Venue: Away

Crowd 249

Tonight we return to league action , with a trip down the A1where we take on Haddington Athletic in the EOSFL Premier Division .Broxburn make 4 changes to the team that defeated Lesmahagow in the South Challenge Cup on Saturday . Darren Downie , Ben Davidson , Nick Locke and Greg page come in for Greg Binnie , Dan Nimmo, Liam Campbell and Ross Nimmo .

Home side Haddington Athletic lie in 4th place going into this one , level with rivals Dunbar United and 1 point behind 2nd place Jeanfield Swifts . In their last fixture , they lost at home to Sauchie 3-2 in league action on Saturday the 7th October .

Haddington Athletic are in marron and sky blue kit and playing 4-3-3 .

Broxburn are in gold strips , black shorts and gold and black socks and are playing 3-5-2 .

Good start for Broxburn in the early stages . Good running by Marky Munro who drives forward but has no options and is eventually cleared by Haddington . Marky Munro gets to the byeline and delivers a good cross in . It’s forced for a corner . From the corner Conor Thomson nearly catches out the keeper McLellan who dives to  push it away. it ends up coming back to corner taker  Thomson who shoots way over on the volley.

21 minutes in and we have the first real effort of the game comes from Haddington as Guy McGarry shoots wide of the left hand .

GOAL! Darren Downie wins the ball in the corner . He finds BEN DAVIDSON  who’s powerful effort beats McLellan for the opener on 23 minutes

HADDINGTON ATHLETIC  0

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 ( Davidson )

Nearly an early equaliser for Haddington . Gary Windram drives down the right . He cuts it over for Guy McGarry who skies it over the bar for the home side .

ben Davidson wins the ball high up the park but he cant find Darren Downie and Haddington Clear .

sub Broxburn Nick Locke off  Callum Heath on  38 minutes.

Another Haddington half chance Gary Windram puts his effort wide of the left hand post

HALF TIME HADDINGTON 0 BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1

Marky Munro finds Callum Heath in a central position . He takes good touch but shoots way over the bar .

Good period for the home side . had a lot of the ball since half time , but  Broxburn  have defended well .

sub Broxburn Dan Nimmo for Conor Thomson  63 minutes

Shouts for a penalty . Good hold up play by Gary Brass who finds Andrew Gillen , his low cross is for Darren Downie  who goes down under the challenge . Referee Duff say’s no penalty .

sub Broxburn  Greg Binnie for Greg Page  69 minutes .

Broxburn’s Darren Downie cautioned on 74 minutes for a foul . From the free kick Haddington’s Ali Simpson hit the side netting from a ball over .

Bit of a pushing and Shoving match on the far side , see’s Broxburn’s Andy Gillen and Haddington’s Ross Young both booked  on 75 minutes .

Good work by Greg Binnie on the left hand side who uses his strength to go beyond Corey Robinson and draw the foul . Free Kick comes to nothing . Callum Heath picks up centrally and shoots wide of the target .Straight red for Haddington’s Seamus Russell for a high challenge on Marky Munro in the 85th minute  .

Huge shouts for a penalty from the home support as Ali Simpson goes down from a long ball . Shot by Ross King is just over the bar for the home side .

Broxburn hang on for a huge result on the road , against a very good side to put us 4 clear at the top of the table  . FULL  TIME HADDINGTON ATHLETIC 0 BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1

REFEREE MR. S. DUFF    ASSISTANTS  MR .B. BRACKLEY  , MR. L. QUINTON

Attendance 180

East Of Scotland Premier League: Hill Of Beath Hawthorn v Broxburn Athletic 30 September 2023 

STATS ON LEFT PROVIDED BY OUR VEO CAMERA

Back to league duty for The Brox this week after 2 exciting cup tie successes over Whitburn and Nairn County respectively, with a trip to Fife to face Hill of Beath.

Broxburn made 3 changes to the side who had seen off Highland League Nairn County 7 days ago, D.Nimmo, Thomson and Davidson for Munro, Bremner and R.Nimmo.

Hill of Beath have had a tough start to the season losing their last game to Lowland League Cumbernauld Colts by 2-1 in the South Challenge Cup.

The home side started positively Runciman made good head way down the right wing with his cross being well met by D.Nimmo who headed clear.

