Preston Athletic v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Attendance 140

League Cup 1st Round: Preston Athletic v Broxburn Athletic – 4 March 2023

 The Brox headed for Pennypit Park to kick off their League Cup campaign against First Division Preston Athletic.

Broxburn made 3 changes from the the side which drew at home to Oakley United in the league last week, Sayers, Henderson and Douglas replaced with Wright, D.Nimmo and Downie.

Preston are in mid table in the First Division coming into the game following a 3-2 win at home against Thornton Hibs 3-2 last weekend.

Orru went on a run down the left in the 3^rd minute and was fouled by Reilly. From Orru’s free kick Currie headed clear.

The first clear chance fell to the visitors in the 6^th minute, a long ball forward was flicked on by Brass with Binnie on to it but his shot took a deflection when heading over the bar.

In the 8^th minute Preston had a real let off, Gillen played in a deep cross which Orru got up well to at the back post but his header hit the bar, the ball breaking to Binnie who handled the ball when it bounced up.

Broxburn deservedly went ahead in 11 minutes, a nice passing move down the left saw Orru into the penalty area his pin point cross was met by DOWNIE who thumped the ball into the net.

In the 14^th minute Preston got forward down the right Jack winning a corner off Orru and D.Nimmo. Subasic took the kick the ball broke to Currie who tried to cut the ball back but Wright cleared.

Orru took a corner from the right in 23 minutes deep to the back post Wright won with his head back across goal the ball cleared out to Bremner whose shot was well struck but over the bar.

Bremner was booked in 24 minutes.

Hand was then booked for a heavy tackle on Orru in the following minute.

Orru was again prominent in 28 minutes doing great work down the left his cross blocked by Stirling in the home goal.

Gillen played a good ball forward to Binnie on the half hour his cross being blocked for a corner and cleared.

Preston had their first clear opportunity in 31 minutes Jack sent over a cross which Hamilton flicked on but there was no one in blue to take advantage at the back post.

Another opportunity presented itself for the home side a minute later B.Donaldson made a mistake on the right Hamilton took advantage but his cross was out of reach of Devlin.

Subasic then tested Donoghue in 42 minutes with a shot which he saved at the second attempt.

The Brox then had a claim for a penalty turned down with Bremner slipping the ball through, Reilly miscontrolled allowing Binnie to get a touch on the ball and appeared to be brought down by keeper Stirling but play was waved on.

The second goal duly did arrive in 44 minutes keeper Stirling fluffing his goal kick straight to BRASS who shot the ball powerfully into the net from 25 yards.

HALF TIME: Preston Athletic 0 – 2 Broxburn Athletic

Preston made a change at half time Archibald replaced Jack.

The substitute nearly had an immediate impact p[cking up on an Orru error but his shot was high and over the bar.

Broxburn had a chance to re-instate there 2 goal lead Wright playing a great ball to Orru who beat his man before slipping the ball to Downie who fired the ball into the left side net of the goal.

The home side were very unfortunate not to score in 51 minutes having made great progress on the right Archibald slung over a great cross which Hamilton on the stretch at the back post couldn’t get a touch to.

Broxburn switched to a back 4 at this point.

In 58 minutes the home side were rewarded for their second half improvement ARCHIBALD being played in on the right and curling a shot past Donoghue and into the left hand corner of the net.

On the hour Wright and Downie were replaced by Henderson and Douglas.

Bremner then tested out Stirling in the home goal striking a shot in 62 minutes which the keeper did well to save.

Preston had a presentable chance in 63 minutes Subasic playing a ball in from a free kick on the left but Devlin headed over when well placed.

Henderson took on a shot from 25 yards out which was well struck but drifted wide to the right.

Orru and Brass then combined to get Orru in on goal but the ball wouldn’t fall for him nor could he get enough on the ball to put into the net.

In 74 minutes Keenan and Hand were replaced by Donaldson and McKinnon.

Henderson played Binnie into the clear on the right his cross cum shot was well struck getting a touch from Brass on the way to clattering off the post.

Hamilton cut past Gillen in the 80th minute and shot which Donoghue took at the second attempt.

In the 83^rd minute Brass played a precise pass to Clark on the right and with Binnie in the middle the cross did not get past McKinnon. Broxburn defended the closing stages stoutly and saw out the game safely.

FULL TIME: : Preston Athletic 1– 2 Broxburn

Referee Mr  W. Pare