BROXBURN ATHLETIC V GARTCAIRN FC

Report

Attendance 140

Pre – Season Friendly: Broxburn Athletic v Gartcairn 15 July 2023

Broxburn welcomed West Premier League newcomers Gartcairn to the Albyn for the fourth pre-season friendly, on another warm sunny day. Broxburn made 7 changes from the starting line up used in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Gala Fairydean Rovers. Watt replaced Donoghue in goal, Page, D.Nimmo, Douglas, Brass, Trialist No. 7 and Locke replaced Campbell, Downie, Heath, Gillen, Trialist 21 and Turner.

Gartcairn had a great 2022/23 season being promoted into the West Premier league as champions. They kicked off their pre-season friendlies last weekend beating Thornton Hibs 6-0.

The visitors almost got off to the perfect start in the 2nd minute Aitken sliding a great ball through to Burns who lobbed Watt but his effort cleared the bar. Although the referee’s assistant did flag the centre forward offside.

Broxburn went straight down the other end with Locke playing the ball into the penalty box to try and find Brass but Dunlop anticipated well and cleared.

In 8 minutes Locke played a brilliant pass inside Boyle for Munro to run on to and he drilled in a cross which McGlauchlan defended well at the near post.

A minute later and a mis-placed pass from Crerand allowed Bremner to advance his pass to Brass was just overhit and the chance was gone.

Aitken slid a great ball through to Burns but Page brilliantly got to the ball ahead of the striker and guided the ball back to Watt.

The same combination for Gartcairn did well again Burns thwarted by an ever alert Watt in the home goal who got to the ball first at the edge of the penalty area.

In 17 minutes Douglas sent Munro off on a run down the right, his cross being blocked by Boyle at the expense of a corner. Davidson took the corner D.Nimmo got his his head to it but couldn’t direct on target being pressured well by McGlauchlan.

Gartcairn then had a real let off goalkeeper Pirie dwelt on the ball and was caught by Brass who tried to shoot but the keeper did well to recover and save.

Another good home move saw Brass head flicking the ball on to Douglas who got into the box and hit a shot with his left foot which just cleared the bar.

In the 24th minute Boyle’s cross from the left found Bain who controlled well but his shot was blocked almost breaking for Burns but Watt claimed the ball before the striker.

Two minutes later Bremner threaded a pass out to Douglas on the right he got to the bye line cutting back for Brass who held the ball up and fed Munro who cracked a shot for goal which was blocked for a corner.

Davidson took the kick which found the head of DOUGLAS who powerfully headed the ball into the net. Time 27 minutes.

Gartcairn had another let off in 29 minutes from a long ball forward Pirie and Boyle seemed to leave to each other to deal with Brass got inbetween them and got a foot to the ball but his effort went over the bar.

MUNRO then showed great awareness dispossessing Mitchell in midfield and taking a few strides forward before drilling the ball low which Pirie got a hand to but couldn’t prevent the ball going into the bottom right corner of the net to put the Brox 2 up. Time 32 minutes.

Things got even better when Bremner once again fed the ever willing Munro on the right his cross blocked for a corner by McGlauchlan. Davidson took the kick again from the right Mitchell cleared to the edge of the area, D.Nimmo chipped the ball back into the penalty area finding BRASS where he steadied himself before firing the ball into the right hand corner of the net. Time 34 minutes.

In a free flowing Broxburn passing move Munro hit a tremendous cross deep to the back post which found Millar arriving at full tilt his fierce header brilliantly saved by Pirie and scrambled clear.

In 43 minutes a clear opportunity for Gartcairn to pull a goal back Boyle’s cross saw Page slip leaving Burns with a free header but he could only direct his effort straight at Watt.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 3 – 0 Gartcairn
Changes at half time for Broxburn were T15 for Munro and Campbell for Millar. Gartcairn replaced Bain with Stevenson.
In 50 minutes Campbell made good ground down the left his cross well defended by Stevenson.
A long ball forward by Crerand trying to seek out Burns but Watt was aware of the possible danger and got to the ball first at the edge of his penalty area.
In 56 minutes from a short taken free kick Davidson played to T7 on the left whose cross was blocked for a corner. Davidson’s delivery was pinpoint once again with D.Nimmo chesting the ball goalwards which McGlauchlan did well to clear off the line.
Bremner took a free kick 3 minutes later which curled round the wall but was collected by keeper Pirie.
Campbell was penalised for a foul on the hour which Aitken took, Stevenson got his head to the ball but couldn’t direct on target.
More Broxburn changes followed Brass, Locke and Trialist No.7 were replaced by Downie, Heath and Gray.
Downie spurned a great chance set up by Douglas, with his first touch having a clear sight of goal he shot wide left from 12 yards.
In 65 minutes Crerand went off for Gartcairn Lermouth coming on as replacement.
Another great Broxburn passing move saw Campbell get in a cross which McGlauchlan did well to get to and prevent Douglas from adding another goal.
Gray was fouled by Mitchell in 68 minutes 22 yards out in a central position. He took the kick himself which deflected off the wall and through to Pirie.
In 75 minutes the Brox unlocked the Gartcairn defence again Campbell’s cross was met by McGlauchlan whose clearance went up in the air, Pirie came out to try and claim but only succeeded in knocking the ball to BREMNER who volleyed the ball into the net from close range.
Gartcairn responded Burns cracking a great shot from 30 yards just over the bar.
From a Heath error in 81 minutes Burns tried his luck again but his effort was straight at Watt.
In 89 minutes Burns went on a run down the left beating D.Nimmo but his effort was blocked by Trialist No. 15 for a corner. Aitken took the kick but Downie cleared.
FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 4– 0 Gartcairn

Referee  Mr  R. Struthers   Assistants  Mr. S. McArthur, Mr. S. Robertson