BROXBURN ATH V CROSSGATES

Report

Attendance 134

Match Report

East of Scotland Premier League – Broxburn Athletic v Crossgates Primrose  – 21/08/2021

On a dreich day at the Albyn Broxburn were looking to keep their winning run going currently standing at 5 games. For the first time this season manager Townsley was able to name an unchanged starting 11. Crossgates made 2 changes from the side who beat Camelon in midweek Lewis Sawers for Reece Sawers and Aitken for Campbell.

With the rain steadily falling the home side got off to a great start in 7 minutes a Wright pass sent Gillen down the right whose crossed was controlled by ALLUM who fired a great shot into the bottom left corner of the net despite the best efforts of keeper Robertson to keep the ball out.

The visitors responded in 12 minutes from their first meaningful attack McKenzie cutting in from the left and firing in a great curling shot which brought a good diving save from Wallace.

That warning wasn’t heeded by the home defence as a minute later they were caught out by a through ball which sent McKenzie clear, he lobbed the onrushing Wallace who got a hand to his effort but the ball broke to LEWIS SAWERS who headed home from close range.

In 17 minutes Binnie was sent clear of the visitors defence and was stopped by a desperate challenge by keeper Robertson just outside the box which brought a straight red card for the keeper.

Substitute keeper Hunter was brought on to replace goal scorer Lewis Sawers.

From the free kick Allum touched the ball off to Ross who didn’t catch his shot right the ball broke to Cowley who blazed his effort well over the bar.

Broxburn had their tails up and from another great passing move Allum set up Ross who dragged his shot wide of goal.

In 23 minutes a mistake from Hutchison allowed Scott Lawrie room as he advanced to the right side of the penalty box but none of his team mates were up in support with the Brox defence crowding him out.

The visitors despite being down to 10 men were still causing anxious moments for Broxburn,  McKenzie getting a shot on target which Wallace had to deal with.

Broxburn had a great chance to go further ahead from a Binnie cross from the right a mistake by Swan at the back post allowed Allum a shooting opportunity which he hurried and shot over.

Hutchison was booked for a foul on McKenzie.

In 32 minutes it was 10 v 10 when Nicol received a straight red card for a high challenge on Lawrie.

Crossgates took the lead in 42 minutes when AITKEN strided clear of the home defenders from a McKenzie pass and his shot was fired into the bottom left corner of the net, Wallace getting a hand to it but couldn’t keep the ball from hitting the net.

Ross was booked for foul on Ritchie.

The visitors should have increased their lead in first half injury time this time Scott Lawrie was played in by McKenzie but with only Wallace to beat he hit his shot well wide.

Half Time Broxburn Athletic 1 – 2 Crossgates Primrose

Broxburn made a change at half time Newall replacing Hutchison.

Ross had had a quiet first half but burst into the game in 51 minutes with 2 defenders marking him he got the better of them and fired in a shot which just curled over.

Crossgates responded by creating a good chance a Ritchie cross picking out Scott Lawrie whose shot was saved by the feet of Wallace.

As the game swung from end to end Allum sent Newall down the left with a nice pass and his cross was met by the head of Binnie but he couldn’t direct his header on target.

In 62 minutes Newall was prominent again in attack hitting a strong shot from 20 yards which Hunter saved well.

Broxburn made a tactical switch Newall moving to the left and Ross to the right and this change swung the game dramatically in the Brox’s favour. In 66 minutes Ross beat his man and got over a great cross to the back post where an ALLUM header appeared to be brilliantly saved by Hunter, then another save from Newall before Binnie lashed the ball into the roof of the net. The linesman indicated that Allum’s initial header had crossed the line and was therefore awarded the goal to tie the game.

In the most amazing turnaround 2 minutes later Ross was brought down in the penalty box the linesman flagged for a penalty which ROSS dispatched into the net past Hunter.

In 76 minutes Lawrie and McKenzie were replaced with Paterson and McGuire for Crossgates.

In 78 minutes Greenhill then replaced Cowley for Broxburn.

The visitors were now pressing to level the game once again Paterson setting up Aitken whose shot was comfortably saved by Wallace.

Tait replaced Binnie for Broxburn in 80 minutes. McAteer replaced Aitken for the visitors 2 minutes later.

Neil Lawrie was booked for a foul on Ross.

In 85 minutes Barker conceded a free kick in good position for the visitors taken by Graham his cross being decisively punched clear by Wallace.

Crossgates were trying everything to grab an equaliser Paterson denied by great defending from Wright and Harrison.

In 92 minutes both Paterson and McAteer had chances to shoot but delayed with the home defence scrambling clear.

From a break upfield Ross advanced towards goal getting in a lovely curling shot which beat Hunter but struck the right hand post.

Another great 3 points for Broxburn against a very decent Crossgates side who made a great game of it in a very entertaining encounter. Next up for the Brox is a trip to Dunbar in the preliminary round of the Scottish Cup which they go into on a 6 game win streak and a chance to avenge that early season league defeat to the Seasiders.

Full Time Broxburn Athletic 3 – 2 Crossgates Primrose

CROSSGATES    ROBERTSON ,SWAN , McDONALD , RITCHIE , AITKEN ( McATEER 82m) , S. LAWRIE                    ( B.PATERSON 76m) , McKENZIE ( McGUIRE 76m) , SAWERS (HUNTER 19m) ,  C.PATERSON , N. LAWRIE , GRAHAM   , SUBS FORBES , TAYLOR

REFEREE MR A. CRAVEN    ASSISTANTS  MR A. BEBBINGTON , MR L. HARRISON