Broxburn responded well Thomson played in a ball from the right which Locke controlled well turned and fired a shot over the bar.

Then from a long ball forward in the 5^th minute from Page, Locke set off in pursuit stretched out a leg to try and control but collapsed to the ground. After treatment Locke continued.

In 8 minutes from a ball played in from the left Runciman met first time with Thomson reacting well to block his shot and clear.

Locke was unable to continue and replaced by Gillen in 9 minutes.

The Haws good start to the game continued a Runciman cross was retrieved on the left by Day who chipped in a cross which D.Watt won, but his header went straight to Watt.

In the 13^th minute Moyles took a free kick from the right which Brass won with his head but his effort was well off target.

Ward played in a nice looking cross from the left which Love cut out with his head at the concession of a corner.

Thomson took the kick which was right on the money, DOUGLAS rose and glanced a header into the right hand corner of the net. Time 17 minutes.

Love was booked in 22 minutes.

From a ball forward Gillen chested the ball off to Thomson who hit a hard and low shot which just went past the left hand post.

Hill of Beath had a decent opportunity in 25 minutes Runciman firing in a great ball from the right finding Adams in the 6 yard box but he couldn’t connect with the ball properly with Watt collecting easily.

The right side continued to be the Haws best route to goal Runciman once again with a good ball into the box D.Watt met first time but his shot was high and wide.

A foul was awarded to Galloway after a foul by Turner 30 yards from goal. Day took the kick which Page headed out for a corner on the right. Clapperton took the corner with the Brox scrambling the ball clear to Runciman who got off a shot which went wide left of target.

In 39 minutes Turner chipped a ball forward searching out Moyles who forced Day to concede a corner.

Thomson’s corner was once again excellent which Douglas won again this time his header going just over the bar.

Davidson was booked for persistent fouling in 44 minutes.

In first half injury time Douglas chased a long ball from Page which he did well to win, his cross in was good which M.Watt defended well calmly chesting the ball back to keeper Penman.

HALF TIME: Hill Of Beath Hawthorn 0 – 1 Broxburn Athletic

In 48 minutes D.Nimmo did well to cut out a cross from Day.

A minute later Brass head flicked the ball on to Douglas who turned Rendall and crossed the ball to win a corner but pulled up with what looked like a calf injury. After a couple of minutes treatment Douglas had to be helped off with Wilson replacing him.

From the corner Thomson took the kick Page won the header but it went well over the bar.

In 53 minutes D.Nimmo misjudged a through ball with D.Watt on to it he was brought down, with the Brox defender being shown a yellow card.

LOVE took the free kick from about 22 yards which he took expertly and curled the ball high into the net to tie the game. Time 54 minutes.

Two minutes later there was a shout for a penalty when Brass went down but the referee wasn’t interested.

Clapperton was booked for a foul on Davidson on the hour.

In 62 minutes Clapperton was fouled by Turner. Love took the free kick M.Watt won the header but his effort was collected easily by Watt.

Adamson was replaced by new loan signing from Kelty Hearts Hunter.

The home side continued to press D.Watt doing well to hold the ball up and sliding the ball wide to Runciman whose cross was blocked for a corner. Clapperton took the kick with Brass heading clear for the Brox.

Broxburn then forced 3 corners in quick succession all taken by Thomson with Page winning headers none of which could find their way to the net, the third setting up Wilson for a shot which he hit hard and low and just wide of the right hand post.

Brass won a header which broke for Wilson and he set up Gillen whose shot deflected wide left.

In 74 minutes Gillen whipped in a cross which Brass won but his header looped over the bar.

Galloway was replaced by Luke for the Haws.

Broxburn continued to press Turner playing the ball to Gillen on the right who crossed with Brass winning the header but he couldn’t get enough on his effort to trouble keeper Penman.

D.Watt hit a shot for goal which Watt dived to save.

In 80 minutes Heath came on for Davidson.

Three minutes later Day was replaced by Tosh.

Page played an excellent ball forward to Wilson who flicked the ball into HEATH at the edge of the box who shot hard and low with his left foot, the ball beat Penman and into the bottom right hand corner of the net to put the Brox back ahead. Time 84 minutes.

Page was booked in 85 minutes.

In 87 minutes Thomson played a ball through to Heath who beat his man and cracked a great shot for goal which just cleared the bar.

