Venue: Away

ATTENDANCE 170

East Of Scotland Premier League: Haddington Athletic v Broxburn Athletic – 1 November 2022

Broxburn headed away once again to newly promoted Haddington Athletic following Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Crossgates. There were 3 changes for the visitors G.Donaldson, Newall and Jeffries for Orru, Clark and Binnie.

Haddington have made a decent start in the Premier League coming into the game on the back of a 2-1 win against Oakley United at the weekend.

In the 4^th minute the first chance of the game fell to the Brox McConnell played a nice pass to G.Donaldson who advanced down the wing and crossed which Jeffries got to and his shot was blocked breaking to Brass who suffered the same fate then Newall got in a clear shot which went just wide of the left hand post.

Haddington knocked the ball about well in 6 minutes McGarry swinging in a cross from the right finding King on the left who smacked a great shot goalwards which Blair saved at his near post.

In a bright start to the game Broxburn went even closer in 7 minutes G.Donaldson again being given lots of room on the left he fired over another cross which Brass got to but his shot was just off target when well placed.

Jeffries than made an error in midfield Watson played the ball forward to ex Brox loan player Tait who fed McGarry on the right whose shot was blocked by G.Donaldson.

Haddington’s first clear sight of goal came in the following minute McGarry picking out Tait with a pass but the striker hurried his shot which went well over the bar.

From a freekick on the left in 18 minutes King played in a good ball McGarry won the ball in the air but can’t direct on target.

A nice move from the visitors in 21 minutes saw B.Donaldson send G.Donaldson down the left he slipped the ball back to McConnell who picked out an unmarked Greenhill who fired his shot well off target.

The Brox were having decent possession down both wings Newall this time on the right played in a good cross Brass won the header but he directed his effort straight to Cornet.

Good chasing down by Douglas on the half hour forced keeper Cornet into a mistake Jeffries collected the ball and was fouled 22 yards from goal. The same player took the free kick but the shot was well over the bar.

In 35 minutes G.Donaldson and Jeffries combined and fashioned a crossing opportunity with the ball into the box a good one which King hacked away for a corner. Greenhill took the corner to the back post where HARRISON headed down and into the net past Cornet.

McConnell was almost clean through in the following minute but the pass to him was overhit.

Then the Brox dodged 2 bullets in an incredible couple of minutes. Sayers misjudged a long ball and his attempted headed back pass only sent Watson clear Blair came out from his goal to meet him and dived, Watson went over him with Blair on the ground. The referee and lineman saw nothing amiss and allowed play to continue. The ball was scrambled clear but broke to Williams who hit an amazing curling shot which looked a goal all ends up but cracked off the inside of the left post and bounced out to safety.

From another Greenhill corner in 44 minutes G.Donaldson won a header at back post but his effort was straight at Cornet.

Right on half time another dangerous corner from Greenhill saw Harrison win another header but this time the captain couldn’t get his effort on target.

HALF TIME: Haddington Athletic 0-1 Broxburn Athletic

Sinclair replaced Jeffries at half time.

The substitute made an immediate impact but not in a good way as played a ball back which sent Tait away, great defending from B.Donaldson sent him wide and the danger was averted.

The home side had made a strong start to the 2^nd half King played a cross field pass to Auriemma who struck his shot well forcing Blair into a brilliant diving save.

The home side were having their best spell of the game having sustained possession in the visitors half who weren’t helping themselves by failing to clear their lines.

Tait went off to be replaced by Hill in 57 minutes.

Sinclair played a neat pass to Douglas but L.McGarry tackled him well.

Just passed the hour King slung over a great ball but the Brox stood firm and cleared.

In 66 minutes from a Greenhill corner B. Donaldson retrieved after a headed clearance and got the ball back out to Greenhill who was allowed to move toward goal on the right and he fired in a strong shot which Cornet was the equal of.

The home pressure continued Auriemma beat Sayers and cut back to edge of the box on the left and slid the ball to King who drilled his shot wide.

In 68 minutes Binnie replaced Douglas.

In 72 minutes the home side levelled Auriemma was allowed to run at the defence , he slipped the ball to HILL who turned and shot low into the left corner of the net.

Against the run of play in 75 minutes a defensive error by King and L.McGarry allowed BINNIE an opportunity which he took in some style chipping over the advancing Cornet and into the net.

In 78 minutes Auriemma cut in from the left and let fly with a great shot which Blair saved and parried and recovered well before Hill could get to the ball.

Binnie went close again for Broxburn in 79 minutes hitting a great curling shot which just cleared the bar hitting the back stanchion.

In 81 minutes D. Tait replaced Watson. The Brox made a change in 84 minutes the injured G.Donaldson having to go off with Downie the replacement.

