Oakley United v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Attendance 85

East Of Scotland Qualifying Cup 3rd Round: Oakley United v Broxburn Athletic – 22 October 2022

Broxburn were on their travels once again this week in the East Of Scotland Qualifying Cup this time to Fife to face Oakley United. Broxburn made 3 changes from last weeks’ starting XI who were successful at Whitburn, Orru, Jeffries and Newall replacing G.Donaldson, Harrison and Clark.

Oakley went into the game having lost their cup tie at Linlithgow Rose last week by 3-0.

Conditions at Blairwood Park weren’t ideal with a heavy playing surface and rain to contend with.

In the 2^nd minute Henderson did well down the right and put over a decent cross which Murray defended well at the concession of a corner. Greenhill’s corner didn’t beat the first man.

The home side also managed a decent cross into the box in 6 minutes but B.Donaldson headed clear strongly.

In a very scrappy start to the game as both sides tried to master the conditions Oakley were having slightly the better of it but couldn’t find any telling pass or cross.

Newall made good ground down the right in 10 minutes but his cross couldn’t find anyone in good position to apply a killer touch.

In 12 minutes the first shot on target fell to Oakley as Bruce got a sight of the goal on the right and drilled in a shot which Blair blocked for a corner.

In the following minute on the left this time Bedborough was persistent having his first cross attempt blocked by Newall the ball broke back to him and his shot just went wide of the right post.

Broxburn began to assert themselves in the Oakley half but they just couldn’t find the final pass to unlock the diligent home defence.

The Brox come a bit closer in 23 minutes to unlocking the Oakley defence with nice play between McConnell and Greenhill who sent Binnie on a run down the left but his cross was well blocked and broke back off the striker for a goal kick.

The home defence was breached a minute later Newall played a great ball down the right wing to Brass who out muscled the home defender, he shot for goal and BINNIE was on hand inside the 6 yard box to bundle the ball into the net.

Oakley tried to respond in 28 minutes Bedborough and McAdam work a crossing opportunity on the left which is on the money but finds no colleague to apply a finish.

Newall was having a productive game down the right beating 3 men with his cross being blocked for a corner. From Greenhill’s corner from the left which is aimed at the goal line in 32 minutes Young in the home goal slipped when coming for the ball and PENMAN who was immediately behind him was caught unawares and diverted the ball into his own net.

Broxburn were having a good spell Brass prominent up front cracking a shot just over the bar.

The home side responded in 37 minutes but Mooney was denied a goal by the lineman’s flag indicating he had strayed offside.

In 38 minutes Newall and Henderson worked a neat move on halfway with Newall’s forward pass just out of Brass’s reach.

The home side had a real escape in 40 minutes Newall once again at the heart of it on the right sending over a deep cross to the back post which Binnie won finding Brass with his back to goal he tried an audacious overhead kick which beat the keeper but Allan pulled off a brilliant goal line clearance.

HALF TIME: Oakley United 0 – 2 Broxburn Athletic

Oakley made a change at half time Stapleton replacing Penman.

Oakley started on the front foot in the 2^nd half McAdam crossed from the left but the offside flag was up with Blair collecting the cross easily.

Binnie set up Orru in 48 minutes but his effort was blocked and cleared well by the defence.

Newall was causing lots of problems for Oakley down the right beating another 2 men and winning a corner in 58 minutes. Greenhill’s corner was another great delivery Brass winning with his header finding BINNIE once again to be Johnny on the spot and apply the finishing touch from close range.

On the hour mark Sinclair replaced Greenhill.

An Oakley change followed Cairns for Mooney.

In 62 minutes 2 more changes for the Brox Douglas and R.Nimmo replacing Brass and Binnie.

A minute later Bernard played in a great ball from a free kick which was well defended by B.Donaldson.

R.Nimmo had an instant impact playing the ball in from the left to Henderson his path to goal was blocked off the ball breaking to ORRU 25 yards out and his shot hit Goodlad and spiralled up over Young and into the net.

Oakley to their credit continued to try and come forward McAdam having a good shooting chance but he fired wide of the right post.

In 70 minutes Yapoudjian replaced McAdam.

Dawson played a neat ball into Bruce but he fired his shot over from 25 yards out.

Blair played an intelligent goal kick out to R.Nimmo in 76 minutes with his cross to the back post won by McConnell but his cut back was cleared to safety.

In 82 minutes the Brox go nap Henderson finding JEFFRIES at the edge of the box and he drilled a shot low into the bottom right corner of the net.

Oakley got a sight of goal in 83 minutes Bruce shooting on target but Blair saved well with his feet.

In 87 minutes it should be 6 as Orru, Jeffries and R.Nimmo combined to send Douglas in on goal but the striker dragged his shot inches wide to the left.

In 88 minutes Wilson replaced Bedborough for the home side.

Sayers needed treatment in the last minute but couldn’t continue, leaving the Brox to see out stoppage time with 10 men.

FULL TIME: Oakley United 0 – 5 Broxburn Athletic

 REFEREE MR. C. STIRLING       ASSISTANTS   MR A. LAWRENCE, MR. J. FEECHAN