Nairn County F.C. v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Match Report

Scottish Cup Round 1 – Nairn County v Broxburn Athletic – 26/12/2020

Broxburn made the long trip to Nairn County for the first round of the Scottish Cup tie against Highland League Nairn County in the most atrocious of conditions in heavy rain and a strong wind.

Broxburn made 1 change from the team successful in the preliminary round against Newton Stewart, Wright for Nicol. Nairn named the same side which lost in the Highland League last Saturday at home to Fraserburgh.

Broxburn were quick out of the traps Ross getting a great shot forcing Dylan MacLean in the home goal into an early save which he spilled but the home defence cleared.

Nairn’s first effort at goal in the 4th minute from McNab was high over the bar.

In 7 minutes the Binnie / Brass partnership was in evidence for the Brox, Brass shooting just wide of MacLean’s right hand post.

McNab was proving a handful down the Nairn left getting over a good cross well headed clear by Townsley.

From a foul by Ross in 15 minutes Nairn had a good field position from the free kick which Mac Lennan shot straight at Wallace.

In 17 minutes after a good passingmove Binnie put over a tempting cross but no red shirt could get on the end of it.

Wallace had to look lively a minute later to smother the ball at the feet of Davidson.

A big blow for Broxburn in 23 minutes Brass sustaining an ankle injury and stretchered off to be replaced by Kelly.

In 29 minutes the best piece of play of the half so far, Ireland played the ball inside to Binnie who turned and cut inside and worked a position to shoot and his curling effort looked net bound until a brilliant diving save from Maclean denied the Brox forward.

The home side were having more of the ball as the half moved on but they couldn’t really fashion any great opportunities to score McNab showing up well but his cross was hit first time by Shewan but shot well over the bar.

Shewan went much closer in 44 minutes his overhead kick striking the post.

In the 3rd minute of injury time more woe for the visitors Wallace having to be replaced with a hip inury by Donoghue.

Broxburn had a great chance from a free kick in the 6th minute of injury time Ireland touching the ball off to Greenhill who didn’t quite catch his shot correctly as it trundled wide of the left hand post.

Half Time: Nairn County 0 – 0 Broxburn Athletic

Broxburn made a reasonable start to the 2nd half Binnie and Kelly working a good opportunity for Ireland in 48 minutes but he took on an ambitious shot which flew well over.

Nairn looked threatening in 51 minutes to create their best opportunity of the game down the right side playing inside to Shewan who rolled a pass to the unmarked Ramsay who should have done better with his shot which he hit straight at Donoghue who saved both his efforts.

The home side went close again McNab getting in a great strike which Donoghue was pleased to see go wide with him at full stretch.

Ewan then played a great pass to Shewan, Donoghue being quick off his line to smother the ball at the strikers feet.

Wright was booked for a foul on Ewan in 56 minutes.

Howarth was then booked for the home side for pulling back Kelly.

In 62 minutes a let off for Nairn when Ross went on a great run leaving defenders in his wake, playing the ball to Binnie who was fouled 22 yards from goal. Greenhill’s free kick took a deflection but it hit the inside of the post and came out to safety.

Another great chance for the Brox in 72 minutes Ross at the heart of it playing the ball into Binnie who couldn’t get enough purchase on his left foot shot Dylan MacLean diving to his left to save comfortably.

In 77 minutes McKenzie replaced Ramsay for Nairn.

Beesley then replaced Ireland for Broxburn.

In 81 minutes there was strong shouts for a penalty Binnie’s cross was claimed to have hit Howarth’s hand.

The visitors continued to press and created another great chance Kelly’s cross breaking to Wright who couldn’t get a good connection with the ball and his tame effort trickled through to MacLean.

In injury time Nairn almost snatched victory, from a free kick conceded by Harrison, MacLennan curled his free kick over the wall and on to the cross bar.

Full Time: Nairn County 0– 0 Broxburn Athletic

Into extra time Nairn kicked off.

Both teams struggled in the early part of the first period to produce a telling final ball.

Beesley got in a promising position on the left found by Greenhill but he had strayed just offside.

In 98 minutes keeper MacLean was sharp off his line to deny Kelly.

In 100 minutes Main replaced Shewan.

Into the 2nd extra time period, Donoghue again did well to come out off his line to smother the ball at McNab’s feet. The same player shot wildly over 2 minutes later when well placed.

In 110 minutes Dey replaced Ewan.

Kelly then put over a good cross which Binnie just couldn’t connect with with his head.

In 116 minutes another good Broxburn move, Ross again a great run picking out Beesley with his pass but he failed to get in a shot.

Kelly then did excellently when faced with 3 home defenders he got into the penalty area but despite having chances to get in a shot he didn’t take the opportunity.

In 118 minutes from a corner Townsley’s header was saved by MacLean, Townsley got to the rebound to head back out in front of goal to Binnie who scrambled the ball into the net. However the referee blew his whistle for the ball being kicked out of MacLean’s hands!

Ross was booked for Broxburn.

Donaldson replaced the injured Townsley in 119 minutes.

Extra Time: Nairn County 0 – 0 Broxburn Athletic

On to penalties Kelly and Ross and Porritt and MacLennan were all successful with the first four kicks. Greenhill taking the fifth kick for Broxburn scuffed his shot wide of the target. Main put Nairn ahead 3-2 with Beesley levelling the scores. Donoghue then pulled off a magnificent save palming McNab’s kick over the bar. Binnie’s kick was then saved by MacLean, leaving Howarth to send Donoghue the wrong way with the final penalty.

A desperate way to lose for Broxburn when it looked as though they had snatched a win late in extra time. Having put so much into the game after such a long journey was heart breaking. The injuries to Brass, Wallace and Townsley just piled on the misery.

Penalties: Nairn County 4 – 3 Broxburn Athletic

Teams:

Nairn County: D MacLean; C. MacLean, Ramsay, Porritt (c), Dingwall, Howarth, Ewan, MacLennan, Shewan, Davidson, McNab

Subs: Main, McKenzie. Ednie (unused), Dey, McConaghey (unused), J MacLean (unused), Counsell (unused),

Broxburn Athletic: Wallace; Gillen, Hutchison, Harrison, Townsley, Ross, Wright, Greenhill, Ireland; Brass, Binnie

Subs: Donoghue, Redmond (unused), Kelly, Turnbull (Unused), , Beesley, Donaldson, Cosgrove (unused), Kelly