Injury time saw Haddington lay siege to the Brox goal Hill and McGarry combining but the former’s shot was blazed well over the bar.

In the next attack Hill was adjudged to have been brought down in the box by Sayers with a penalty awarded. Hill took the penalty but Blair dived to his left and brilliantly saved the rebound falling to substitute D.Tait but once again the young keeper saved the day.

In the melee Brass had been red carded presumably for foul and abusive language.

5 minutes into added time the home side forced the ball into the net but Blair was adjudged to have been fouled and the Brox survived!

FULL TIME: Haddington Athletic 1-2 Broxburn Athletic

 REFEREE MR . B. FALCONER ASSISTANTS MR. D. DICKSON , MR R. KAY

Attendance 380

East Of Scotland Premier League: Linlithgow Rose v Broxburn Athletic – 24 September 2022

Broxburn travelled up to Linlithgow Rose for a West Lothian derby in glorious sunshine at Prestonfield.
There were 4 changes to Broxburn’s starting XI from last week’s disappointing Scottish Cup penalty exit against Dunipace, Sayers, Clark, McConnell and Jeffries replacing Gillen, R.Nimmo, Greenhill and Binnie.
Linlithgow also made 4 changes from their late win against Berwick Rangers last week, Allison, Docherty, McKenzie and Davidson coming in for Skinner, Heaver, McPherson and Bremner.
The hosts started positively in the first minute Davidson playing a long ball down the right which McKenzie collected and passed inside to Stowe whose shot was wide and high.
After Donaldson was adjudged to have clipped Stowe in 5 minutes, from the free kick played short to Davidson, Stowe’s shot was blocked.
Broxburn were struggling to get any meaningful possession in the Linlithgow’s half and from a cross from left back Thomson, Sneddon was allowed a free header which he glanced just wide.
In 10 minutes Broxburn did find themselves in decent position on the left Jeffries firing over a cross which was too strong for Newall at the back post.
Then disaster struck on 12 minutes Donaldson touched the ball back to keeper Blair under pressure from Stowe, unfortunately the young keeper mis-controlled the ball allowing STOWE to take the ball off him and knock into an empty net.
The home side continued to press and from another long ball down the right Stowe cut inside and his shot was comfortably saved by Blair at his left hand post.
In 16 minutes after D.Nimmo fouled Stowe on the right touchline, his free kick was played to the back post where Sneddon won the header which just went wide.
The home side continued to press three minutes later Orru lost the ball allowing Stowe a shot which was blocked the rebound falling to Docherty who struck his shot well which Blair was the equal of.
The slick passing and moving from Linlithgow continued to cause problems with Thomson played through with Blair appearing to do well to dive at his feet to save, the referee allowed play to continue and then incredibly the standside linesman flagged for a penalty which the referee duly gave! Blair was booked for his challenge on Thomson. STOWE shot to the bottom left corner with Blair getting a hand on his shot but unable to keep the ball out of the net. Time 23 minutes.
Sneddon who had received attention a few minutes earlier needed to be replaced by Cunningham in 31 minutes.
In 35 minutes Broxburn registered their first shot after Orru was fouled 35 yards out. Henderson took the free kick but didn’t catch it right and it ran easily through to keeper Binnie.
Linlithgow continued to create opportunities McKenzie moving inside and passing to Docherty who shot over the bar.
In 41 minutes more good play down the right between Stowe and McKenzie saw the home No11 cut back to the edge of the box but this time no maroon shirt was in attendance.
HALF TIME: Linlithgow Rose 2 – 0 Broxburn Athletic
In 47 minutes McConnell chased down a long ball with Webb and keeper Binnie with the latter doing enough to avert any danger.
McConnell was booked in the following minute for a foul on Allan.
Thomson won a corner off Henderson on the left. Davidson’s corner eluded Newall at the back post and finding CUNNINGHAM who headed down and into the net. Time 51 minutes.
Brass was working tirelessly upfront for Broxburn and he did well to create space for a cross from the right which he drove across the goal but Binnie did well to smother.
From a Brox error in midfield Allan advanced and fired a shot only just over the bar.
In 57 minutes Allan and McMullan were replaced by Ogilvie and Bremner.
On the hour from a corner from the right this time from Stowe, CUNNINGHAM was once again left to head home to make it 4-0.
In 62 minutes Sinclair replaced Newall.
Another double substitution for the home side saw Stowe and Docherty withdrawn for Heaver and Baxter. Time 64 minutes.
In 66 minutes, there was a challenge between Gillen and Baxter on the right touchline which resulted in the Linlithgow player picking up an injury from which he couldn’t continue reducing the hosts to 10 men as all substitutes had been made.
Clark was booked for Broxburn in 69 minutes. Followed by Brass and Webb 2 minutes later.
In 77 minutes a nice passing move plays in Cunningham who appeared to be brought down but no penalty resulted. Gray replaced Henderson for Broxburn.
The substitute nearly made a scoring impact combining with Brass and cracking a well hit shot on target which Binnie saved.
Linlithgow continued to make chances Davidson hitting a great shot which Blair tipped over the bar. In 81 minutes McKenzie tried to chip Blair but was denied by the keeper.
In 89 minutes a late consolation for Broxburn, D.Nimmo playing a long ball forward which was well collected by BRASS who shielded the ball well showed good strength before firing the ball into the bottom left hand corner past Binnie.
Cunningham was denied his hat trick in injury time seeing his shot clatter off the bar and cleared.
FULL TIME: Linlithgow Rose 4 – 1 Broxburn Athletic

