Haddington Ath v Broxburn Athletic

Report

ATTENDANCE 170

East Of Scotland Premier League: Haddington Athletic v Broxburn Athletic – 1 November 2022

Broxburn headed away once again to newly promoted Haddington Athletic following Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Crossgates. There were 3 changes for the visitors G.Donaldson, Newall and Jeffries for Orru, Clark and Binnie.

Haddington have made a decent start in the Premier League coming into the game on the back of a 2-1 win against Oakley United at the weekend.

In the 4^th minute the first chance of the game fell to the Brox McConnell played a nice pass to G.Donaldson who advanced down the wing and crossed which Jeffries got to and his shot was blocked breaking to Brass who suffered the same fate then Newall got in a clear shot which went just wide of the left hand post.

Haddington knocked the ball about well in 6 minutes McGarry swinging in a cross from the right finding King on the left who smacked a great shot goalwards which Blair saved at his near post.

In a bright start to the game Broxburn went even closer in 7 minutes G.Donaldson again being given lots of room on the left he fired over another cross which Brass got to but his shot was just off target when well placed.

Jeffries than made an error in midfield Watson played the ball forward to ex Brox loan player Tait who fed McGarry on the right whose shot was blocked by G.Donaldson.

Haddington’s first clear sight of goal came in the following minute McGarry picking out Tait with a pass but the striker hurried his shot which went well over the bar.

From a freekick on the left in 18 minutes King played in a good ball McGarry won the ball in the air but can’t direct on target.

A nice move from the visitors in 21 minutes saw B.Donaldson send G.Donaldson down the left he slipped the ball back to McConnell who picked out an unmarked Greenhill who fired his shot well off target.

The Brox were having decent possession down both wings Newall this time on the right played in a good cross Brass won the header but he directed his effort straight to Cornet.

Good chasing down by Douglas on the half hour forced keeper Cornet into a mistake Jeffries collected the ball and was fouled 22 yards from goal. The same player took the free kick but the shot was well over the bar.

In 35 minutes G.Donaldson and Jeffries combined and fashioned a crossing opportunity with the ball into the box a good one which King hacked away for a corner. Greenhill took the corner to the back post where HARRISON headed down and into the net past Cornet.

McConnell was almost clean through in the following minute but the pass to him was overhit.

Then the Brox dodged 2 bullets in an incredible couple of minutes. Sayers misjudged a long ball and his attempted headed back pass only sent Watson clear Blair came out from his goal to meet him and dived, Watson went over him with Blair on the ground. The referee and lineman saw nothing amiss and allowed play to continue. The ball was scrambled clear but broke to Williams who hit an amazing curling shot which looked a goal all ends up but cracked off the inside of the left post and bounced out to safety.

From another Greenhill corner in 44 minutes G.Donaldson won a header at back post but his effort was straight at Cornet.

Right on half time another dangerous corner from Greenhill saw Harrison win another header but this time the captain couldn’t get his effort on target.

HALF TIME: Haddington Athletic 0-1 Broxburn Athletic

Sinclair replaced Jeffries at half time.

The substitute made an immediate impact but not in a good way as played a ball back which sent Tait away, great defending from B.Donaldson sent him wide and the danger was averted.

The home side had made a strong start to the 2^nd half King played a cross field pass to Auriemma who struck his shot well forcing Blair into a brilliant diving save.

The home side were having their best spell of the game having sustained possession in the visitors half who weren’t helping themselves by failing to clear their lines.

Tait went off to be replaced by Hill in 57 minutes.

Sinclair played a neat pass to Douglas but L.McGarry tackled him well.

Just passed the hour King slung over a great ball but the Brox stood firm and cleared.

In 66 minutes from a Greenhill corner B. Donaldson retrieved after a headed clearance and got the ball back out to Greenhill who was allowed to move toward goal on the right and he fired in a strong shot which Cornet was the equal of.

The home pressure continued Auriemma beat Sayers and cut back to edge of the box on the left and slid the ball to King who drilled his shot wide.

In 68 minutes Binnie replaced Douglas.

In 72 minutes the home side levelled Auriemma was allowed to run at the defence , he slipped the ball to HILL who turned and shot low into the left corner of the net.

Against the run of play in 75 minutes a defensive error by King and L.McGarry allowed BINNIE an opportunity which he took in some style chipping over the advancing Cornet and into the net.

In 78 minutes Auriemma cut in from the left and let fly with a great shot which Blair saved and parried and recovered well before Hill could get to the ball.

Binnie went close again for Broxburn in 79 minutes hitting a great curling shot which just cleared the bar hitting the back stanchion.

In 81 minutes D. Tait replaced Watson. The Brox made a change in 84 minutes the injured G.Donaldson having to go off with Downie the replacement.

Injury time saw Haddington lay siege to the Brox goal Hill and McGarry combining but the former’s shot was blazed well over the bar.

In the next attack Hill was adjudged to have been brought down in the box by Sayers with a penalty awarded. Hill took the penalty but Blair dived to his left and brilliantly saved the rebound falling to substitute D.Tait but once again the young keeper saved the day.

In the melee Brass had been red carded presumably for foul and abusive language.

5 minutes into added time the home side forced the ball into the net but Blair was adjudged to have been fouled and the Brox survived!

FULL TIME: Haddington Athletic 1-2 Broxburn Athletic

 REFEREE MR . B. FALCONER ASSISTANTS MR. D. DICKSON , MR R. KAY