Dunbar Utd v Broxburn Athletic

Report

East of Scotland Premier League – Dunbar United v Broxburn Athletic – 24/11/2020

After three straight defeats it was important for The Brox to get back on track which they duly did at a wind and rain swept New Countess Park in Dunbar. There were 4 changes from Saturday’s Irvine Meadow game, Wright for Grant, Greenhill for Beesley, Redmond for Donaldson, Brass for Ireland. Dunbar after their impressive 5-0 win against 2nd placed Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, also made 4 changes Szemis for Peden, Cropley for Black, Robertson for Neave, McGovern for Harley.

Broxburn started the game on the front foot creating a chance in the opening few seconds, a good run from Ross saw him get in a shot from the left into the side netting.

Dunbar also had a couple of early opportunities, in the 3rd minute no effort was made to stop Duncan getting a cross in which Jones got on the end of but couldn’t get his shot on target. That was quickly followed by Greenhill being dispossesed in midfield leaving Duncan clean in with only Wallace to beat but the Broxburn keeper did well to smother the shot.

Broxburn responded with a great run from Wright and his cross forced Laing into a save.

Dunbar wwere presented with a glorious chance in 8 minutes Cowley inexplicably passing the ball back to McGovern leaving him with only Wallace to beat but his shot hit the post and from the rebound he blazed wastefully over the bar.

The game continued to flow from end to end in the difficult conditions Cowley playing a nice ball to Ross down the left but the cross didn’t match the good lead up play.

Wallace was again forced into a save after Harrison was short with a pass back McGovern’s shot was blocked for a corner.

In the 21st minute a good move between Brass and Cowley saw a good cross into the box which Binnie won but his header went over the bar.

Dunbar had another good opportunity in 27 minutes when another cross was allowed to come in unchallenged amd with Wallace beaten Duncan just couldn’t connect for the home side.

In 29 minutes after good play from Ross and Greenhill, Gillen delivered a great long ball into the box which Binnie got to but just couldn’t get enough on his header to beat Laing who managed to scramble the ball round the post for a corner.

From the corner the ball was picked up by Nicol who hit a shot from fully 30 yards which Laing did well to save but he could only parry the ball out to Binnie who couldn’t direct his follow up on goal but found WRIGHT at the back post who drilled the ball into the net from a tight angle for his first Broxburn goal.

The lead was short lived however from a long ball forward Wright misjudged his attempt to clear the ball bouncing through to ROBERTSON who slotted the ball past Wallace for the equaliser.

Broxburn were once again troubled by a long through ball in 39 minutes Robertson getting to the ball before Wright but his finish was poor his shot going high over the bar.

That was a chance the home side were made to rue for not taking as a minute later Gillen played a great diagonal ball into the box which BINNIE latched on to and volleyed the ball past Laing into the net.

Broxburn had their tails up and in injury time struck again after great work from Redmond down the left he slipped the ball to Brass who laid the ball into the path of BINNIE who smacked an unstoppable shot past Laing into the net.

Half Time: Dunbar United 1– 3 Broxburn Athletic

The home side kicked off in the second half with the wind now not as strong and torrential rain at their backs.

Broxburn looked much more solid defensively with Wright, Harrison and Wallace dealing well with crosses coming into the box.

Dunbar made a change in 54 minutes McTernan replacing Cropley.

In 58 minutes a long ball from Wallace looked to set Binnie away but his progress was halted by the assistant referee flagging for offside.

Gillen played a great ball into the Dunbar box in 59 minutes but there were no red shirts available to get on the end of his cut back.

Dunbar had the ball in the net in 61 minutes McTernan’s cross met by McGovern who was clearly offside when providing the finishing touch.

Harrison played a great long ball in 62 minutes trying to find Ross but in the wet conditions the ball slid through to keeper Laing.

In 66 minutes the Brox were on the mark again, from a Redmond throw in, Binnie sent a cross into the box which held up in the wind which Brass challenged for, Cowley put pressure on the Dunbar defender with the ball breaking back to ROSS and he lashed the ball past Laing to put Broxburn 4-1 up.

It was almost 5 a minute later a Harrison free kick dropped by keeper Laing but he managed to get a palm on the ball to send the ball past the left hand post as it looked to be squirming into the net.

Cowley then had a shot charged down in the penalty area but claims for a penalty were not given.

Dunbar then made a further change Thomson for McGovern in 70 minutes.

Redmond was booked for an alleged handball in 73 minutes.

Dunbar broke at pace in 78 minutes but the attack was brilliantly stopped by a Wright tackle. Ireland then replaced Binnie for Broxburn.

A further change was made in 82 minutes Turnbull for Cowley. Dunbar introduced Shearer for Robertson in 86 minutes.

Dunbar hadn’t really threatened in the 2nd half but substitute Shearer got a header on target but it was straight at Wallace.

Redmond picked up a knock and was replaced by Richards in 88 minutes.

A convincing win for Broxburn after a few scary defensive moments in the first half, their finishing was clinical and merited picking up the 3 points and looked much nmore solid defensively in the second half. Both teams deserve credit for serving up an entertaining encounter in very difficult conditions.

Full Time: Dunbar United 1 – 4 Broxburn Athletic

Teams:

Dunbar United: Laing; Tait, McFarlane, Szemis, Ingram, Cropley, Robertson, Handling (c), Jones, Duncan, McGovern

Subs: Johnstone (unused), Thomson, McTernan, Shearer, Brady (unused), Black (unused)

Broxburn Athletic: Wallace; Gillen, Redmond, Harrison (c), Wright, Cowley, Nicol, Greenhill; Brass, Binnie, Ross

Subs: Donoghue (Unused), Beesley (unused), Richards, Turnbull , Ireland, Townsley (unused)