankin did well to save.

Broxburn were made to pay for not taking the numerous chances they had created when Leith hit 2 goals in 2 minutes to take the lead 4-3. Shaw did well down the left to get in a great cross which Garvey got on the end of and shot the ball past Donoghue. Then Mein fired the visitors ahead once more.

In a crazy finish to the game Hopkinson got to the bye line and cut back for Ross who calmly slotted the ball home at the back post in 88 minutes. In the last minute of normal time the Brox were back ahead again Hopkinson doing the damage down the left his cross headed high into the net by Binnie.

The drama wasn’t over however Leith going down the other end of the park with Mein’s header hitting the bar.

Binnie was booked for Broxburn in 92 minutes to bring an eventful game to an end. Credit to both teams for serving up an entertaining encounter in the autumnal sunshine.

Full Time Broxburn Athletic 5– 4 Leith Athletic

Teams:

Broxburn Athletic: Wallace; Gillan, Donaldson, Harrison, Wright; Richards, Nicol, Greenhill; Binnie, Brass, Kelly

Subs: Donoghue, Hopkinson, Ross, Ireland, Murray (Unused), Redmond, Turnbull, Grant (Unused). Cowley (Unused)

Leith Athletic: Rankin; Bathgate, Mayer, Sproule, Kerr, Veitch, Molloy, Maughan, Redpath, Dempster, Kneeshaw

Subs: McKenzie, Smith (Unused), Allan (Unused), Mein, Garvey, Cairns (Unused), Williamson, Shaw