Rob Dryden

BROXBURN ATHLETIC V HEARTS FC (B)

Attendance  375

Pre – Season Friendly: Broxburn Athletic v Hearts B 18 July 2023

Broxburn continued their pre-season friendlies with the visit of Lowland League side Hearts B to the Albyn. Broxburn made 6 changes to the starting line up from the one who had impressively over turned Gartcairn 4-0 last weekend. R.Nimmo, Downie, Heath, Trialists 15,16 and 21 replaced Munro, Page, D.Nimmo, Douglas, Brass and Trialist No 7.

Hearts B finished in 13th position in their first season in the Lowland League in 2022/23. They had been in good form in their pre-season friendlies winning 3-0 against Preston Athletic and last Saturday 3-1 versus Dunbar United.

There were early chances in the game for both sides. In the 2nd minute McLuckie made good ground down the left and then squared to Kirk who worked keeper Watt who saved with his feet.
Bremner had a chance for the Brox but he headed the ball past the right post.
In the 11th minute Bremner was fouled around 30 yards out, Locke took the free kick but it was high and well off target.
Down the other end and McLuckie made a good run down the left and cut back to Kirk whose shot was blocked for a corner. Watt claimed the corner confidently.
In the 14th minute Heath cut in from the left and was fouled 30 yards out by Chisholm. Davidson took the kick deep to the back post but was overhit and beyond Millar.
Hearts were knocking the ball around well with Chisholm trying his luck from distance but Watt saved comfortably.

In the 20th minute Friel committed a foul on Locke on the left Davidson took the kick which was palmed in the air by keeper McFarlane which he took at the second attempt.

A decent Brox move in 26 minutes saw Davidson slide a good ball out to R.Nimmo who whipped the ball in just eluding Downie in the process.

The Brox’s best effort at goal came on the half hour Heath cutting inside and letting rip a shot from 22 yards which McFarlane did brilliantly to save and parry round the post at the expense of a corner. Davidson took the award but the keeper was fouled ending the move.

Broxburn were defending the slick Hearts passing moves well McLuckie again prominent and getting off a shot which was blocked by Trialist No 21. Another chance presented itself this time Friel who couldn’t keep his shot down.

R.Nimmo and Trialist No 15 combined well down the right wing R.Nimmo swinging in a cross which McFarlane collected well.

In 37 minutes Friel took a free kick which from 22 yards which just curled over the bar.

In the 40th minute the breakthrough came for the wee Jambo’s nice work down the right saw the ball worked inro DALL who was afforded time to turn and slot the ball low past Watt into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Ross then fired in a shot which was straight at Watt.

Davidson was replaced by Gray in the 42nd minute.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 0 – 1 Hearts B
Changes at halftime: Page for Millar, Munro for Trialist No.15 and Campbell for Bremner. Hearts B introduced a Trialist No.13 in their goals.
Hearts came out of the traps flying Stevenson firing in a strong shot which Watt saved and did brlliantly to smother at Kirk’s feet on the rebound.
In the 51st minute great play from Chisholm to find McLuckie but his curling shot went just wide of the right hand post.
Stevenson won a corner off Page on the left, McLuckie took the corner picking out Friel at the edge of the box who volleyed first time but his effort went just wide of the left post.
In 56 minutes the wee Jambo’s were awarded a penalty Trialist No.16 bringing down Kirk. KIRK took the penalty and sent Watt the wrong way his kick going left, the keeper to the right. Time 57 minutes.
In the following minute Kirk went off to be replaced by Plesiewicz.
The Brox made good ground in 59 minutes Campbell setting R.Nimmo away down the right, the wee winger’s cross was a good one which was defended for a corner. Gray took the kick high to the back post Page won but couldn’t direct onto the target.
In 63 minutes McLuckie went off Hogarth came on.
Stevenson worked his way into the penalty box but curled his effort high and over.
Trialist No.16 made a good run down the left and cut the ball back to Heath whose shot was blocked.
Ross then got a shot off from a tight angle which Watt was the equal of.
In 70 minutes R.Nimmo was replaced by D.Nimmo and for Hearts B Stevenson and Friel were substituted for Burn and Muirhead.
A further change for Hearts B in 76 minutes Crookston replaced Duncan.
In the next minute a mistake on the right by Munro the ball was played into the back post on the right where Ross got his head to the ball but Watt saved well at his right post.
Broxburn put together their best move of the 2nd half in 79 minutes Trialist No.16 played in a great ball Heath struck a shot first time which McConnell did well to save .
Another change for Hearts B followed Ross went off Anderson on then not long after Dall was replaced with Trialist No.17.
Hearts B should have added to their tally in injury time Plesiewicz flicking the ball through to Muirhead but he shot over when well placed.
FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 0 – 2 Hearts B

Referee Mr M. Harris  Assistants Mr J. Fairley (jnr) , Mr A. Simmonds

 

 

Sam Ostle

Luke Paxton

Martin Scott

Adam Watson

Jamie Kelly

Nicholas Reid

Lasana Drammeh

Liam Watt