LothianthistleHV v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Attendance 85

East Of Scotland Premier League: Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Broxburn Athletic – 5 November 2022

Broxburn were on their travels once again this time into Edinburgh to Ainslie Park to face Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale.

Broxburn made 3 changes from the side which had won at Haddington in midweek Binnie, Gillen and Henderson replacing Brass, Sayers and Jeffries.

Lothian Thistle hadn’t had a great start to their league campaign but had an encouraging performance in midweek getting a home draw against Dundonald Bluebell.

The home side started with intent and in the 2^nd minute after a foul by Orru after mis-controlling the ball Taylor-MacKenzie took the free kick which deflected for a corner. The corner was taken short with Taylor-MacKenzie cutting into the penalty box on the right and getting in a strong effort on goal which Blair had to look lively to tip over.

Lothian Thistle forced a succession of corners with Wringe and Taylor-MacKenzie forcing blocks or saves from keeper Blair. The run of corners was brought to an end in the 5^th minute when Douglas cleared.

Broxburn had their first decent move in 7 minutes Gillen played the ball in from the right, Binnie flicked the ball on but it was just too far in front of Douglas.

There was a high tempo to the Lothian Thistle play Moore slipping a nice pass to Scott who hit a fine shot for goal but was straight at Blair.

In the 12^th minute a penalty was awarded to the home side after McConnell was adjudged to have handled, Taylor-MacKenzie took the kick but Blair produced an outstanding save diving to his left to parry the ball B.VIOLA was quickest to react and he cracked an unstoppable shot high into the net from a tight angle on the right.

Broxburn’s uncertain start continued giving the ball away in defence Moore capitalised striking a good shot which again Blair was the equal of.

In 15 minutes a rare error in the Lothian Thistle defence saw Douglas flick the ball on for Binnie who volleyed just over.

In 19 minutes Lothian Thistle were forced to change their keeper Swain being replaced by Renton.

Scott was booked for a foul on Binnie in 25 minutes.

In a better Broxburn passing move Douglas found Greenhill who played a defence splitting pass to Henderson but he couldn’t control properly and the chance was gone.

Taylor-MacKenzie played a long ball forward to Wringe who strode forward and cracked a shot just wide of the left post.

Then against the run of play in 42 minutes Henderson played a ball into Gillen in the penalty box where he was brought down. HENDERSON took the penalty and sent keeper Renton the wrong way to bring the Brox level.

In the 45^th minute Signorini was allowed to run forward unchallenged and hit a cracking shot which had Blair diving full length but it hit the left hand post.

In 1^st half injury time Taylor-MacKenzie took a free kick after a Greenhill foul Signorini won a header which he couldn’t divert on to the target.

HALF TIME: Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 1-1 Broxburn Athletic

Straight from kick off in the 2^nd half the ball was launched forward with Signorini nipping inbetween Orru and B.Donaldson but Blair was alert to the danger and prevented any issue at the edge of the penalty box.

J.Viola went on a good run down the left in 48 minutes which Newall tracked and blocked his cross for a corner. B.Viola took the corner which Blair dropped but Harrison was on hand to clear the ball.

The home side continued their positive start in the second half Signorini beating 2 defenders and his cross was well met by Harrison to head clear.

In 52 minutes J.Viola again was causing problems on the left Binnie tracking back well to block for a corner. B.Donaldson headed the corner ball clear.

From another short corner routine Broxburn completely switched off Taylor-MacKenzie playing to B.Viola who clipped the ball back to the edge of the box where centre half MILLER volleyed the ball into the top right hand corner of the net.

With Lothian Thistle in control the Brox looked to freshen things up in 64 minutes McConnell and Gillen coming off to be replaced by Clark and Downie.

Three minutes later the Broxburn defence got themselves in trouble trying to play the ball out but Moore couldn’t take advantage firing his shot well over the bar.

A long ball forward caught out the home defence with Henderson in a chase with keeper Renton to get to the ball first which the keeper won at the edge of the penalty box.

The Brox then had a mountain to climb in 72 minutes Scott doing fantastically well to get in a great cross right on the money for WRINGE to get inbetween the defenders to head down and into the net to make it 3-1.

Harrison was then replaced by Sayers.

In 74 minutes Greenhill was booked for a foul on Taylor-MacKenzie.

Broxburn then registered their first shot on target in the 2^nd half in 75 minutes Greenhill striking well from 25 yards forcing Renton into a save.

The home side continued to look dangerous Wringe getting in a shot which Blair saved.

From a corner in 78 minutes B.Viola took the kick to the near post where Wringe got in a header but his effort cleared the bar.

In 81 minutes B.Donaldson was booked.

B.Viola took a free kick out on the left which he tried to sneak in at the near post but his effort hit the post!

In 83 minutes Newall made ground down the right and passed infield to Henderson the ball sat up for the winger whose shot went wide of the left post.

Orru was then set up by Binnie 2 minutes later but he volleyed over the bar.

Turnbull replaced the injured Binnie in injury time. Substitute keeper Renton was also booked in the game.

FULL TIME: Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 3-1 Broxburn Athletic

 REFEREE MR. K.HALL    ASSISTANTS MR.S. DIVERS,MR.S.ROBERTSON