BROXBURN ATHLETIC V CROSSGATES

Report

Match Report

East of Scotland Premier League – Broxburn Athletic v Crossgates Primrose – 05/12/2020

An incredible game that had to be seen to be believed as Broxburn returned to Albyn Park after a run of away games. There was one change in the home side from Wednesday’s draw at Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale Ross replacing Beesley. Crossgates also had one change from last Saturday’s home defeat against Camelon, Campbell replacing Leighton.

Broxburn started well earning a free kick 22 yards from goal Binnie fouled by McDonald. Ross took the kick which hit the defensive wall and broke to Nicol whose shot took a deflection for a corner. Greenhill took the corner which was curling towards goal and needed a header from Swan to concede another corner which nothing came of.

Crossgates had their first opportunity in the 7th minute also from a free kick 25 yards from goal but Lawrie blasted the kick high over the bar.

In the 11th minute Gillen sent Binnie away down the right and his cross just needed some more pace and it may have reached Brass at the back post but was cut out and well defended.

Binnie and Brass were combining well, Binnie getting in a shot which was blocked running through to keeper Burt.

Broxburn continued to build their moves well Ireland cutting inside to get a shot on target then good work from Ross whose cross was met by the head of Brass bringing a save from Burt.

In 19 minutes the visitors were close to taking the lead Aitken playing the ball wide right to Campbell he stabbed the ball across goal taking a deflection off Grant with Wallace doing brilliantly to claw the ball off the line.

Broxburn responded with a good move down the left, Redmond picking out Nicol who surged past the Crossgates defenders, his cut back was good but out of reach of Ross.

As the game swung from end to end Campbell played a long ball finding McKenzie who picked out Lawrie who cut inside into a good position but fired over the bar when well placed.

Moffat was booked for a foul on Binnie in 29 minutes.

From the resultant free kick Greenhill’s shot was well struck forcing Burt to save but he couldn’t hold on to the ball, BINNIE was first to the rebound and smashed it into the net.

Broxburn doubled their advantage almost immediately Redmond’s cross from the left was out of reach of keeper Burt and BRASS headed the ball down into the net.

Things improved further for the home side Ireland and Binnie combining to set up ROSS who hit a cracking shot which was blocked by Forbes, breaking back to Ross who fired the ball into the top corner to put Broxburn three goals to the good.

Broxburn almost had another on the stroke of half time, from a short corner Greenhill crossed with Wright getting a header on goal which just crept past the post.

Half Time Broxburn Athletic 3– 0 Crossgates Primrose

Crossgates with nothing to lose pressed forward at the start of the second half, Campbell firing in a cross which squirmed under Wallace and went for a corner.

From the corner Campbell intelligently picked out GALLOWAY about 25 yards from goal and he hit a shot which took a deflection and nestled in the bottom right hand corner of Wallace’s net.

In 52 minutes great work from Binnie forced Forbes into an error, Ireland’s pin point pass picking out BRASS who fired the ball past Burt to make it 4-1.

From kick off Crossgates were allowed to run down the field Campbell crossing to the back post where LAWRIE took one touch to control then fired the ball past Wallace.

Crossgates threatened again in 55 minutes from a Campbell corner Swan winning the header which went wide of target.

Lumsden then replaced McKenzie for the visitors.

Incredibly Crossgates pulled another goal back in 56 minutes Swan’s cross again to the back post was won by Aitken he picked out LAWRIE who flicked the ball over Wallace to make it 4-3.

Broxburn were stung into a response, Ross from a run down the right played the ball to Brass whose shot was blocked by Swan.

Ross was again prominent in Broxburn’s next attack again finding Brass who this time shot narrowly past with Burt beaten.

A trialist replaced Moffat for Crossgates in 60 minutes.

Ross went another good run in 66 minutes but with great options either side and ahead of him he took on one man too many and the chance was gone.

In 70 minuttes Broxburn replaced Redmond and Ireland with Murray and Beesley.

From a Campbell cross Lawrie was pulled back by Grant with referee Gamble awarding a penalty and booking the Broxburn player.

Lawrie took the kick which was magnificently saved by Wallace on to the post and cleared.

Nicol was booked for a rash challenge on Aitken in 77 minutes.

As Broxburn continued to play out from the back Crossgates were chasing them down at every opportunity which fashioned a chance for the trialist who hit the ball straight to Wallace.

Crossgates made a further change Reece Sawers replaced by Lewis Sawers. Kelly replaced Brass for Broxburn.

In 84 minutes Wallace come out confidently to claim a cross. He then threw the ball short this time it went to a Crossgates player who slipped the ball to the TRIALIST whose shot took a deflection on the way into the net to tie the game.

In 86 minutes a Greenhill shot was blocked it broke to Binnie who turned and shot which looked to be heading in until Galloway brilliantly managed to stop.

Nimmo replaced Binnie in 88 minutes.

Then in stoppage time the ever dangerous Campbell played a 1-2 with Lumsden got himself inbetween Murray and Wright, there did seem minimal if any contact but enough for referee Gamble to award a penalty. This time LAWRIE made no mistake from the spot to complete his hat trick and an unbelievable come back from the visitors to clinch the 3 points.

Full Time Broxburn Athletic 4 – 5 Crossgates Primrose

Teams:

Broxburn Athletic: Wallace (c); Gillen, Redmond, Wright, Grant; Greenhill, Nicol, Ireland Ross, Binnie, Brass

Subs: Donoghue (Unused), Murray, Kelly, Beesley, Nimmo, Turnbull (unused), Cowley (unused)

Crossgates Primrose: Burt; Swan, R. Sawers, Forbes, McDonald, Moffat, Galloway, Lawrie, Campbell, Aitken, McKenzie

Subs: Nutt (unused), L.Sawers, Lumsden, Trialist (15), Trialist(16) (unused), Trialist (18) (unused)