Referee Mr R. Lee    Assistants Mr B. White , Mr S. Robertson

ATTENDANCE 100

The early forages came from the visitors with a first minute long ball was deemed offside against the Broxburn forwards then a couple of minutes later after good play down the left Craig Henderson saw his cross into the box cleared by the home defence . The opening goal came after more good play down the right where a good ball into the box was met by GARY BRASS at full stretch to turn a diving header into the net.

(Photo’s courtesy of Andrew McPherson)

Gary Brass first goal         Greg Binnie enjoying his contribution         Brass congratulated by Nimmo

Ross Nimmo made a good run into the opposition box but saw his effort thwarted . Brass was caught just offside again a minute later as the visitors pressed for more goals . On 28 minutes  a free kick in from the right was headed out as far as Ross Nimmo who’s shot was turned behind for a corner. On the half hour mark good play down the right saw an inviting ball played into the box by Innes Easton for the hosts but it was over hit and went harmlessly for a bye kick . A little later Jack Cowan fired in a shot from the edge of the box but the sting was taken off the shot by the Broxburn defence and Trialist in goals gathered safely .  A corner in from the left from Nimmo was met unchallenged by Steven Clark who’s powerful header went just over the bar . In the last minute of the half Clark shaved the bar with a shot that hit the top of the bar and out for a bye kick .

Broxburn took the game to Oakley in the second half and Jordan Orru saw a good run and cross cut out for a corner in the early minutes of the half . With fifty minutes gone good football produced an opportunity when Nimmo passed to Clark who’s shot came off Brass and went for a bye kick  .Broxburn were dominating the game and Andrew Gillen sent a long ball out of defence to Brass who saw his shot go just wide right of the target . Craig Newall saw a shot after a good run forward crash off the bar from 30 yards out and the defender cleared the ball for a throw in . Oakley had a rare opportunity on 62 minutes when good play and ball from the left hand side was cleared positively by Jack Sayers . At the other end half way through the half good combination play between Ross Nimmo and Gary Brass saw Nimmo fire an effort just wide left of target . Greg Binnie replaced Craig Henderson a minute later .  Mark Mooney thought his shot was going to equalise but Trialist saved well to deny the striker . With 75 minutes on the clock a corner in the hosts goals was cleared of the line from a Gillen Header . The second goal came two minutes later with GARY BRASS showing strength to out muscle the home defence before coolly slotting past Brett Young in the host goal . Binnie saw a shot saved with ten minutes remaining. Only a couple of minutes later with Broxburn in full flight Greg Binnie won the ball on the left and ran down to the byeline before squaring across to GARY BRASS at the back post to score the easiest of his hat trick today . The same two players made it four 2 minutes later with Gary Brass getting away from his marker on the right and crossed across the six yard box to the in running GREG BINNIE for a mirror image goal similar to the third  . With time running out deep into injury time the hosts got a consolation through a penalty award after Jordan Orru miss timed his defensive tackle  and STEPHEN DAY scored in off the left post .

