BROXBURN ATH V BLACKBURN UTD

Report

East of Scotland Premier League – Broxburn Athletic v Blackburn United – 07/11/2020

In a derby game that had everything Broxburn showed 3 changes from last Saturday’s win against Whitehill Welfare. Murray, Wright and Ireland for Gillen, Harrison and Kelly. Blackburn showed one change from their win at Sauchie Drummond for McClung.

Blackburn kicked off but lost the ball in the Broxburn half, Ireland played a great ball forward to Brass who turned brilliantly and his through ball sent ROSS clear and he cracked an unstoppable shot passed keeper King into the net to put the Brox 1 up in 17 seconds.

Blackburn responded in 5 minutes Laurie Devine heading just past the left hand post.

Brass and Ross combined once again for the home side in 7 minutes but Ross stumbled at the vital moment.

Then a turning point 2 minutes later, striker Campbell was played through just outside the penalty area, Wright’s attempted challenge brought down the Blackburn player with referee Grieve left with little option but to show a red card as a goal scoring opportunity had been denied.

The sending off forced a defensive re-shuffle for Broxburn, Nicol moving back into centre defence alongside Grant.

In 11 minutes from a MacLeod corner Campbell won the ball in the air but his header went over the cross bar. The equaliser was only delayed by a minute as Devine got the better of Nicol down the right, his cross forced Wallace into a save with the ball breaking to SMITH who smacked the ball into the net.

There were then a couple of bookings Lawrie for a foul on Brass and Cowley for a professional foul to prevent a Blackburn break.

Greenhill got in a shot at the visitors goal in 21 minutes but he didn’t catch it correctly and was easily collected by King.

In 25 minutes from a short corner between Greenhill and Ross who played the ball to Ireland who tried to go past McLeod but was brought down. Referee Grieve pointed to the spot with ROSS stepping up to take the penalty which he smashed into the net for his 8th goal of the season.

A mistake from Nicol in 28 minutes provided Redfern with a decent opportunity for Blackburn but he failed to find a telling cross. Brass was then booked for Broxburn.

Blackburn equalised for the second time in 33 minutes, MacLeod send a free kick into the Broxburn box, Campbell once again won the header which hit the inside of the post bounced back out to DRUMMOND who applied the finish.

In 42 minutes Brass was fouled by Lawrie giving Greenhill an opportunity from a free kick which he floated to the back post just eluding Redmond.

Half Time Broxburn Athletic 2– 2 Blackburn United

Broxburn kicked off the second half with Beesley on for Ireland and went straight onto the attack Murray’s cross being won by Brass who headed back across the goal but there was no one in a red shirt to take advantage.

Broxburn won a free kick after good play by Cowley and Beesley which was stopped by a hand ball. Beesley put over a brilliant ball which GRANT timed his run perfectly to get on the end of to guide the ball into the net for his first ever Broxburn goal.

Mildren then picked up a yellow card for pulling back Brass in 58 minutes.

Blackburn went close in 61 minutes from a MacLeod corner Mildren made good contact with his head but just over the bar. Kane was next to have an effort at the Broxburn goal but his shot was well over the bar.

KELLY was then introduced for Brass in 68 minutes and had a dramatic instant impact Ross taking a quick free kick allowing Kelly to get clear of the visitors defence and with his second touch applied a great finish past King.

Blackburn tried to hit back quickly from a MacLeod corner the ball was played to Redfern whose shot came through a crowd of legs which Wallace must have seen late but he managed to touch round the post.

Blackburn made 3 changes in 75 minutes Jordan Devine, Watson and Howie for Lawrie, Smith and Laurie Devine.

Blackburn then had another chance in 77 minutes great combination play between Campbell and Redfern put the latter in on goal from a tight angle on the left but his chip went over the bar.

Campbell then went close in 80 minutes his shot going narrowly wide as the visitors fought hard to get back into the game.

In 87 minutes Broxburn sent on Gillen for Cowley.

The Brox nearly added a fifth goal Beesley and Ross combining at a free kick which Ross hit on target forcing King to tip over the bar.

In injury time, MacLeod was booked for kicking the ball away to end a frustrating afternoon for the visitors.

An entertaining encounter with a great 3 points for Broxburn having had to play 80 minutes with 10 men. Sets things up nicely for the visit of Tynecastle on Tuesday.

Full Time Broxburn Athletic 4– 2 Blackburn United

Teams:

Broxburn Athletic: Wallace (c); Murray, Redmond, Wright, Grant; Cowley, Nicol, Greenhill; Ireland, Brass, Ross

Subs: Donoghue (Unused), Hopkinson (unused), Gillen, Binnie (unused), Kelly, Beesley, Turnbull (unused)

Blackburn United: King; Mildren, Drummond, Lawrie, Browne, Kane, Smith, MacLeod, L. Devine, Campbell, Redfern

Subs: J. Devine, Watson, Howie, Anderson (unused), Swanson (unused), Kidd (GK unused)