Lothian thistlehutchievale v Broxburn Ath

Report

Attendance  180

Match Report 

East of Scotland Premier League – Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Broxburn Athletic – 08/01/2022

Broxburn made the short trip into Edinburgh to Ainslie Park for their first game of 2022 to face Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale who had not played a league game since 18 December when they had triumphed over Dundonald Bluebell.

Broxburn made 4 changes to the side who lost to Linlithgow Rose prior to the year end with Donoghue replacing Wallace in goal. Ross Nimmo for, Mair, Greenhill for Nicol and Brass for Allum.

The Brox started on the front foot in the 2nd minute Brass sending Binnie away down the left whose cross was on the money but there were no takers to get on the end of it.

Greenhill then played a glorious ball to Gray who tried to send Brass away in the clear but good defending from keeper Adams and Lally prevented a clear chance.

The home side showed they weren’t just there to make up the numbers Cunningham playing the ball to Findlay who struck a wind assisted looping shot which just cleared the bar.

In the 6th minute a Gillen error was capitalised on by Findlay who laid the ball off to the right to Viola but he curled his effort over the bar.

In 10 minutes Broxburn worked the ball forward well Brass laying the ball back to Gray at the edge of the box whose shot was blocked, the ball broke to Greenhill who struck his shot well but was deflected for a corner. 

The Lothian Thistle trialist was booked.

The corner was worked short between Ross Nimmo and Gray but the cross eluded all those in red.

Deland was a source of danger down the left and he put over a great cross which was well taken by Donoghue with Douglas waiting to pounce.

The home side were having a good spell and in 16 minutes Renton shot from 20 yards forced Donoghue into a good save to his right.

Broxburn responded with a good move of their own in 22 minutes a Newall cross was flicked on by Brass to Ross Nimmo on the left hand side of the penalty box but he curled his shot wide. 

In 24 minutes from a Gray corner Murray won the header at the back post which he directed back across goal but once again no one in a Brox shirt could take advantage.

A minute later and Donoghue was called into action again to save a Viola shot.

The deadlock was broken in 26 minutes Binnie being brought down on the edge of the box, GRAY took the resulting free kick which he curled expertly into the top right hand corner for his first Broxburn goal in only his second start following signing on loan from Gala.

Lally was booked for the home side on the half hour.

In 33 minutes Gillen went down heavily and needed treatment following a Cunningham challenge.

In 37 minutes with Broxburn failing to clear their lines, the ever dangerous Deland made ground down the left past Newall and fired in a cross which found DOUGLAS unmarked 6 yards out which he tapped into the visitors net.  

In 42 minutes Gillen was unable to continue Nicol replacing him.

Lothian Thistle almost had a half time lead when Renton chipped the ball over the defence with Cunningham running in behind them he was inches away from connecting.

Half Time: Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 1 – 1 Broxburn Athletic

The home side started the 2nd half better Renton putting over a great cross which no one got a touch to.

In 49 minutes Broxburn had a glorious chance and should have taken the lead once more when Gray again at the centre of the move, played the ball to Nicol whose pass found Ross Nimmo clear on the right one on one, he struck the shot well which was saved by Adams.

In an end to end game Renton forced Donoghue into a fine diving save to his left to prevent the home side grabbing a lead. 

Gray was next to have an effort at goal being set up nicely by Newall after a great run but Adams saved high to his right.

In 58 minutes Tait replaced Ross Nimmo.

In 59 minutes the home goal had a bit of an escape with a Brass effort deflected wide for a corner. From the corner Greenhill cracked the ball towards goal but hits Binnie when it looked to be on target but the defence scrambled the ball clear.

Broxburn continued to press Nicol doing well finding Gray with a pass but once again just curled wide of target.

Next it was Newall in 62 minutes going on a great run playing a 1-2 with Tait but his shot missing the right post by inches. Tait fired into the side netting after good work down the left in the following minute.

In 70 minutes Gray was booked for a tackle on Findlay.

In 71 minutes a Cunningham cross was headed behind by Dan Nimmo with Donoghue punching clear from the corner.

In 73 minutes more good build up play from the Brox, Brass and Binnie setting up Gray but this time his shot was well off target.

Lothian Thistle replaced Doherty and Findlay with Kemp and Signorini.

In 78 minutes nearly a freak goal for Broxburn Gray well inside his own half with what looked like way over hitting a clearance with the wind assisting it bounced and had Adams in the home goal struggling to keep it out of the net!

In 80 minutes Deland combined with Signorini which produced a fine shot which Donoghue pushed round the post for a corner. From the Cunningham corner Donoghue was very unconvincing with his attempted punched clearance but the ball was scrambled away.

However, disaster struck in 82 minutes from a long ball forward which was allowed to bounce Newall tried to head back to the onrushing Donoghue, substitute KEMP nipped in and poked the ball into the visitors net.

Greenhill was then booked for pulling back Renton.

In 86 minutes things got even worse for the Brox, the ball bounced up off the surface and hit Gray on the hand, in frustration the ball was kicked away and hit Cunningham. The referee then produced a second yellow card followed by a red!

Brass was booked in the aftermath.

In 91 minutes Kemp set up his fellow substitute Signorini who shot straight at Donoghue when he should have scored.

In 93 minutes Broxburn’s last chance Greenhill’s cross was well taken by Adams with Binnie in the mix for any keeper error.

The chances were there for Broxburn to win today’s game but these weren’t taken and the loss of a poor goal proved fatal. Next week it’s the team who they last beat, Camelon, who visit the Albyn in what is a vital game and a chance to end this run of results.

Full Time: Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 2 – 1 Broxburn Athletic

LOTHIAN THISTLE HUTCHIESON VALE   ADAMS , MOORE , DELAND ,LALLY , GUINEY , DOUGLAS , CUNNINGHAM , VIOLA , RENTON , DOHERTY  (KEMP 75m), FINDLAY (SIGNORINI 75m), SUBS CRAWFORD , McGARRY , PENKER , MBEWE , WALTON

REFEREE MR A. GRIEVE  . ASSISTANTS  MR P.HANLON ,MR E.POW