Dunipace v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Attendance   270 (approx)

Scottish Cup 1st Round: Dunipace v Broxburn Athletic – 17 September 2022

Broxburn travelled to First Division opponents Dunipace in the 1^st round of the Scottish Cup. Broxburn made 4 changes to their starting side from the 4-2 win against Sauchie, Greehhill, Gillen, Henderson and Brass replacing Jeffries, Clark, Churchill and Douglas.

Dunipace kept an unchanged side having also won 4-2 in their last league outing against Kirkcaldy & Dysart.

With a cool breeze behind them Broxburn kicked off. In the 3^rd minute from an Orru throw, Brass played a nice pass to Gillen around 25 yards out who elected to pass when a shot may have been a better option.

The home side signalled their intentions a minute later Colley got in behind Orru and made a strong run and his cross found McGuckin at the back post whose shot was well taken by Blair at his right post.

Dunipace continued to look dangerous and in the 7^th minute after a mistake from D.Nimmo, Fleming made ground down the left but his cutback was well defended for a corner.

Broxburn were knocking the ball around nicely Brass and R.Nimmo combining well for the latter to cross low which Kane did well to take with Binnie on the premises waiting to capitalise on any mistake.

In the 14^th minute the deadlock was broken Herron broke clear on the right and played a brilliant cross into the box where MCGUCKIN was arriving, and his bullet header went flying into the Brox net.

This stung Broxburn into action Brass sending Newall away down the right whose cross found Binnie but the strikers shot was high and wide.

The home side could have doubled their lead on 24 minutes poor defending from a throw in allowed D.Grant to put over a great cutback which fell to McGuckin at the edge of the box but he hit his shot well over the bar.

Broxburn went down the field and went even closer Binnie cracking a great drive off the right-hand post.

In a great passing move a minute later Broxburn pulled level R.Nimmo finding BRASS in the box who controlled and fired a shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The Brox had grown into the game now and from an exquisite Greenhill crossfield pass R.Nimmo slung in a cross which home keeper Kane did very well to take under strong pressure from Brass.

Donaldson needed attention in 33 minutes after a clash with Grant.

In 37 minutes Binnie was brought down by McCroary just outside the box, Henderson took the free kick which was on target which Kane stopped but dropped the ball which was scrambled clear by the home defence.

In first half injury time D.Grant was booked for a poor challenge on Blair.

HALF TIME: Dunipace 1 – 1 Broxburn Athletic

In 48 minutes Binnie tried a through ball which looked on the money only for it to hit Henderson on the back.

The home side continued to look dangerous down the flanks McGuckin getting the better of D.Nimmo and the Brox defence scrambling the ball to safety from his cross.

Dunipace were playing a high defensive line Binnie making a good run and pass to find Henderson who cut back inside but didn’t get enough on his shot to trouble Kane.

R.Nimmo was booked in 52 minutes and then subbed for Churchill.

Broxburn were causing the home side problems down both flanks but Henderson couldn’t provide a telling cross.

In 64 minutes Nash replaced Wright for Dunipace.

A minute later Greenhill, who was having a great game for Broxburn, slid a ball through for Binnie who was challenged heavily by keeper Kane just outside the box. Binnie couldn’t continue and was replaced by Douglas with Sayers coming on for Henderson.

In 72 minutes Broxburn continued to press down the right side Brass, Churchill and Newall creating space with the latter’s cross hard and low hacked away for a corner which nothing came of.

Churchill and Newall worked another neat move down the right with the cross causing problems for the home defence but neither Brass or Douglas could get enough purchase on their efforts.

The pressure continued to build on the home defence but they were standing firm with A.Grant and Ashe outstanding.

The route to goal was certainly down the right with Churchill and Newall prominent, with another ball into the box which just wouldn’t fall for Douglas and then cleared.

In a rare home attack McGuckin played in a fine ball which Gillen kept an eye on and conceded a corner. McGuckin took the kick to the back post where Ashe’s header was cleared off the line by Greenhill.

In injury time Dunipace had a chance to win the tie but McGuckin fired his effort well wide.

FULL TIME: Dunipace 1 – 1 Broxburn Athletic

Into extra time, McNeil replaced Herron for the home side and McConnell for Newall for the Brox.

In 92 minutes Broxburn have a great chance to take the lead Churchill sending Douglas away but his lob was too high and cleared the bar.

Douglas and Brass combined 3 minutes later but Brass’s shot was too high and over the bar.

In 103 minutes Stevenson came on for McGuckin. McConnell was booked for Broxburn.

HALF TIME EXTRA TIME: Dunipace 1 – 1 Broxburn Athletic

In 106 minutes Dunipace made good ground down the left D.Grant’s chip into the box was eventually scrambled clear.

With time running out an Orru cross from the left was won by Douglas but his header just drifted wide of target.

With the home side now defending very deep Broxburn continued to throw everything at them Orru again providing a great cross which keeper Kane did well to take under pressure from Brass.

With Broxburn virtually camped around the Dunipace penalty box Donaldson had a shot saved by Kane which was scambled away clear.

The last chance in 120 minutes saw a Douglas effort charged down by a desperate home defence which broke to Churchill but the ball sat up and he fired over the top of the bar.

Donoghue replaced Blair before the referee ended the game.

FULL TIME EXTRA TIME: Dunipace 1 – 1 Broxburn Athletic

To penalty kicks, Stevenson converted for Dunipace but Douglas hit the bar with his kick. Donoghue saved Fleming’s kick with his foot and McConnell scored to tie things up. Ashe, D.Grant and Orru all scored but Churchill was high and wide with his penalty. This left McCroary to seal the tie for Dunipace which he duly did sending his penalty into the left corner of the net.

In an entertaining cup tie Broxburn just couldn’t find the key to unlock a resolute home defence. Its back to league business next week with a derby at Linlithgow Rose.

FULL TIME AFTER PENALTIES: Dunipace 1 – 1 Broxburn Athletic (4-2 penalties)

 REFEREE MR L. ROBERTSON   ASSISTANTS MR J. REEKIE, MR S. ROBERTSON