BROXBURN ATHLETIC V ST ANDREWS UNITED

Report

Pre-Season Friendly : Broxburn Athletic v St. Andrews United 13 July 2024

Broxburn went into their fourth pre-season friendly in preparation for the Lowland League campaign looking for their first win.

St. Andrews United provided the opposition having had a successful 2023/24 season gaining promotion to the East Of Scotland Premier League. In their first pre-season game last Saturday they came out on top by 3-2 over Midland League runners up Broughty Athletic.

Broxburn started on the front foot Turner feeding Russell on the right whose cross was blocked for a corner. The corner was taken short to Jones whose cross was ineffectively punched out by St Andrews keeper Halliday. The keeper made a better clearance at second attempt.

The Brox were knocking the ball about well this time on the left with Rodden’s tempting cross eluding Douglas and Downie.

In the 8^th minute Thomson and Russell combined well on the right with the latter’s cross blocked for a corner. Jones corner was hit deep with Roche doing well at the back post to head clear.

The visitors first proper foray forward in 11 minutes saw Morrice get a shot off at the edge of the box which Pettigrew saved easily to his left.

In 14 minutes St. Andrews put together a decent attack Payne got clear of Rodden and sent over a great ball which Moyles did well to defend clearing his own bar. Pettigrew claimed the cross from the corner confidently.

In an entertaining start to the game Rodden made ground down the left and the cut the ball back to Russell at the edge of the box but he didn’t get enough on his shot to trouble Halliday.

Pettigrew then gave the ball away from a poor kick out but Moyles retrieved the situation for his keeper.

St Andrews were then guilty of a mistake by Sneddon who gave the ball away in his own box, Douglas laid the ball off to Russell who curled an effort well wide of goal.

In 21 minutes Jones was afforded time and space on right hand side of box but took an extra touch which allowed keeper Halliday to palm away his shot.

A great crossfield ball from Turner on the right was brilliantly controlled by Rodden on the left but the full back completely mis-judged his cross which didn’t get past the first defender.

Then a let off for the home side in 34 minutes, Payne got in the clear on the right but took a heavy touch which allowed Pettigrew to come out and claim the ball off him.

The Saints continued to threaten Milne playing in a great ball from the right which found Mahaday at the penalty spot but he delayed getting off a shot and the chance was gone.

With half time beckoning Russell clipped the ball down the touchline to Turner who laid the ball back to Russell who swung in a fine cross which DOUGLAS met full on with his head. Halliday saved brilliantly but Douglas forced the ball into the net to give the Brox a merited lead. Time 44 minutes.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 0 St.Andrews United

St Andrews substituted Andrew and Collins on for Mahady and Cunningham.

In 49 minutes Russell took a free kick on the right to Turner who set up Rodden who struck the ball well but straight at Halliday.

Four minutes later Jones played a great ball to Douglas on the right, Roche did well to block out the cross for a corner. From the corner the ball broke to Bell who crossed deep from the right to the back post where G.Page screwed his header wide of target.

In 58 minutes Boundy came on for St. Andrews replacing Hall. Two minutes later Redpath came on for Morrice.

A fine ball from Rodden put Douglas away down the left his cross in was brilliantly defended by Roche to prevent a certain goal for Downie.

Jones corner broke to Thomson but his shot was well off target.

The Brox made changes on 64 minutes Heath and a trialist came on for Moyles and Bell.

Milne went on a great run for St Andrews getting to the edge of the penalty box before Moyles tackled well to dispossess him.

In 71 minutes from a throw in on the left by Payne, Boundy shot tamely wide of goal.

The Brox got the key second goal in 76 minutes Douglas breaking down the left with his cross pinpointed for DOWNIE to head into the net.

Turner came off injured in 81 minutes leaving Broxburn to play out the game with 10 men.

The trialist centre half did very well to dispossess Andrew when danger threatened.

The visitors were using their man advantage to good effect Boundy playing in a cross from the left which was brilliantly anticipated by Rodden to intercept when Andrew seemed certain to score.

St. Andrews did get on the score sheet in 86 minutes great persistence from Collins saw him get the better of Rodden his cross picked out ANDREW perfectly who guided his shot into the left corner of the net.

A good run out for Broxburn against a decent St.Andrews side who should acquit themselves well in the East Of Scotland Premier League.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 2 – 1 St.Andrews United