Dunbar Utd v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Attendance 451

Scottish Cup Preliminary Round – Dunbar United v Broxburn Athletic – 28/08/2021

A glorious summer’s afternoon with New Countess Park looking resplendent in the sunshine with the home side making their first ever entry into the Scottish Cup. Broxburn showed 3 changes from last week’s victory over Crossgates, Newall, Greenhill and Tait replacing Hutchison, Nicol and Barker. Dunbar made 4 changes following their heavy 5-1 loss at Linlithgow, Ingram , J. Purves, Weir and Edmond made way for Hay, Fleming, , Devlin and Smith.

Broxburn began brightly in the 1^st minute Gillen getting in a cross from the right which found Tait whose shot was blocked by a home defender. As Dunbar broke out from a Broxburn corner, Newall appeared to be fouled going for the ball but the referee thought otherwise, allowing Jones to run from his own half, Gillen put in an unsuccessful sliding challenge leaving JONES clear to fire the ball past Wallace to give the home side a dream start. Time 4 minutes.

With the visitors stunned, a free kick from Jones was curled in which saw Wallace under pressure with the ball being scrambled clear.

The Brox were almost level in 6 minutes, great work from Tait down the right found Allum at the edge of the box, his first time shot just went past Laing’s left hand post.

From a corner in 9 minutes McFarlane won a header which took a deflection and looked to be heading in until Wallace intervened.

A huge blow for Broxburn in 14 minutes Binnie who had been injured after a high challenge couldn’t shake the knock off and was replaced by Ireland.

In 19 minutes the home side went close great work from Thomson beating Newall down the right his cross picked out Berry at the back post and his shot was saved by Wallace with his legs.

Four minutes later Ross played a perfect ball to Ireland on the left who got into the penalty box but his shot was blocked.

Ireland was prominent again in 28 minutes sending a great pass to Allum whose cross returned the ball to Ireland whose shot was well smothered by Laing. Broxburn kept the pressure on and created another shooting chance which Cowley got on target but straight at Laing.

Broxburn continued to create opportunities Ross sending over a fine cross which Allum peeled away to make contact with at the back post but he couldn’t get enough power in the header which Laing saved easily at the left hand post. In 40 minutes the pressure eventually paid off Gillen’s long ball finding Allum who slid the ball left to IRELAND who steadied himself before shooting into the bottom right corner of the net past Laing.

Half Time Dunbar United 1 – 1 Broxburn Athletic

Broxburn made a tactical change at half time swapping the full backs round, Gillen going to the left Newall to the right.

This change nearly worked in 50 minutes Newall finding Ross whose shot was dealt with comfortably by Laing.

Ross was causing problems down the right beating the full back and firing in a shot which was too high.

The same player delivered a great cross in 51 minutes which found the onrushing Ireland who couldn’t direct his shot on target just going past the post.

Jones had been lively throughout for Dunbar and forced Wallace into a good save in 52 minutes.

The Brox should have taken the lead in 56 minutes Ross once again the provider Dunbar made a hash of trying to clear the ball which fell to Ireland who somehow missed the target when a goal seemed certain.

Greenhill, Ross and Allum then combined with the latter curling a shot deep to the back post which Laing had to keep an eye on and deal with.

Dunbar made their first change Hay replaced with Weir in 62 minutes.

Harrison and Devlin were both booked for an altercation where the home player may have been fortunate to stay on the field. From the free kick Harrison’s long ball was well won by Allum who forced a corner.

Incredibly Dunbar cleared from the corner and found themselves in a 2 on 1 break Jones played in DEVLIN who strided clear and slotted past Wallace in 66 minutes.

Broxburn tried to hit back immediately a long ball from Wallace was controlled by Ross who got a shot off which Laing saved.

More self inflicted pain followed for the Brox in 70 minutes a loose pass from Greenhill saw Wright forced into a diving challenge which caught Jones just inside the Broxburn half which he saw red for.

Brass replaced Tait for the visitors.

Broxburn’s afternoon was complete in 74 minutes following a mix up between Harrison and Wallace, DEVLIN was left with the simple task of knocking the ball into an empty net.

Dunbar made 2 changes in 75 minutes Devlin and Berry being replaced by Fairnie and D.Purves.

The home side were in control now with the extra man D.Purves having an effort cleared off the line by Newall.

A very disappointing afternoon and early Scottish Cup exit down by the seaside with Broxburn handing Dunbar 3 gifts for goals. With Linlithgow also going out of ttheScottish Cup it will be an interesting derby match at Prestonfield next weekend.

Full Time Dunbar United 3 – 1 Broxburn Athletic

DUNBAR UNITED   LAING , McFARLANE , THOMSON , DEVLIN ( FAIRNIE 76m) , BERRY ( D.PURVES 76m) , McLAREN , HANDLING , JONES , HAY ( WEIR 62m) , FLEMING , SMITH . SUBS J.PURVES , JOHNSTONE , EDMOND

REFEREE MR G. CALDER   ASSISTANTS  MR R. STRUTHERS , MR D. KERR