Broxburn managed to play the game out for a very hard fought win.

FULL TIME: Hill Of Beath Hawthorn 1 – 2 Broxburn Athletic

Referee  Mr. C. Newman   Assistants  Mr C.Foreman , Mr. R. Duncan

Attendance 150

East Of Scotland Premier League: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Broxburn Athletic 9 September 2023 

Broxburn made the short trip over the Forth to Dalgety Bay to face Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts on a gloriously warm day for football.

The Brox kept faith with the starting XI who had performed so well in disposing of Lochee United in the Scottish Cup last Saturday and climbed to the league summit on Tuesday by defeating Jeanfield Swifts at the Albyn.

Inverkeithing have had an indifferent start to the season and came into this game off the back of 2 home defeats from Kinnoull and Haddington respectively. The Swifts made 2 changes to the midweek defeat against Haddington Osborne and Wood replaced Kelly and Reilly.

The game kicked off with the sun beating down at and temperature gauges registering at 25 degrees. The hosts were first to have a chance in the 2^nd minute from a mistake from Turner, Wood got to the bye line on the right and drilled a ball across which Moyles did well to knock behind for a corner. Cumming took the kick but the ball was headed clear.

In the 3^rd minute Broxburn responded Moyles played a nice ball down the right wing for Munro who crossed well Heath’s header was blocked with the ball breaking to Brass whose effort was also blocked and cleared.

The Brox were buzzing around the Inverkeithing goal Heath forced a corner off Binnie. R.Nimmo took the kick but the ball was headed out to the edge of the box on the left to Bremner who steadied himself and curled in a shot which keeper Gibb dived full length to push away from danger.

The Swifts showed they could also be dangerous picking up on a Brox error in midfield Mason fashioned a shooting chance and curled his effort off the bar.

In 10 minutes Broxburn turned their bright start into a lead R. Nimmo collecting a ball on the right and feeding into Locke he played in a great ball which HEATH got to and headed down into the net past Gibb.

Broxburn had their tails up Heath once again proving a handful making ground through the centre of the Inverkeithing defence and sliding Locke in on goal with a fine pass, Locke tried to round Gibb but was clearly brought down with the referee pointing to the spot.

TURNER stepped up to take the kick and sent Gibb the wrong way to double the Brox’s advantage. Time 13 minutes.

Inverkeithing responded McMurchie slaloming his way past Brox players from just inside the Brox half with Page the defender who stopped him and cleared.

In 24 minutes from a ball in from Marshall Mason struck a shot which Watt took confidently.

Munro was disposessed in the following minute with the home side once again creating a shooting chance Wood’s effort taking a deflection and running through to Watt.

In the 33^rd minute the Swifts were thrown a lifeline Ramage pushed the ball out wide to Marshall whose cross hit Munro on the arm who was only yards away so the free kick awarded seemed a bit harsh. Marshall took the kick and MASON rose powerfully and headed the ball high into the net.

Another chance was presented to Mason two minutes later from a Brox error but this time he hit his effort high and wide to the right.

The Brox ended the first half on a high Heath went on a run from his own half playing a 1-2 with Brass and despite close attention from Paterson swung over a cross deep to the back post where R.Nimmo was arriving like a train and his hard and low cross left BRASS with the simple task of smashing the ball into the net.

In first half injury time Paterson was booked for a foul on Heath.

HALF TIME: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 1 – 3 Broxburn Athletic

Broxburn started off on the front foot in the 2^nd half Heath, Nimmo and Munro combining for the former to cut in from the right and curl a shot towards goal which Gibb saved easily.

Locke went on a run from just inside the Swifts half before being stopped Illegally by Deas. Heath took the free kick which he overhit and the ball went out.

In 49 minutes Brass controlled a high ball well and played wide to R.Nimmo who crossed but Deas does well to block for a corner. Nimmo and Heath worked a short corner routine with Heath picking out the unmarked Bremner who clipped a fine ball back into the peanlty area finding BRASS who headed the ball into the net. Time 50 minutes.

The Brox were rampant now and from another free flowing attacking move R.Nimmo brilliantly dispossed Marshall went on a run forward and clipped a ball over Binnie, Heath took the ball in his stride and sent the ball past Gibb into the left side of the net for Broxburn’s 5^th goal. Time 51 minutes.

