BROXBURN ATHLETIC V HADDINGTON ATHLETIC

Report

Attendance 230

East Of Scotland Premier League: Broxburn Athletic v Haddington Athletic 6 May 2023

Broxburn made 5 changes from the side which drew at Penicuik last week for the final home league game of the club’s 75^th anniversary season against Haddington Athletic. Downie, Fugaccia-Hickey, Williamson, Henderson and Sayers for Gillen, Brass, Douglas, Gray and Heath.

Haddington who have had an excellent season following last season’s promotion came into the game off the back of a home loss to champions Linlithgow Rose last week by 2-1.

The visitors came out of the traps quickly Williams sending a long ball through for G.McGarry but the pass was just overhit with Blair collecting at the edge of his area.

In the 4^th minute in a neat Brox passing move Bremner fed Sayers on the right but his cross into the box was just too long.

Both sides were knocking the ball about well without creating any clear chances.

G.McGarry was once again prominent in the 13^th minute gathering the ball around 22 yards out and creating a shooting opportunity but his effort was well off target.

In the 15^th minute Broxburn had a shout for a penalty when Fugaccia-Hickey got into the penalty box on the right side bye line appeared to be clipped by Walker but the referee waved play on. The Brox player wasn’t to be denied and got into a great position having beaten Walker but his cross was too near Cornet who claimed confidently.

Neat play down the left between Orru and McConnell saw the latter’s cross deflected just wide of the post by Aitchinson.

Haddington got the ball into the net from a corner in the 22^nd minute but Blair had been clearly fouled.

In the 25^th a real clear cut opportunity for the home side to take the lead, Bremner went on a strong run, fed Henderson on the left, the winger got off a shot but Cornet was the equal to it and saved.

Then disaster struck in 29 minutes Sayers passed to Nimmo who miscontrolled the ball, G.MCGARRY quickly pounced on the error advanced and slotted the ball past Blair.

The Brox tried to hit back quickly Fugaccia-Hickey again going on a run down the right beating Walker but his cross was just too high for Henderson.

Ex Brox loan player Tait then went on a run down the right cut inside and unleashed a shot which Blair saved at full length but could only palm the ball out where THOMAS was left with simplest tasks of tapping the ball into the net. Time 36 minutes.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 0 – 2 Haddington Athletic

Haddington made 2 changes at half time Szemis and Russell replacing Walker and Thomas.

The visitors started the better in the 2^nd half Sayers having to look lively and provide a crucial interception to stop G.McGarry getting in a shot.

In the 51st minute Fugaccia-Hickey went down in the penalty box under challenge but once again the referee wasn’t impressed and booked the winger for simulation. Donoghue was also booked from the bench for dissent.

In 52 minutes 2 Brox changes Brass and Heath replaced Williamson and Orru.

Tait did well again down the right getting in a great cross which Nimmo had to volley out for a corner. Nothing came from the corner.

Fugaccia-Hickey brought down Tait just outside the box on the right side G.McGarry took the free kick and curled his effort off the right post, PEFFERS was first to react and fired a low shot into the bottom right corner of the net. Time 57 minutes.

Things got worse 8 minutes later the visitors playing the ball round nicely and Tait once again got away down the right fired over a great cross right on the money with PEFFERS on hand again at the back post to provide the finish.

The Brox got a consolation goal in 68 minutes Sayers long throw was well controlled by BRASS and he turned and smacked a low shot drilled into the bottom left corner of the net past the dive of Cornet.

In 71 minutes Gray was introduced for Fugaccia-Hickey.

A mistake from Donaldson in the 75^th minute saw G. McGarry gain an opportunity, he tried to square the ball to Peffers but Sayers brilliantly intercepted to prevent the teenager getting a chance at a hat trick.

Brass got in a shot for the Brox in 81 minutes which Cornet saved easily.

In 85 minutes Haston replaced Peffers.

In 89 minutes Gray went close for Broxburn trying a speculative shot from 25 yards which just went past  the right hand post.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 4 Haddington Athletic

REFEREE MR. T. KERR  , ASSISTANTS  MR. C.DOYLE , MR. S. DIVERS