Tranent Juniors v Broxburn Athletic

Report

Pre Season Friendly: Tranent Juniors v Broxburn Athletic – 12 July 2022

Broxburn made the trip down to East Lothian to face last season’s East of Scotland champions Tranent Juniors. The Brox made 6 changes to the starting line up from last Saturday against Dundee North End, Donaldson, Jeffries, Newall, Churchill, Brass and Douglas replacing Nimmo, Sayers, Clark, McConnell, Downie and Binnie.
Both sides took time to settle into their passing on a glorious night for football at Foresters Park.
In 7 minutes Donaldson floated a nice free kick down the right with Anderson forcing a corner off Broxburn’s Donaldson. Harrison headed strongly clear from the corner.
Broxburn responded in 9 minutes Douglas laying the ball off to Churchill who’s run forward was blocked the ball breaking to the right and hitting off Newall and safely through to Scott in the home goal.
In 11 minutes a let off for the visitors with Currie finding Maughan down the right and his cross was caught on the volley by Docherty 25 yards out and his effort crashed off the bar.
The left was proving a good area to attack for the home side Greig sending in a cross which Maughan got to but diverted the ball wide of the left post.
The Brox responded well creating a chance from an Orru cross which Newall did well to strike a good shot which the Scott parried away and was cleared by the defence.
Good combination play from Douglas, Churchill and Brass resulted in Brass’s shot being blocked. The ball was switched wide to Douglas who sent over a great cross but they were no takers in red to convert.
In 17 minutes Anderson was fouled 25 yards out, Simpson took the free kick but was too high and cleared the bar.
Tranent continued to make ground down their left Docherty this time cutting inside to fire off a great shot which Wallace had to dive full length to save.
The chances continued to fall for the home side Maughan being sent in on goal but a heavy touch allowed Wallace to smother at his feet.
In a very open game in 24 minutes McConnell played a nice pass to Churchill who advanced and cracked a great shot from 25 yards which Scott tipped over the bar when it seemed destined for the top corner.
Neat play again in midfield saw Anderson play a pass to Docherty on the left , he once again advanced and hit a shot which just went past the right hand post.
It was no surprise when the opening goal arrived from the left hand side Greig’s cross was met by MAUGHAN whose shot went into the net past Wallace.
It was Docherty again who created another chance for the home side this time cutting inside past Newall but his shot was straight at Wallace.
In 43 minutes Simpson hit a great drive from 25 yards but once again Wallace pulled off another great save.
HALF TIME: Tranent Juniors 1 – 0 Broxburn Athletic
Changes for the start of the second half Broxburn replaced Jeffries with Clark.
Tranent introduced Stevenson and Sommerville for Bauld and Murphy. Carter replaced Scott in the home goal.
In 48 minutes Broxburn were close to an equaliser Newall clipping in a nice ball for Brass to get his head to which Carter did well to tip over. From the resulting corner Harrison headed wide.
There were shouts for a penalty in 51 minutes as Douglas tried to get past Barr but the referee wasn’t impressed and allowed the game to continue.
In 57 minutes Sommerville did well to cut out an Orru cross with Brass ready to apply a finish.
On the hour the Brox made 7 changes, Gillen, Donaldson, McConnell, Churchill, Newall, Brass and Douglas going off. Sayers, Downie, Binnie, Murray, Henderson, Greenhill and Gray.
Tranent made 2 changes in 63 minutes Miller and Archibald coming on Currie and Simpson going off.
The Brox changes had a positive impact Gray showing great persistence in battling to get a ball through to DOWNIE who slotted the ball into the net in 65 minutes.
In 69 minutes Sayers played a nice ball down the right to Downie who gathered and put over an excellent ball into the home penalty box but it didn’t drop to a red shirt and the danger was cleared.
With the visitors in the ascendancy things suddenly fell apart in a 3 minute period, from a throw in on the right in 71 minutes no one picked up Anderson who rolled the ball across the Broxburn box where MAUGHAN had the simple task to tap the ball into the net from 3 yards.
Worse was to follow Clark had to be withdrawn after picking up a knock, Tranent agreed to Broxburn being allowed to bring back on Gillen but a foul by Murray on Stevenson in the penalty box gave MAUGHAN a chance to complete his hat trick from the penalty spot which he duly did.
In 80 minutes Orru advanced down the left and passed inside to Gray who beat his man neatly and fired a shot just wide of the right hand post.
In 83 minutes Sayers was caught in possession by Greig who cut the ball back for Docherty but the winger fluffed his shot straight to Wallace.
Greenhill fed Gray with a couple of minutes left who collected the ball , advanced and struck another shot this time just wide of the left hand post. Tranent broke up the other end of the park Docherty dispossessing Sayers and got to the bye line but Wallace saved well smothering the wingers effort.
Another decent work out for Broxburn with lots of positives to be taken against a very sharp Tranent side who on this showing will acquit themselves well in the Lowland League.
Broxburn continue their pre-season build up when Bo’ness United come calling on Saturday to the Albyn.
FULL TIME: Tranent Juniors 3 – 1 Broxburn Athletic