It was almost 6 in 53 minutes Locke striking a shot which forced Gibb into a diving save to thwart the Brox skipper.

A minute later Reilly and Trialist 18 came on for Wood and Cumming.

On the hour Page went off for Broxburn Millar was the replacement.

In 61 minutes Broxburn cut through the home defence again Locke playing a great ball forward which  Heath challenged for and was clearly brought down but advantage was played as R.NIMMO was on hand to tap the ball in for the Brox’s 6^th goal.

From a Broxburn error substitute Reilly had a chance to shoot and curled in a shot which Watt saved comfortably.

Brass and Turner combined well on the right with the latter swinging in a deep cross which Heath won but the winger was off target this time.

Inverkeithing were still trying to come forward with the substitutes Reilly and Trialist 18 who got off a shot which Moyles blocked away for a corner.

McMurchie took the kick Mauchlan won the header which Watt had to look lively to save.

Slack play from the visitors allowed Reilly to play the ball to the back post where TRIALIST 18 was alone to apply the finish.

In the water break in 70 minutes Davidson and Thomson replaced Bremner and Turner. Inverkeithing replaced Paterson with Reid.

Heath was in scintillating form going on another run forward cut in from the right and firing in a shot, Gibb saved but BRASS was on hand to pick up the scraps and shoot into the net to complete his hat trick via the right hand post. Time 80 minutes.

In 82 minutes further Brox changes Downie and Wilson replaced the flying wingers R.Nimmo and Heath.

Inverkeithing to their credit continued to come forward Reilly playing the ball off Millar for a corner. From the kick the ball broke to Binnie whose shot took a deflection the referee indicating off a Broxburn player for another corner this time from the left. With the Brox defence sleeping the ball was played back with no challenge on McMurchie who swung a cross in where MASON headed down into the net with a suspicion from an offside position.

In injury time Mason was booked.

A sizzling Broxburn performance to match the late summer weather as the Brox go marching on and 3 points clear at the top of the table.

FULL TIME: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 3 – 7 Broxburn Athletic

Referee MR. K.Brown   Assistants  MR R. Bowie, Mr. D. Brogan

Attendance 150

Broxburn travelled to Beechwood park in Sauchie to protect their 100% record so far . They made one change to the starting eleven with Liam Campbell replacing Marcus Millar who dropped to the bench .

Good play at the start saw Marky Munro lay off to Nicholas Locke along the bye line but the captains ball into the box was cleared . Ben Davidson made a slack pass and his team mates stopped the hosts capitalising at the expense of a corner . When the corner came in a foul on both Watt and Dan Nimmo saw the game stopped with the big centre half having to replaced with Millar on 8 minutes . At the other end a Nick Locke free kick out left saw Clark parry the ball but it was his defender who cleared for a corner . On ten minutes a ball across the box from Munro broke out to Locke 25 yards out and Clark made a superb save to tip his effort over the bar .

On fifteen minutes the hosts were awarded a dubious penalty kick when a long ball through saw Kavanagh ready to shoot when Lewis Turner made a great tackle to rob him off the ball but the match official saw it differently and gave the spot kick . Daniel Smith took the kick but it crashed of the right hand post and when the ball came back in Watt was able to smother the effort . The hosts created a good opportunity on twenty minutes when Brian Morgan was set up but fired over the bar . Five minutes later good one two found Former Broxburn full back Ross Hutchison in on goal but he shot disappointingly wide and high .

The opener came on 29 minutes and it was the hosts who got it when a ball was cleared out the visitors defence and fell to DANIEL SMITH who’s shot took a vicious swerve putting it out of reach off the diving Watt . Sauchie should have done better with ten minutes of the half remaining when a Broxburn Attack broke down Sauchie went on the counter Attack and were man for man but chose the wrong option and Hutchison shot wide left .

Half Time Sauchie 1 Broxburn Ath 0

Sauchie came out the second half and were pressing for an early increase to the scoreline .

