BROXBURN ATH V SAUCHIE

Report

ATTENDANCE 151

East Of Scotland Premier League: Broxburn Athletic v Sauchie Juniors – 3 September 2022

(Photo’s courtesy of Andrew MacPherson )

Douglas congratulated after the first goal        Douglas denied by Clark after great ball from Nimmo

Not to be denied Broxburn’s 4th and Douglas’s 2nd to seal the points earning MOM award

Broxburn welcomed Sauchie Juniors to the Albyn getting back to league business following last Saturday’s Scottish Cup success.

There were 3 changes in the home side line up Douglas, Clark and Churchill replacing Brass, Greenhill and Henderson.

For the visitors, who also triumphed in last weeks Scottish Cup ties by 4-2 over St Andrews, there were also 3 changes Balmer, McCaughie and Chris Kelly for Carroll, Docherty and Morgan.

It was the visitors who created the early chances with Connor Kelly turning in the box before crossing across the six yard box where Daniel Smith floated a header on to the top of the bar and over . Samuel Collumbine tried a shot from the edge of the box that went just wide left of the target.

In 7 minutes, Churchill advanced well from midfield beating a couple of defenders before cracking a shot wide to the right.

Sauchie responded in 9 minutes Columbine sending a volley high over the bar from the right.

Broxburn were knocking the ball about well on the left Orru, Binnie and Jeffries manufacturing a chance which required a timely interception with Jeffries in shooting range.

A similar move down the right bears more fruit, R. Nimmo sliding a great pass to set Newall away on the right he cut inside Peacock playing the ball to Churchill whose quick pass went to DOUGLAS who fired the ball under Clark and into the net.

In 17 minutes its not far off being 2-0, R.Nimmo and Newall again combining well to set up Jeffries with his shot just curling wide of the left hand post.

Sauchie served notice that they were a danger forcing a corner which Smith took with Cavanagh getting a free header which crashed off the bar.

In 25 minutes R.Nimmo played a fine ball to the left to pick out Orru who moved forward into the penalty box where he is challenged by Willaghan who mis-times his challenge leading to the referee pointing to the spot.

JEFFRIES dispatched the penalty kick low into the right hand corner of the net just out of the reach of Clark. Time 26 minutes.

The visitors carved out a great opportunity in 29 minutes Smith sliding a ball through to Cavanagh which keeper Blair is alert to and makes a great save from his shot.

On the half hour another free flowing move from Broxburn, R.Nimmo playing a great ball across to Douglas who catches on the half volley and hits keeper Clark somewhat fortuanately on the goal line.

Broxburn carved through the visitors defence in 32 minutes R.Nimmo, Churchill and Douglas combine with the latter’s final pass just out of reach of Binnie.

Sauchie had a free kick 30 yards out after a foul on ex Brox striker C. Kelly, Smith took the kick but its blazed wildly over.

In 40 minutes the Brox’s slick passing continued to cause problems R.Nimmo, Newall and Churchill whose ball just fails to play Nimmo in on goal.

Clark was booked for Broxburn.

In 42 minutes Connor Kelly played a neat pass to Chris Kelly with the Brox defence standing off him he had a clear shot which Blair dealt with comfortably.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 2 – 0 Sauchie Juniors

Henderson replaced Churchill at half time.

In 48 minutes Henderson is brought down by Balmer who is booked. Henderson takes the free kick but its just too high and clears the bar.

Against the run of play the visitors get back in the game, Smith playing a great ball over to the back post where DAVIDSON got the better of D.Nimmo and heads past Blair to pull a goal back. D.Nimmo was booked.

Sauchie had their tails up now MCCaughie hitting a fine shot from 25 yards which just drifted wide of the post.

This warning was not heeded and in 56 minutes the scores are tied Connor Kelly laying the ball off to McCAUGHIE whose shot is struck low and hard into the bottom left corner.

Just past the hour R.Nimmo and Jeffries are replaced by B.Donaldson and Greenhill.

The visitors continued their best spell of the game forcing 2 corners in quick succession which Blair punched clear.

In 65 minutes Binnie does brilliantly to flick the ball through to HENDERSON on the left who drills the ball hard and low which Clark can’t get enough on to stop going into his net.

A minute later Orru makes great ground down the left and gets to the edge of the penalty area before shooting but Clark gathers his effort.

In 71 minutes Columbine and Chis Kelly are replaced by Hutchison and Connor.

In 75 minutes Connor Kelly was booked.

There is then a sending off for Willaghan for a late challenge on Binnie.

Its Broxburn’s turn to force 2 corners in succession after great work from Orru, Henderson and Binnie but nothing comes of them.

Sauchie made further changes in 84 minutes Ross Balmer and David McCaughie off for Jack Fisher and Jon Tully. This was followed by Gillen for Binnie for Broxburn in the following minute.

In 87 minutes Broxburn make the game safe Orru again providing a great cross picking out Newall at the back post whose shot is blocked off to DOUGLAS who does brilliantly to divert the ball into the net.

There’s a further Sauchie booking in injury time Tully for appearing to catch D.Nimmo in the face.

G.Donaldson was also booked for Broxburn in the game.

A resolute performance from Broxburn having stormed into a 2 goal lead and losing that advantage they showed great resilience to battle back to get an all important 3 points. Back to cup action next week and a trip to Whitburn.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 4 – 2 Sauchie Juniors

REFEREE MR M. HARRIS