A good three points with the injury strewn squad stepping up to the mark  and giving the club a massive lift prior to next week’s Scottish Cup tie at home to Blackburn United

REFEREE MR KYLE HALL   ASSISTANTS  MR B.McALPINE , MR D. BROGAN

ATTENDANCE 170

East Of Scotland Premier League: Jeanfield Swifts v Broxburn Athletic – 13 August 2022

Broxburn travelled up to Perth to take on league leaders Jeanfield Swifts at a sun soaked Riverside Stadium. The Brox had 7 changes in the starting line up Sinclair, Donaldson, Sayers, Greenhill, Henderson, Clark and Jeffries for Newall, D.Nimmo, Douglas, Gillen, Churchill, Binnie and Gray.
Bizarrely there were 2 injuries in the warm up 1 for each team. Binnie having to be replaced by Ross Nimmo and Reid starting in place of Fergus for the hosts.
Jeanfield made a positive start in 3 minutes Reid having a good run down the right playing the ball to Scott who played the ball inside to Stewart who shot wide of the left post.
Broxburn responded in 5 minutes Orru playing a great cross field ball to Nimmo who beat his man but his cross was behind Brass.
Jeanfield made good ground down the left but Smith’s cross was a poor one.
Hesitation in the visitors defence in 8 minutes gave Reid a great chance but he dragged his shot well wide to the right.
The left side was proving a good area of attack for the home side McLaren beat Sinclair with his cut back finding McLeish whose shot was blocked by Sayers.
In 12 minutes Broxburn were within a whisker of taking the lead, Henderson from a central position passed to Clark on the right and he played in a brilliant cross which Brass won with his head his header just went past the left hand post.
The home side played a long ball down field which Sinclair misjudged but McLaren’s cross had no takers in stripes.
Broxburn were keeping possession well and breaking to good effect Nimmo sending Henderson through but the winger shot well over.
Nimmo’s persistence saw him win the ball on the right in 17 minutes with his cross right on the money causing confusion between Whitehead and keeper Townsley but no one in red was on hand to profit.
Long balls were finding out Broxburn’s makeshift defence McLaren getting in the clear but he could only lob to Donoghue.
In 23 minutes Reid was booked.
In 27 minutes Nimmo mis controlled the ball it breaking to Smith but his shot was straight at Donoghue.
A glorious chance for the Brox to take the lead in 31 minutes Jeffries plays a neat pass to Henderson who slides a great ball to Brass down the right the striker is clear and one on one but he strikes his shot well but too straight at Townsley.
Jeffries was booked for the Brox.
Broxburn were having their best spell now Jeffries and Henderson linking well again with the winger making a good run down the right, his cross was accurate and fortuanately for the home side clips off Reid which was just enough to take the ball away from the late arriving Jeffries at the back post.
In 38 minutes it takes a brilliant save from Townsley to stop a cracking drive from Nimmo after Orru had played a great through ball to him. From the corner there were claims for a penalty for handball as Clark wins the ball with his head but the referee is unmoved.
In 42 minutes Smith combines well with McLaren but his shot is well over the bar.
HALF TIME: Jeanfield Swifts 0 – 0 Broxburn Athletic
In 47 minutes Jeanfield won a corner Smith takes but Brass heads clear well for Broxburn.
Brass is fouled by Sweeney just outside the penalty box to the right, Henderson takes the free kick but his cross disappointingly doesn’t beat the first man.
In 58 minutes a mistake from Sinclair allows McLaren some room Sayers does well to block his cross the ball breaking back to McLaren but he fires well wide of the right hand post.
On the hour F.Smith’s corner is swung in well from the left and hits the right hand post.
A minute later and Henderson gets in a shot with his left foot which he doesn’t catch at all well and it trundles past the left hand post.
The second half was noticeably being played at a slower pace than the first given the hot conditions.
Downie replaced Nimmo in 70 minutes and Reid off with Robertson on 2 minutes later for Jeanfield.
Greenhill was booked in 73 minutes for pulling back McLeish.
In 79 minutes Broxburn broke forward Brass beating 2 defenders before being fouled. Mollison was booked.
Henderson’s free kick was well struck but straight at Townsley.
In 80 minutes disaster strikes the visitors, from a long ball Sinclair is pressured by Robertson, instead of knocking the ball out of play he tries to shepherd the ball out but is tackled and loses the ball. Robertson’s cross is a low one but straight at Donoghue from the left, the keeper fumbles the ball on the ground straight to McLEISH who fires the ball into the right hand corner of the net.
In 82 minutes Donaldson is adjudged to have handled the ball just outside the penalty box F. Smith takes with Donoghue pulling off a good save to tip round the post.
Churchill came on for Clark in 85 minutes.
In a sweeping move on 87 minutes down the right Scott’s cross is mishit by McLeish but McLAREN is on hand at the back post to fire in a second home goal.
Stewart is booked as is Henderson.
In 90 minutes Struthers replaces McLeish.
A real sickener of a defeat with the 2 late goals, after a real gutsy performance from a makeshift Broxburn side, deserving of some reward. The team continue on their travels to Fife next week at Oakley United.
FULL TIME: Jeanfield Swifts 2 – 0 Broxburn Athletic

REFEREE  MR T. ORMISTON   ASSISTANTS  MR G.LENNIE ,  MR k.LAIRD