BROXBURN ATHLETIC V BLACKBURN UNITED

Report

ATTENDANCE 313

Scottish Cup Preliminary Round : Broxburn Athletic v Blackburn United – 27 August 2022

(photo’s courtesy of Andrew McPherson )

The first all West Lothian Scottish Cup tie since 1926 saw a great turnout of supporters from both clubs on a fine late summers day.

Broxburn showed 3 changes from last weeks win at Oakley, D.Nimmo replacing Sayers, Greenhill replacing Clark and Binnie for Gillen.

Visitors Blackburn made 7 changes from last weeks win at Hawick Royal Albert, Welna for Saunders in goal and J. Binnie, McLung, Heath, D.Meikle, Richards and Hutton replacing Forrest, Osbourne, Howe, Thomas, L. Meikle and Gould.

The first attempt at goal came in three minutes when Craig Henderson fired over the bar from twenty yards .A minute later Richard Hutton opened up a chance but his shot was saved comfortably by Josh Blair. Henderson made a good move down the left but his ball across the 18 yard box was just to far in front of Ross Nimmo and it went harmlessly behind for a goal kick .

Ross Nimmo engineered a chance moving into the box from the right but was shut down by the visitors defense on ten minutes. A good move involving Gary Brass and Jordan Orru set up Josh Jeffries who’s shot was deflected just wide of the target. Jeffries saw a shot blocked on 15 minutes as the hosts turned up the heat on their visitors

In 18 minutes Brass was fouled by J. Binnie, Jeffries took the free kick with a glorious delivery which saw BRASS rise and plant a firm header on the ball which flew into the top left hand corner of the net to give the home side an early advantage.

Blackburn responded 2 minutes later with ex Brox player Richards making a good run down the left but his cross was headed clear by G. Donaldson.

Henderson then advanced through midfield and was inches away from finding R.Nimmo with his through ball.

Broxburn had claims for a penalty waved away in 27 minutes when Miller appeared to handle the ball after good lead up work from Brass and Henderson.

In 28 minutes a scare for the home side when Blair misjudged a cross from Hutton, Heath clipped the ball back across goal where Meikle got off a good shot which Blair was the equal of.

Henderson was looking lively in midfield this time hitting a great shot from 30 yards which was well tipped over the bar by Welna.

Another good Broxburn move down the left followed, Henderson playing to Binnie whose cross was well cut out by J.Binnie for Blackburn with Brass waiting to take advantage of any mistake.

Blackburn then had a succession of corners which came to a disappointing end when Heath’s delivery went straight out of play.

Broxburn were playing some lovely stuff, in 41 minutes R.Nimmo and Brass created an opportunity for Henderson who steadied himself before hitting a great shot which was matched by an equally good save from Welna.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 0 Blackburn United

Blackburn made a change at half time Campbell replacing Heath.

The Brox started on the front foot in the second half Brass making good ground down the left his pass finding Binnie who got off a shot but straight at Welna.

Broxburn continued to push forward down the right side this time Newall feeding Nimmo but his cross was well over hit.

In 53 minutes great pressure from Campbell forced G.Donaldson to concede a corner Hutton took the kick J.Binnie wins but can’t direct his effort towards goal.

In the following minute Hutton was booked for Blackburn.

The home side continued to look dangerous Brass flicking the ball on from a long ball which found R.Nimmo but he can’t get enough on his shot to beat Welna.

In 57 minutes from a Blackburn corner on the left it was taken short Hutton’s cross deflected off Greenhill and ran across the face of the goal but there was no one to apply any sort of touch.

It was end to end stuff now Newall finding Henderson who shot with his left foot but straight at Welna.

Campbell then came close at the back post getting off a strong shot which deflected off G.Donaldson with the corner cleared.

A real let off for the visitors just past the hour mark Henderson leaving Miller trailing in his wake and hit a cracking drive which beats Welna but cracked the left hand post.

In 65 minutes Jeffries strides forward from centre field and Feeds R.Nimmo on the left who cuts inside and got in a great curling shot which once again Welna is the match of.

Blackburn then forced Blair into a save at the other end after good work from Hutton and Meikle.

Then a moment of controversy in 68 minutes a long ball sees a bit of hesitation in the home defence with loud claims from Blackburn Blair had handled outside his area in the ensuing scramble Blair did brilliantly to deny Campbell.

The visitors then created a glorious chance from a Kane free kick the ball was played across the goal but just out of reach of Hutton with any touch set to be a scoring one.

Broxburn responded in 74 minutes Newall with a fine run and cross down the right Binnie gets in a fine header which just flashed wide of the left post.

Another great save from Welna then denies the Brox R.Nimmo playing in a great cross well met by G.Donaldson.

In 76 minutes Blackburn brought on Cormack and Gould for Kane and Richards. With Churchill coming on for Broxburn a minute later for Henderson.

The Brox sub almost made an immediate impact firing in a great shot which once again produced a great save from Welna with Binnie close to getting to the rebound.

Mildren was then booked for a foul on Orru.

In 83 minutes Broxburn got their reward with the all important second goal from a throw in on the left by Orru which sits up well for CHURCHILL to strike on the half volley from 25 yards and the ball flies into the net just inside the right hand post with Welna unable to reach it.

In 85 minutes it was almost 3 Jeffries and Binnie combined to set up Brass but his shot flies wide. B.Donaldson was introduced to replace Jeffries.

Blackburn then make changes Thomas and Baillie replacing McLung and Hutton.

In 87 minutes its game over Orru plays a neat ball into Brass who chests the ball off to BINNIE who smashes the ball into the net.

Gray then replaced Binnie.

In 89 minutes Newall makes a great run down the right and cut infield his pass finding Gray who nearly makes a scoring first touch curling a great effort to the right but once again Welna pulls off a fantastic diving save.

R.Nimmo was booked in the final minute. Miller was also booked for Blackburn during the game.

A great team performance from Broxburn deserving to move forward to the first round proper of the Scottish Cup. Back to league business next Saturday when Sauchie are the visitors.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 3 – 0 Blackburn United

REFEREE  MR R. CLARK  ASSISTANTS   MR R. DONALDSON , MS N.WESTWOOD