BROXBURN ATHLETIC V BATHGATE THISTLE

Report

Attendance 140

BROXBURN ATHLETIC VS BATHGATE THISTLE

On Tuesday, we returned to the Albyn, for the 2^nd of five consecutive home fixtures. Bathgate Thistle were the visitors in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup 3^rd round.

On the run up to the third round, Broxburn Athletic defeated Peebles Rovers here at the Albyn 4-1 in the Second Round back in August. Visitors Bathgate Thistle eliminated Arniston Rangers 3-1 at home  in round one and beat Livingston United  at home 3-2 in round two.

Bathgate Thistle come into this in fine form, sitting proudly top of the EOSFL Third Division. They have won 10 of their 12 games, losing and drawing one each. In their last match, they beat Stoneyburn at home 3-1 in league action last Saturday.

Broxburn make 7 changes to the team that defeated Tynecastle 5-0 at the Albyn on Saturday. Callum Heath, Kyle Connely, Darren Downie, Greg Binnie, Conor Thomson, Liam Campbell & Shaun Donoghue come in to replace Greg Page, Errol Douglas, Bob Watt, Gary Brass, Andy Gillen, Lewis Turner & Nicholas Locke.

Broxburn are in their traditional home strips. Red & White shirts, white shorts, and red and white socks and are starting with a 4-3-3 formation.

Bathgate Thistle are in all Navy Blue and start with what looks like a 4-3-3 formation.

It was a fast start for Broxburn. Good early move, Liam Campbell finds Kyle Connely, Connely plays a great ball through for Greg Binnie, but Bathgate Thistle defender Gregor Dryden made an important interception and cleared. Kyle Connelly then soon after had the games first effort on target but it was right at Bathgate keeper Craig Saunders.

Broxburn are dominating possession in the early stages of the match but struggling to breakdown a well drilled Bathgate side. Their first clear chance came soon after, Greg Binnie played in Marky Munro whose shot was tipped wide by Bathgate Thistle keeper Craig Saunders.

GOAL! Broxburn take the lead, Calum Heath delivers an excellent cross from the right, finding Marcus Millar who headed home at the back post.

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 (Millar-15 minutes)

BATHGATE THISTLE 0

In the 16^th minute, Greg Binnie’s shot was palmed wide by Bathgate Keeper Craig Saunders.

Liam Campbell flew down the left and delivered a cross that was just missed by Darren Downie. A minute later, Marky Munro crosses from over on the right that finds striker Downie, but he heads just over the bar.

Kyle Connely finds space on the left; he drives in field and shoots right at  keeper Craig Saunders.

27 minutes in and we have a stoppage in play, Bathgate forward Jordan Devine is down injured. Slack play by Kyle Connely who gives away possession, the ball is worked to Aidan Gibb who shoots over the bar.

30 minutes in and Bathgate have a dangerous free kick right on the edge of the area. Glenn Thomson takes it and its narrowly wide of the left-hand post. Kyle Connely was unlucky for Broxburn a minute later, He cuts in and shoots just wide of the right-hand post.

On 34 minutes, Kyle Connely finds Greg Binnie down the left, Binnie’s shot is just wide of target. Tactical change for Broxburn, Calum Heath looks to be moved to the left and Kyle Connely moves more centrally.

Unfortunately, Bathgate’s number 9 Jordan Devine can’t continue from his earlier knock and is replaced by Finlay Mackay. Free kick for Bathgate, taken by Jordan Roger is well saved down low by Broxburn keeper Shaun Donoghue.

Broxburn should be 2 ahead. Great cross by Conor Thomson finds Greg Binnie whose header from close range is saved by Bathgate keeper Craig Saunders. Another free kick on the edge of the box for the visitors, taken by captain Gregor Bryden, its narrowly wide of target.

Huge chance for a Bathgate equaliser. Captain Bryden takes it, finding James Macadam who heads over from close range.

HALF TIME (1-0 Broxburn Athletic)

Good hold up plays by Darren Downie. He finds Calum Heath who shoots right at Bathgate keeper Mooney.

GOAL! 2-0 Broxburn, Callum Heath finds Darren Downie on the right. Downie crosses over from the right and finds Kyle Connely who taps in for his first goal for Broxburn Athletic.

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 2 (Connely 47 minutes)

BATHGATE THISTLE 0

Greg Binnie does well down the left, he cross finds Darren Downie who scores a tap in, but the linesman has his flag up and its ruled out. Kyle Connely has acres of space down the right-hand side. His cross hits of Bathgate defender Harry Maguire forcing Craig Saunders to make the save.

Good goal for Bathgate. From the free kick, Fraser Cormack finds the left corner from the edge of the area. Game on at the Albyn.

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 2

BATHGATE THISTLE  1 (Cormack-52 minutes)

Kyle Connely picks up Broxburn’s first booking for kicking the ball away in 58 minutes. Marky Munro finds Calum Heath, Heath finds Kyle Connely is free on the right, he cuts inside, and his shot is parried away by the Bathgate keeper. Again, Connely is free wide right, he delivers a great cross but there are no takers for the home side.

After some heroic defending by Bathgate, it comes out to Broxburn Left back Liam Campbell who smacks the outside of the post.

Booking for Broxburn’s Conor Thomson for a foul and followed closely by Marky Munro for descent.

Big chance for a Bathgate equaliser on 70 minutes, substitute Josh Brown finds Finlay Mackay through with just the keeper to beat. Broxburn keeper Shaun Donoghue makes an excellent save.

Subs Broxburn (72 minutes)

On-Errol Douglas, Nick Locke, Gary Brass and Kyle Turner

Off-Greg Binnie, Kyle Connely, Darren Downie and Conor Thomson

Errol Douglas crosses for Nick Locke who heads just wide of target. Marky Munro drives down the right, he cuts inside, and his shot is well saved by Bathgate keeper Craig Saunders. Gary Brass finds Errol Douglas with a chipped ball forward. His inviting cross over has no takers. A Callum Heath header is just wide of the right-hand post. Lewis turner is booked for Broxburn.

Big chance for a late equaliser for Bathgate, Lewis McKenzie shoots way over the bar with just 2 minutes to play.

Broxburn saw out the game against a good Bathgate side. In the next round it’s Bo’ness Athletic in round 4 on Tuesday the 28^th of November at Newton Park.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 2 Bathgate Thistle 1

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE- Mr M Harris

ASSISTANTS- Mr P Dawson & Mr R Hay