It was Broxburn who should have had an opportunity to get back in the game when Locke was brought down in the box the referee didn’t want to know  And Locke got booked once the game stopped for his protests . with 8 minutes of the half a long ball into the box found Mark Smith with time to bring it down and score but he would have been disappointed with his attempt that went wide . Two minutes later Broxburn had a free kick 20 yards out on the right the free kick was saved then the loose ball was saved again by Clark at expense of a corner .Calum Heath replaced Liam Campbell on 64 minutes .

A minute later a ball into the box found Ross Kavanagh alone in front of goals 12 yards out but Robert Watt dived at his feet to gather the ball before he got his shot away .

Ross Nimmo replaced Darren Downie on 75 minutes

With time running out and going into injury time Broxburn won a corner on the right . Ross Nimmo’s ball into the box was met by the head of GARY BRASS who hammered the ball home for an equaliser . A few minutes deeper into injury time the game could have been turned unexpectedly on its head when  Nick Locke was brought down in the box but Gary Brass attempt from the spot was saved and the Broxburn forwards couldn’t turn the loose ball into the net .

In the end a point away from home at a difficult venue we will take and move on . Not the best performance of the season but still unbeaten and we move on to next week’s Scottish Gas Scottish cup tie at Home to Lochee United at home with a 2-30pm kick off .

Referee Mr T. Ormiston  Assistants  Mr C. McFeat , Mr T. Waddell

Attendance  90

East Of Scotland Premier League: Luncarty v Broxburn Athletic 5 August 2023

Broxburn made their first ever trip to Brownlands Park on league business to face newly promoted Luncarty. The Brox were looking to keep their unbeaten start to the season going whereas the hosts were looking for their first points after 2 narrow defeats to Musselburgh and Hill Of Beath.

Broxburn made 2 changes from Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Musselburgh Watt replaced Donoghue inbetween the sticks and Campbell for D.Nimmo.

Luncarty made 2 changes to their starting line up Patton replaced Nowrotek in goals and Carlon came in for Sutherland.

The Brox came out of the traps firing, having kicked off they should have taken the lead in 50 seconds a Campbell long throw in on the left was head flicked on by Douglas, the ball fell for Brass who turned and shot over the bar.

Luncarty gave the ball away in midfield in the 2nd minute with the ball worked to Locke 20 yards out but the skipper fired his shot over the bar from 20 yards.

In a whirlwind start the Brox spurned another chance in the 4th minute Douglas played a ball to Munro on the right side of the penalty box the full back steadying himself but tried to be too deliberate with Patton making a good save.

Luncarty created a chance of their own in the 11th minute when Bremner lost possession in midfield the ball was played to Carlon whose shot was well saved by Watt with his feet and out for a corner. Brass headed clear.

A couple of minutes later and Munro played a great ball into the box which was well defended by Scarborough who conceded a corner. Turner took the corner deep to the back post where a goalmouth scramble ensued with Brass, Locke and Douglas all trying to get off shots but found the Luncarty defence standing firm.

Brass then tested Patton in the home goal who saved well at the expense of another corner. Nothing came from the corner kick.

In the 17th minute another sweeping Broxburn move saw Brass head flick the ball onto Douglas on the right who then played over a great ball to the front post where Locke rose his header beating the keeper but not the right hand post as his effort went agonisingly wide.

There was then an offball incident involving Yates and Campbell where the Brox player appeared to be caught with an elbow. Yates was booked.

In the 25th minute Page played a great long ball forward down the right to Munro who once again played over a ball right on the money which Brass won with his head but his effort was off target to the right.

Munro hit in a ball with his left foot in the next attack which Patton spilled but Walker was on hand to clear.
Campbell and Bremner combined to good effect down the left the former picking out Locke with a cross who curled a shot but again too high and over the bar.

Carlon was then booked for the hosts in 29 minutes. Turner tool the free kick from the right finding Brass whose effort was disappointingly well wide.

Campbell did well down the left playing in a ball to Brass who set up Locke but the target was again missed with his volley going wide left.

In 35 minutes Luncarty captain Dewar was booked.

From a ball swung in from the right Douglas was adjudged to have been fouled by Walker with the referee pointing to the spot. DOUGLAS took the spotkick which he dispatched into the net despite slipping on the wet surface with the home side claiming he had double hit the ball. Time 39 minutes.

Mackie was then booked for handball.

Locke then intercepted a pass in midfield and played an intelligent ball to Campbell whose cross found Brass who was to shoot over the bar again.

