LothianthistleHV v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Match Report

East of Scotland Premier League – Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Broxburn Athletic – 02/12/2020

In monsoon like conditions both sides served up a 6 goal thriller at Saughton Enclosure with Broxburn seemingly having the game won with ten minutes remaining only to be pulled back right at the death. Broxburn showed 2 changes from the loss at Sauchie Beesley and Ireland replacing Ross and Cowley.

Lothian Thistle kicked off facing into a strong breeze which was soon to be added to by heavy rain.

Broxburn were first to threaten in the 2nd minute Brass and Binnie combining with the latter getting in a shot on target but straight to keeper Henderson.

In the 5th minute Deland got over a good cross for Lothian Thistle which was cleared by the visitors to Laver who fired high over the bar.

From a long clearance in the 8th minute the ball held up in the wind which helped Cumming get the better of Redmond, his cross was half cleared by Grant but only as far as LAVER who fired his shot past Wallace off the inside of the post and into the net to put the home side one up.

Broxburn tried to respond quickly but were having difficulty harnessing the strong wind to their advantage. In 11 minutes a long ball from Gillen saw Binnie just beaten to the ball by home keeper Henderson.

In 19 minutes Broxburn had their clearest chance thus far Binnie playing the ball into Ireland whose shot beat Henderson but curled past the left hand post.

Binnie was working hard up front for Broxburn with Henderson just reaching the ball before him at the edge of the penalty area his clearance hitting off the forward to safety.

Smith played a great ball in from the left for Lothian Thistle in 21 minutes but Cumming couldn’t take advantage and knocked the ball out.

From a Wallace clearance the ball skidded off the surface with Ireland chasing, once again Henderson was alert to the situation and was quick off his line to collect.

Ireland worked a good position for himself down the left cutting inside but his cross was easily taken by Henderson.

In 42 minutes Penker was booked for Lothian Thistle. Grant was booked for Broxburn.

Laver was booked for a foul on Binnie on 45 minutes.

In first half injury time Beesley put over a great free kick which a Lothian Thistle defender headed just wide of his own goal.

Half Time: Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 1– 0 Broxburn Athletic

Broxburn kicked off the second half facing into the elements and looked to get on to the front foot but Beesley’s crossing opportunity didn’t clear the first defender.

In 47 minutes Cumming went close to increasing the home sides lead just firing past the left hand post.

Beesley put in a great ball right across the face of goal in 52 minutes but there was no one in red who could take advantage.

As Broxburn continued to gain the upper hand great passing between Redmond, Ireland and Binnie saw the home defenders block the attempted cross for a corner. From the resultant corner Grant got in a shot which was blocked by the defence but they couldn’t clear the ball in the ensuing scramble Redmond heading the ball to BRASS who forced the ball into the net at the back post.

Lothian Thistle were having similar issues as Broxburn had in trying to use the conditions to their advantage Smith did get a shot on target but it was straight at Wallace.

Lothian Thistle made a change in 59 minutes Cumming going off for Mbewe.

Beesley then was replaced by Ross for Broxburn.

Ross had a fairly instant impact linking up well with Binnie the ball breaking to Ireland whose shot was on target but straight to Henderson.

Cunningham was next to line up a shot at the other end but he was well wide of target.

Ross was getting plenty room to play in down the right, beating his man and putting over a great cross which Binnie just couldn’t make contact with at the back post.

Lothian Thisle responded in 67 minutes with a great run and cross from Deland but no home player could take advantage.

This was followed by a nice move down the right side ending with Mbewe blazing over when well positioned.

The game was becoming very stretched from one end to the other and it was the visitors who struck when Gillen played a great ball down the line for Ross to chase he put over a teasing cross with BINNIE sliding in at the back post to provide the finish in 66 minutes.

Nimmo replaced Ireland in 68 minutes for his first appearance of the season.

Deland had had a good game for the home side down the left, he made an enterprising run finding Mbewe who just shot wide of the right hand post.

Another nice Broxburn passing move between Greenhill, Binnie and Brass saw Henderson forced to save from Brass’s shot.

Right down the other end and Wallace was tested by another Laver shot.

In 74 minutes, the hectic pace continued in atrocious conditions Binnie and Ross this time setting up Nimmo his shot had Henderson diving full length the shot fortuanately hitting his foot and going to safety.

Brass then did brilliantly to beat 2 defenders before playing the ball to Ross whose shot was deflected wide of the goal.

Brass was booked for Broxburn in 78 minutes.

Kelly replaced Binnie in 79 minutes.

With the visitors looking dangerous each time they came forward Redmond headed infield from a Lothian Thistle throw in finding Brass who slid the ball across the penalty area to NIMMO who steadied himself before firing the ball past Henderson and into the net in 82 minutes.

The home side continued to come forward however Signorini playing a great ball to Penker whose cross was met by CUNNINGHAM who volleyed in a great shot past Wallace in 86 minutes to reduce the deficit.

Nimmo went close to restoring the visitors 2 goal advantage his shot taking a deflection off a defender with Henderson doing well to keep the ball out.

Smeaton replaced Signorini in 87 minutes for Lothian Thistle.

Ross was booked for Broxburn in injury time.

With Lothian Thistle throwing everyone forward and Broxburn defending deep a cross was thrown into the front post by Deland and LALLY got his head to it and it flew ito the net for a last gasp equaliser in 93 minutes.

Connor Wallace was also booked for Broxburn.

A real blow for Broxburn seemingly having the game won when going 3-1 ahead only to drop 2 points at the last gasp. On the plus side great to see Ross Nimmo back in action for the first time snce January.

Full Time: Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 3 – 3 Broxburn Athletic

Teams:

Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale: Henderson; Deland, Crawford, Lally, Cunningham, Cumming, Smith (c), Wringe, Signorini; Laver, Penker

Subs: Kelly (unused), Smeaton. Donald (unused), Ronaldson (unused), Ross (unused), Doherty (unused), Mbewe

Broxburn Athletic: Wallace (c); Gillen, Redmond, Grant, Wright, Beesley, Nicol, Greenhill; Brass, Binnie, Ireland

Subs: Donoghue (Unused), Cowley (unused), Kelly, Turnbull (unused) , Ross, Murray (unused), Nimmo