BROXBURN ATH V CREETOWN

Report

Soccer Shop Direct Challenge Cup First Round– Broxburn Athletic v Creetown – 24/10/2020

The first cup tie of the season at Albyn Park with visitors Creetown making a 250 round trip from the South of Scotland to Albyn Park.

Broxburn had a couple of early opportunities from free kicks in decent positions Jack Beesley’s effort hitting the visitors defensive wall.

In the fifth minute Creetown showed they weren’t here to make up the numbers McHarrie latching on to a long ball and getting a shot in which flew wide of the goal.

Broxburn went closer to the opening goal in 10 minutes Beesley playing a great through ball to Hopkinson whose shot went wide of the post.

Creetown continued to carry some threat on breakaways and from a cross field pass Nathan McKay got off a shot on the right side of the penalty box but it was always going wide and into the side netting.

The visitors good spell continued with McKay in good position on the right his cutback found Jones whose cross was met by a timely interception from Wright as David Hughes was on hand to get a strike in on goal for Creetown. Connor Wallace punched the resultant corner clear of the goal.

In 18 minutes a mistake from Wright when his pass was intercepted allowed Herries to get in the first shot on target which Wallace comfortably saved.

Creetown were working really hard closing down Broxburn making it very difficult for the home side to create opportunities. However Hopkinson did manage to work a good position and his shot just crept wide of Brown’s right hand post.

In 22 minutes Ireland made good ground down the right beating Bruce his cross was over hit though.

On the half hour a good build up presented Hopkinson with a decent opportunity but Creetown full back Rogers got in a challenge just as the shot was struck which was easily collected by Brown.

Creetown were forced into a change in 33 minutes with Whorlow having picked up a knock, he was replaced by McKenzie.

The visitors had another good spell the hard working lone striker McHarrie getting in a good shot from the edge of the box and Rogers driving a dangerous cross across the face of the goal but no Creetown player was on hand to do any damage.

Broxburn responded from a Beesley corner Grant headed over the bar.

Half Time Broxburn Athletic 0– 0 Creetown

Broxburn made a half time change Ross for Kelly.

Hopkinson was first to threaten for Broxburn in the second half cutting inside on the left hand side his shot looked like heading for the target but was well blocked for a corner by Rogers.

With much more tempo about Broxburn’s play they finally unlock the visitors brave defence in 50 minutes Wright passed to ROSS who cut in from the left and his shot is well placed bouncing just in front of Brown in the Creetown goal into the right hand corner of his net.

In 52 minutes Broxburn won a free kick in good position on the left side which Beesley takes trying to catch Brown out at his near post but the ball hits the side netting.

With the pressure increasing Broxburn score a second goal in 54 minutes a delightful ball from Hopkinson frees ROSS who fires into the net.

Creetown made another change in 56 minutes Kiltie replacing Hanlon followed 3 minutes later by a Brox change Brass coming on for Hopkinson.

After a great team move, Ross crosses a great ball to the back post which Wright wins and heads back across the goal for REDMOND to head into the net from 3 yards for his first Broxburn goal.

In 63 minutes McKay is booked for Creetown, from the free kick Brass hits the visitors wall.

Broxburn were in control of the game now and only a great defensive tackle from Hughes on Ross prevents another scoring opportunity.

In 71 minutes Ireland sends over a great cross which Ross gets on the end of but his shot is blocked by McKay for a corner.

Jordan Wright picked up a booking in 72 minutes.

Hughes then hit a long range shot from fully 35 yards out but it is always slightly high and clears the bar. Richard Jones is next to have a shot for the visitors but its straight at Connor Wallace.

Broxburn then put together a move down their right on 73 minutes which sees Murray get in a cross which breaks to IRELAND whose shot is partially blocked but can’t be prevented from going into the net.

The joy of going 4 goals up is tempered by Wright picking up a second yellow card and being sent off.

The sides are levelled up numerically in 80 minutes when Ross breaks free and clear in on goal down the right side Rogers brings him down and is promptly shown a red card. ROSS confidently strokes the penalty kick into the corner of the net sending Brown the wrong way.

The scoring is completed in 87 minutes Ireland hanging up a great cross to the back post for BRASS to head into the net from close range.

Broxburn were made to work hard for their victory which was convincing in the end but credit should be given to Creetown for a very hard working performance which should stand them in good stead back in the South of Scotland league. Broxburn’s reward for the win is to face Irvine Meadow at the Albyn on 21 November.

Full Time Broxburn Athletic 6– 0 Creetown

Teams:

Broxburn Athletic: Wallace (c); Murray, Redmond, Grant, Wright; Beesley, Nicol, Turnbull; Ireland, Kelly, Hopkinson

Subs: Donoghue (Unused), Ross, Brass, Greenhill (Unused) Gillen (Unused), Cowley(unused), Harrison (unused)

Creetown: Brown; Rogers, Bruce, Whorlow, Hanlin, Hughes, Jones, Herries, McKay, Miller, McHarrie

Subs: McKenzie, Kiltie, McCulloch, Wilson (unused)