BROXBURN ATH V IRVINE MEADOW

Report

Soccer Shop Direct Challenge Cup Second Round– Broxburn Athletic v Irvine Meadow XI – 21/11/2020

A return to cup tie action against West Of Scotland league opposition in the shape of Irvine Meadow was always going to be a tough game and so it proved to be. Broxburn showed 4 changes from the game at Jeanfield Swifts, Harrison for the suspended Wright, Binnie for the suspended Kelly, Ireland for Turnbull and Beesley for Brass. Irvine Meadow also made 3 changes from their home loss against Hurlford, McLennan, Pooler and Baird for Carnwath, Henderson and D. Miller.

After a couple of heavy rain showers and a swirling wind to contend with both teams took time to settle.

In the 6th minute good work from Ross saw his cross deflect off a visiting defender for a corner which Beesley took, the headed clearance fell to Grant whose volley ran safely through to keeper Marley.

In 9 minutes Donaldson picked up a knock for Broxburn and had to go off to be replaced by Murray.

Ross was spoken to by referee Shepherd in 12 minutes for a foul.

McLaughlin played in a great free kick into the box for Irvine Meadow in 16 minutes which no one could get on the end of.

Ross was then booked for a push on Sharpe.

Sharpe got in a shot for the visitors from the edge of the box in the 17th minute but it was high and wide of Wallace’s goal.

With Irvine Meadow starting to adapt well to the conditions they went ahead from a corner in 18 minutes, a good delivery from McLaughlin with SLOOVES left unmarked to bullet a header into the net.

Broxburn in trying to get a foothold in the game were almost caught again as the visitors broke at speed McLennan shooting wide from good position.

Another McLaughlin corner in 27 minutes saw McLennan getting his head to the ball but his effort went wide of the target.

McKie was giving Gillen a difficult afternoon beating him to the bye line to get in a cut back which found POOLER whose shot took a deflection off a home defender and into the net to put Irvine Meadow 2 goals to the good with 29 minutes gone.

Broxburn responded in 32 minutes Ross getting the better of Baird to get in a great cross which just eluded Binnie.

The home side went even closer 3 minutes later from their best move of the half Ireland played an excellent through ball to Beesley whose shot had Marley beaten but just crept past the right hand post.

The half ended with Harrison heading over the bar from a Beesley corner.

Half Time Broxburn Athletic 0– 2 Irvine Meadow XI

The visitors made the better start to the 2nd half creating a shooting opportunity for McLennan who shot over the bar in 46 minutes.

McCrae was booked in 49 minutes for a foul on Beesley.

Binnie was booked for talking out of turn to the referee in 53 minutes.

Broxburn had their first chance of the second half in 56 minutes from a Beesley free kick, Ireland got in a shot which was blocked, the ball broke to Grant but he hurried his shot with his left foot and it went harmlessly over the bar.

Irvine Meadow were awarded a free kick in good position in 58 minutes but this time McLaughlin’s effort was high and wide of goal.

Broxburn then broke down the other end of the field playing the ball into Binnie who controlled the ball well and fired in a shot which was straight at Marley.

There was then a flash point in 69 minutes Murray took a bad touch and in trying to retrieve the situation went in heavily on Sharpe which resulted in the referee brandishing a red card to the Broxburn player.

With a mountain to climb and in the same position position as last weeks game ie. 2 goals down and a man down, Broxburn tried to get back into the game Beesley with a free kick in good position curled the ball round the visitors wall but was easily saved by Marley.

Broxburn fashioned another shooting opportunity in 74 minutes but Cowley’s effort was high and wide.

Sharpe was booked for Irvine Meadow.

Cowley was then replaced by the introduction of Turnbull for Broxburn. The visitors also made a change Martin for Pooler.

Irvine Meadow then played a long ball forward which went over Harrison on the left side BOYD controlled nicely and lobbed over the advancing Wallace into the net to seal the game for the visitors in 78 minutes.

Broxburn made further changes Richards and Redmond replacing Ross and Beesley.

There was almost a fourth goal McLaughlin chipping the ball through for Boyd with Gillen claiming offside Wallace did well to save Boyd’s shot.

The visitors replaced Sharpe and Boyd with Reilly and Wardrope in 81 minutes.

In 83 minutes a good cross from Gillen was well controlled by Binnie who turned well and fired off a shot which forced a save from Marley.

Nicol was booked for Broxburn in 86 minutes.

Irvine Meadow were merited winners on the day advancing comfortably to the 3rd round. Broxburn will need to dust themselves down and look for improvement in their visit to Dunbar United back in league action on Tuesday.

Full Time Broxburn Athletic 0– 3 Irvine Meadow XI

Teams:

Broxburn Athletic: Wallace; Gillen, Donaldson, Harrison (c), Grant; Beesley, Nicol, Cowley; Ireland, Binnie, Ross

Subs: Donoghue (Unused), Murray, Richards, Greenhill (Unused) Nimmo (Unused), Redmond, Turnbull

Irvine Meadow XI: Marley; Slooves, McCrae, Sharpe, McLennan, McKie, Boyd, McLaughlin, Pooler, Findlay, Baird

Subs: Martin, Reilly, Wardope, Carnwath (unused), McLean (unused), D. Miller (unused), L. Miller (unused)