Report
ATTENDANCE 190
East of Scotland Premier League –Broxburn Athletic V Blackburn United – 16/04/2022
Derby day at the Albyn with relegation threated Blackburn United as visitors.
Broxburn showed 2 changes from last week Murray replacing the injured Harrison and Nicol for Greenhill.
Blackburn had no fewer than 4 ex Broxburn players either first team or Colts in their matchday 17.
Blackburn were first to show with a half chance in 5 minutes Garrard getting clear of Murray although the home side were claiming a foul, Nimmo stepped in to thwart the Blackburn forward when in good position.
Broxburn responded well a couple of minutes later Gillen feeding the ball inside to Tait who neatly found Mair whose first time pass was intercepted by Miller with Brass ready to pull the trigger behind the Blackburn defender.
In 10 minutes a free kick from halfway inside the Broxburn half taken by Heath was hit to the back post where Drummond got his head to the ball but couldn’t direct on target.
The visitors continued to look dangerous Hutton beating Newall all ends up down the left sending over a great cross which broke to Kane who curled his shot just wide of the right post.
Tait was a bright spark for Broxburn down the left beating 2 men and firing over a tempting cross which no one in red could get near.
Hutton once again beat Newall easily down the left but his cross was out of reach of his colleagues in black.
Broxburn’s best move of the half in 23 minutes saw Newall get clear on right and send in a great cross which Brass got to at the front post but his header flashed wide.
Broxburn continued to knock the ball about confidently Barker and Mair combining well on the left with the latter’s cross again finding the head of Brass, this effort going over the bar.
Mair had switched to the right and his cross looked like it might go in until a timely intervention by keeper Smith.
From a Donaldson free kick in 33 minutes he slipped the ball to Brass who hit a great shot from 25 yards which flew just wide of the right hand post.
From a mistake by Murray Blackburn had a 2 on 2 break which was squandered by Garrard.
In 45 minutes Mair did well once again putting over a great cross but no one in Broxburn colours could capitalise on. Great defending from Owens broke up good build up play from the home side.
The visitors had a great chance to take the lead in first half injury time but Heath headed wide.
Half Time: Broxburn Athletic 0 – 0 Blackburn United
Blackburn came out flying in the 2nd half forcing a corner off Nimmo which Heath took and Miller won but headed wide.
Wallace was called into action a minute later tipping a Howe drive from 25 yards over the bar. The home defences poor defending at set plays continued Drummond having a free header he couldn’t convert from another Heath corner.
Newall was brought down for Broxburn just outside the box to the right, Mair taking the free kick but his shot was straight at Smith and easily gathered.
Heath was having a good game for Blackburn beating Donaldson and getting off a shot which was easily collected by Wallace.
On the hour Binnie replaced the injured Mair.
The substitute almost had an immediate impact getting into a good position his attempted cut back was blocked for a corner. From Tait’s corner Brass won the header but his header was off target.
Both sides seemed to be cancelling each other out in an attempt to break the deadlock until the final 15 minutes when the visitors needing a result took control. Hutton hit a great shot from 30 yards which brought a great save from Wallace.
Howe was booked for a foul on Murray in 78 minutes.
The pressure continued to build on the Brox Garrard being brilliantly denied by Newall after a mistake by Nimmo. Another ball was thrown into the home box with Gillen winning it but the ball diverting just wide of his own goal.
From the corner in 81 minutes loud shouts from Blackburn for a penalty as Miller appeared to be held down.
In 83 minutes from a Heath free kick into the box shouts for handball were waved away by the referee with the ball hitting off Owens and through to Wallace.
In 84 minutes Murray went off injured Townsley replacing him. Howe then went off for Blackburn Browne coming on.
In 88 minutes from another ball into the box Wallace made a clear shout to come out for the ball but clattered into Owens in doing so, this time the referee awarding the penalty.
Substitute Browne stepped forward to take with his first touch but his shot was brilliantly saved by Wallace diving to his left but HEATH was first to react and fired the rebound into the Brox net.
Garrard was booked for Blackburn in injury time. Tait of Broxburn and Kane of Blackburn were also booked during the game.
A very disappointing performance from Broxburn with few chances created over the 90 minutes. Blackburn who needed the result in their relegation battle outbattled Broxburn and got their reward with their late winner. Broxburn need to look to respond positively in their trip to Dundonald Bluebell next weekend.
Full Time: Broxburn Athletic 0 – 1 Blackburn United
BLACKBURN UNITED SMITH, MILDREN , DRUMMOND , OWENS , MILLAR , MEIKLE , HUTTON , KANE , GARRAD , HOWE (BROWNE 84m) , HEATH SUBS , DEVINE , McCLUNG , WILSON , SAYERS , SAUNDERS
REFEREE MR A. GAMBLE ASSISTANTS MR A. BROWN , MR C. SANDERSON
vs 
Blackburn Utd
