Sauchie v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Attendance 200

East of Scotland Premier League Sauchie Juniors East of Scotland Premier League ______________________________________________________________________________________________Sauchie__ v Broxburn Athletic – 28 January 2023

Broxburn travelled to Beechwood Park for a tough test to face Sauchie Juniors who are having a good season.

For Steve Pittman’s first game in charge in his second managerial spell at the club 2 changes were made from the 3-1 home win v Hill Of Beath 2 weeks ago, Wright and Binnie replacing Clark and Downie.

Like Broxburn, Sauchie’s last game was 7^th January where they shared 6 goals with Lothian Thistle. The hosts made 4 changes Sam Davidson, McCaughie, Hutchison and Balmer replacing Kelly, Connor, Williamson and Scott Davidson.

Broxburn kicked off with the breeze at their backs but it was the hosts who were straight on the front foot Kavanagh advanced and got off a shot which was blocked well by Wright.

In the 3^rd minute Docherty swung in a cross from the left which Kavanagh challenged for with Blair who dropped the ball but a foul was given.

Broxburn responded with Orru on the left swinging in a great ball which Gillen got his head to but couldn’t direct on target.

Kavanagh was prominent in the home attacks and in 9 minutes he was put in the clear rounded Blair but was forced to the right, his cross into the middle was well defended by B.Donaldson to avert the danger.

In 12 minutes the deadlock was almost broken a speculative Docherty cross from the left went over Blair’s head and off the right hand post and bounced to safety.

A minute later and it was the Brox’s turn to go close Greenhill fed R.Nimmo on the right his cross being met by the head of Wright whose header went narrowly over the bar.

The visitors were coming more into the game now and from a long ball forward Brass flicked the ball on with his head with Binnie anticipating well and he tried a chip over the advancing Clark who had to stretch to save the strikers effort.

In 18 minutes Greenhill was booked for a foul on Carroll.

Sauchie fashioned a couple of shooting chances with Davidson and Docherty both dragging their efforts wide of the left hand post.

In 24 minutes B.Donaldson was booked.

A minute later neat interplay between McCaughie and Willaghan resulted in the ball being chipped into the middle where Davidson drove the ball wide of the right post.

Sauchie were shouting for a penalty in 37 minutes when Willaghan crossed and it was claimed the ball had hit Wright’s arm but the officials thought otherwise and play went on.

Wright pulled back Kavanagh on the edge of the box and was booked in 42 minutes with Kavanagh also taking the free kick which hit the defensive wall.

With half time approaching Orru cut in from the left and played a pass to McConnell 25 yards from goal but his shot was well wide to the right.

HALF TIME: Sauchie Juniors 0 – 0 Broxburn Athletic

In 49 minutes Smith played the ball to McCaughie whose cross was well blocked by Harrison.

A minute later Willaghan put a ball into the box from the right which Kavanagh won but he headed over the bar.

Broxburn were having some joy down the right and a nice passing move between Gillen and R.Nimmo played B.Donaldson into the box with his left foot shot just flying over the bar.

In 54 minutes R.Nimmo was booked.

Smith did well for the home side his neat turn and run winning a corner. From the corner in 55 minutes there was an amazing double let off for the Brox from the corner the ball broke to McCaughie who cracked a shot off the underside of the bar, the ball bounced up and broke for Kavanagh who saw his header hit the bar. Broxburn eventually scrambled the ball clear after another corner.

The pressure continued to build on the visitors from another corner captain Harrison getting in a timely block to prevent a goal.

In 62 minutes the ball was crossed in from the right finding McCaughie only 8 yards out but he somehow managed to hit his shot into a Brox defender, the ball broke to Kavanagh who saw his effort cleared from near the goal line by B.Donaldson.

In 63 minutes Jeffries and Clark replaced Greenhill and McConnell.

The injured Binnie then needed to be withdrawn 2 minutes later being replaced by Gray.

Blair was then pressed into action to save a well struck shot from Morgan.

Then in 68 minutes a golden chance for Broxburn, Orru played in a great ball from the left Balmer misjudged the flight, the ball falling for Brass who fired over the bar from the edge of the penalty box.

Ex Brox player Hutchison was booked in 72 minutes.

From a poor kick out from Clark in 74 minutes R.Nimmo intercepted he played the ball into Brass whose shot was well blocked by Carroll.

Another Broxburn change in 76 minutes Douglas for Gillen.

In 80 minutes Gray conceded a corner on the left Davidson took the kick which broke for Docherty at the back post with his shot going just over the bar.

Two minutes later Docherty fouled Clark in a dangerous position central 22 yards from goal. Jeffries took the kick but it hit the home defensive wall.

In 85 minutes after defending brilliantly the whole game the Brox were undone the ball was played in from the left and after a blocked shot, the ball broke to MORGAN who steadied himself before curling an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

With a minute remaining Gray played in a ball from the left which broke to Jeffries who got off a shot which went straight through to keeper Clark.

Connor replaced Sam Davidson in 90 minutes.

In injury time a further home change Dickie for Docherty.

Additional bookings in the game: McCaughie and Morgan for Sauchie.

FULL TIME: Sauchie Juniors 1 – 0 Broxburn Athletic

Referee   Mr. K. Hall  Assistants  Mr. C.Newman , Mr. D.Brogan