Report
v Dundee North End – 9 July 2022
Broxburn’s first friendly of the season in the glorious sunshine and heat at the Albyn with Midland League opponents Dundee North End the visitors. Six of the new signings featured in the starting line up for the Brox, Sayers, Clark, Henderson, McConnell, Downie and Orru.
North End had already played 2 friendlies against Kirrie Thistle and Dundee FC Under 18s, in the lead up to their league season opener on 23rd July against Lochee Harp.
Broxburn kicked off with the breeze at their backs.
The home side were first to have an attempt at goal in 2 minutes from an Orru throw on the left Downie controlled and shot but his effort was high over the bar.
A minute later captain Shaun Harrison, in an aerial challenge, was caught accidently with a flailing arm which resulted in a bloodied nose and him having to leave the park for 3 minutes for the injury to be attended to.
In 6 minutes a nice break down the left saw Rice get in a cross which was half cleared falling nicely to Devine who curled in a shot to the right which Donoghue dived to his left to save at full stretch.
The visitors continued to look dangerous and should have taken the lead in 11 minutes after a bad mistake from Gillen, Devine was clean in on goal but the striker hurried his shot when there was no need to and he miscued his effort completely.
Broxburn started to grow in to the game and from their best move to that point in 19 minutes Binnie and Downie combined well resulting in Downie having a clear shooting opportunity inside the penalty box but Ferrie saved his effort well with the clearance completed by a defender.
Both sides continued to try and pass the ball about probing for an opening which North End managed to achieve on the half hour MacLeod adjudged to have been brought down by Orru.
DEVINE stepped up confidently to convert the resultant penalty to put the Dokens one goal ahead on the half hour.
This seemed to sting the home side into action with Orru doing well down the left his cross being blocked by Rice for a corner. From the corner Henderson and Orru worked a nice short corner routine with the latter’s cross being won by Nimmo at the back post with his header being smothered by keeper Ferrie on the line.
In 38 minutes Orru was again prominent cutting in from the left and being brought down just outside the box. Harrison touched the free kick to the right to McConnell whose well struck shot took a deflection for a corner. Henderson took the corner Harrison rose well to win the header which was well defended by the defender covering the post.
With Broxburn now having their best spell in the game Gillen hit an amazing drive from 35 yards which cracked the cross bar and bounced to safety.
From another short corner in 43 minutes Orru played the ball inside to Henderson who struck a great shot from the left which Ferrie did well to fist away.
In first half injury time after 4 successive corners Broxburn finally got on the score sheet, Henderson’s deep corner was well retrieved by Nimmo with his head this set up Harrison for a shot which was blocked with MCCONNELL reacting quickly to the loose ball with his overhead kick eluding the visitors defence and into the right hand corner of the net.
HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 1 Dundee North End
Broxburn made 6 changes at half time Newall, Brass, Douglas, Churchill, Murray and Greenhill replacing Sayers, Nimmo, Clark, McConnell, Downie and Binnie.
Ballantyne replaced Jamieson for North End.
The home side started the second half with some purpose Newall beating 2 North End defenders down the right and forcing a corner. Orru’s corner was on the money Ferrie forced into punching clear.
In 53 minutes from another Orru corner HARRISON headed high into the top corner of the net to edge the hosts ahead.
Greenhill and Churchill were working well in midfield with the latter sending a nice through ball which was cut off by Wighton with Douglas ready to pounce.
In 61 minutes North End’s Devine hit a shot which deflected for a corner. He took the kick himself which found Law whose shot was blocked with strong claims for handball which the referee waved away.
A minute later and the Dokens went close again Rice sending in a good free kick from the left which Lunan met strongly with his head with the ball flying just over the bar.
Rice went off for North End to be replaced by Bell.
In 65 minutes after good work by Henderson whose pass found Brass who got to the bye line but his cross was blocked with Douglas well placed.
In 69 minutes Devine was replaced by Brown.
North End continued to look for an equaliser MacLeod finding Montgomery 30 yards out who unleashed a shot which Donoghue had to look lively to tip over the bar.
In 74 minutes a real let off for the Brox, Ballantyne being 1 on 1 with Donoghue but the home keeper did well again to save his chipped effort.
In 77 minutes Harrison played a neat ball down the left for Orru who drove into the penalty box and appeared to be brought down not once but twice but the referee showed no interest in the home appeals and played on.
Henderson could have sealed the game 2 minutes later creating a chance for himself but the ball sat up and his lob went over Ferrie but also the bar.
With 8 minutes remaining Greenhill sent Orru away down the left but this time his cross was too near Ferrie who smothered the ball well at his near post.
In 84 minutes Harrison picked up another knock which forced him to go off leaving Broxburn to complete the game with 10 men as all substitutes had been used.
North End made some changes in injury time, O. Lunan, McConnachie and Herd replacing MacLeod, Law and Wighton.
An excellent work out for Broxburn against a very spirited North End side who contributed hugely to an entertaining encounter. The Brox continue their season build up at Lowland League Tranent on Tuesday night.
FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 2 – 1 Dundee North End
vs 
Dundee North End