In first half injury time Brass won a corner on the left, Turner took the kick Millar planted his header firmly downwards with his effort being cleared from the goal line.

HALF TIME: Luncarty 0 – 1 Broxburn Athletic
Luncarty kicked off in the 2nd half Scarborough tried to burst through the Brox defence but Page took control of situation and shepherded the ball back to Watt.
Broxburn retaliated to good effect the ball played into Bremner in the penalty box where he his legs taken from him by a Scarborough challenge resulting in another penalty. DOUGLAS cooly dispatched the ball into the net for the second time. Time 46 minutes.
In the 53rd minute Campbell played over a great ball from the left Douglas won the ball but his header can’t beat Patton.
Then the home side were thrown a lifeline from a suspiciously offside position Woolley picked out a fine cross for DAVIES to finish from 6 yards at the back post past Watt.
Turner then lost the ball in midfield with Luncarty breaking quickly but Woolley this time can’t deliver a cross.
Douglas did well on the left in 59 minutes picking out Brass who left for the arriving Locke who struck the ball well but just over the bar.
In the 65th minute its almost three as Munro played over a pinpoint cross where Douglas struck a shot first time which Walker did brilliantly to block saving a certain goal. From the corner Turner found Millar again with the same result his header was cleared off the line.
The hosts were coming more into the game Davies getting clear on the right but Page did well to block his cross for a corner which Brass headed clear.
Scarborough then found his cross blocked for a corner by Page with Brass once again strong in the air to clear with his head.
In the 72nd minute Davidson did well in centre field playing the ball wide to Munro whose cross found Brass at the near post but he slid the ball wide of the post.
Carlon was replaced by Clos in 73 minutes.
Turner fouled Clos in a central area 25 yards out in 76 minutes. Davidson was booked for kicking the ball away.
Mackie took the free kick which forced Watt into a terrific diving save at the expense of a corner. The corner was deadly accurate with Davies flicking a header goalwards which Watt again had to save.
Luncarty were having their best spell now in 81 minutes Clos forcing Turner into conceding a corner. Yates took the kick, Brass headed clear the ball fell to Woolley who volleyed over the bar.
Watt was booked for time wasting in 84 minutes.
Wilson came on for Brass in 85 minutes.
The young winger was quickly into the action as he seemed to be clearly pushed over in the box but the referee waved away the penalty appeals.
From another neat Brox move Douglas played the ball to Davidson who slipped the ball to Bremner who rifled in a shot which Patton saved well to concede a corner. Turner took the kick which was partially cleared to Davidson whose attempt like many others on the afternoon went over the bar.
In 89 minutes Scarborough took a long throw from the left which was half cleared only as far as Davies whose shot trickled just wide of the left post.
FULL TIME: Luncarty 1 – 2 Broxburn Athletic

Referee Mr K.Brown     Assistants  Mr R. Alexander ,Mr S.Galloway

300 approx

East Of Scotland Premier League: Musselburgh Athletic v Broxburn Athletic 1 August 2023

The first away game of the new season took Broxburn down to East Lothian to face one of the favourites for promotion this season, Musselburgh Athletic.

Broxburn made 1 change from Saturday’s 2-1 win against Glenrothes Millar replaced Dryden.

The hosts had also got off to a winning start at the weekend a first half Jordan Smith goal being the deciding factor against newly promoted Luncarty. Musselburgh made 2 changes to their starting line up Myles and Nisbet replaced by L.Smith and O’Connor.

In the 3^rd minute Brass was fouled 30 yards out by O’Connor. Turner took the free kick but it was too close to keeper Laing who claimed the ball confidently.

The first shot of the game came on 7 minutes Hope took a throw in on the left, J.Smith controlled and worked a position to shoot low which Donoghue took at his near post.

Davidson and Millar combined neatly on the left with Millar getting in a cross which was too deep and went out of play.

In the 10^th minute L.Smith made a good break down the right got the bye line but his cutback was poor and nowhere near a blue shirt.

In a nice Musselburgh build up Renton found Hope on the left but the full backs cross was overhit and went out of play.

From a deep cross by O’Connor J.Smith just failed to get a telling touch on the ball at the back post.

In the 20^th minute a moment of controversy, Knox took a corner from the right Renton winning the initial header which Wilson got a head to at the back post, the ball falling to a Musselburgh player who appeared to miss the ball and fall too the ground with Page the nearest Broxburn player to challenge. The referee saw it as a foul and awarded the home side a penalty. STEVENSON took the kick sending Donoghue the wrong way and into the left hand corner of the net to put the home side 1 to the good. Time 22 minutes.

Davidson was booked for Broxburn.

Brass then played a poor ball to Turner who was dispossesed, the ball transferred wide to Khan who beat Munro but fired wide of the left hand post.

Broxburn tried to respond from a Turner corner Millar won a header but Laing watched carefully and tipped the ball over the bar. Turner took the following corner but this time Stevenson cleared.

In the 28^th minute Broxburn had a real chance to draw level, Brass pressured Wilson into a mistake and got into the penalty box at an angle on the left but the strikers shot was straight at Laing who saved.

Brass was again involved in the 34^th and 35^th his shots being blocked then just off target.

Douglas was next to get a chance beating the offside trap but under pressure from Wilson couldn’t get enough purchase on his effort to beat Laing.

The Brox went a bit closer in 40 minutes Millar laying the ball off to Bremner whose shot from 25 yards clipped the top of the bar.

Khan won a corner after good defensive work from D.Nimmo. From the corner L.Smith went down but this time the referee wasn’t impressed and nothing was awarded.

In 1^st half injury time brilliant play from Locke who played an incisive pass to Munro down the wing he got to the bye line put over a cross hard and low which Laing did well to gather diving to save.

HALF TIME: Musselburgh Athletic 1 – 0 Broxburn Athletic

Broxburn made a very positive start to the 2^nd half Turner taking a free kick which was headed clear then back to him and he hit a shot from 22 yards out which Laing beat away to his right, Davidson retrieved and his cross found Locke whose looping header beat Laing but hit the bar and went over.

The home side responded in 48 minutes Renton crossing from the right with Munro back heading the ball clear.

Turner was booked in 54 minutes.

A minute later and Khan dispossessed Munro and got off a good shot which was straight at Donoghue.

A poor clearance from D.Nimmo fell to Knox who curled his shot just wide of the left hand post.

Davidson sent Locke on a run down the left where he won a corner off Stevenson.

Before the corner could be taken Broxburn made 2 changes Downie and Heath coming on for Brass and Davidson. Time 64 minutes.

Turner took the corner from the left deep to the back post which Page just couldn’t control but did well to get any touch to the ball.

Then a real turning point in 69 minutes Todd was red carded for what was adjudged a two footed challenge on Munro 20 yards out.

Page took the free kick which he curled over the wall but hit a defender and out for a corner. Heath took the corner which was cleared by the home defence.

In 72 minutes J.Smith was booked for a foul on Heath.

A minute later ex Brox player Barker came on for J.Smith.

Heath then took the free kick from the left which DOUGLAS won with his head sending the ball looping over Laing and into the net to tie the game. Time 73 minutes.

Barker was booked before he had touched the ball!

Heath was having a big impact and once again he played in a great ball from the left Downie got to it laid the ball back which appeared to hit a Musselburgh player’s hand but despite Brox appeals nothing was given.

Trialist No 12 then came on for Musselburgh replacing L.Smith. Time 77 minutes.

In 81 minutes from a mis control of the ball by Stevenson, Heath fired in a great cross which DOUGLAS met first time with his shot beating Laing and into the net to complete the Brox comeback.

Musselburgh hit back with Khan going on a run down the left and winning a corner off D.Nimmo. The corner was won by the head of Wilson but the Brox defence cleared to relieve the pressure.

In 83 minutes Trialist No.24 replaced Hope.

D.Nimmo then took a free kick in 85 minutes from the half way line area a Musselburgh defender headed clear only as far as Turner who cracked a great shot just over the bar.

LOCKE was to go one step better in 87 minutes picking up the ball and advancing 30 yards from goal and unleashed an unstoppable shot which found the roof of the net past Laing to seal the win for the Brox.

Turner was replaced by Campbell in 88 minutes.

(photos Andrew MacPherson)

FULL TIME: Musselburgh Athletic 1– 3 Broxburn Athletic

Referee Mr L. Hogarth    Assistants Mr D. Dickson  , Mr S. Simpson