Auchinleck Talbot v Broxburn athletic

Report

Attendance 265

South Challenge Cup 4^th Round: Auchinleck Talbot v Broxburn Athletic – 4 February 2023

 The Brox headed for Beechwood Park for the second week in a row this time to East Ayrshire to face the might of Auchinleck Talbot.

Broxburn made 4 changes from the the side who lost narrowly at Sauchie, Sayers, G.Donaldson, Clark and Henderson replaced Wright, Harrison, R. Nimmo and Greenhill.

Auchinleck went into the game on a good run of form beating Petershill 2-0 the previous week. The hosts made 4 changes too, Wardrope, G.Wilson, Mason and Samson for A.Wilson, Boyle, Boylan and Shankland.

Both sides found it difficult in the opening stages with the wind which was in the hosts favour making any cohesive play difficult.

In 7 minutes Henderson slid an intelligent ball through to Brass which was well defended by McCracken to prevent the striker having a shooting opportunity.

Auchinleck broke forward down the left with the ball cleared as far as TAYLOR 25 yards from goal and he hit a great shot into the right hand corner past Blair. Time 8 minutes.

Two minutes later and an offside flag saved the Brox when Park got in on the left.

Neat play between G. Donaldson and Orru on the left saw the latter win a corner which was cleared.

In 14 minutes Park went off injured Boylan replaced him.

In 18 minutes nice passing play from Auchinleck set up Boylan for a shot from 25 yards which Blair saved comfortably.

In 21 minutes a long ball forward by B. Donaldson was well defended by Stafford who conceded a corner. Henderson took the kick which Leishman claimed comfortably.

Clark went off injured in 26 minutes Wright being the replacement.

On the half hour Stafford slipped the ball through to Boylan which was well defended by McConnell.

In 32 minutes G.Donaldson found Binnie on the left who got to the bye line his cut back was a good one into the penalty box but McCracken cleared with no red shirts on hand to profit.

Wardrope fired in a free kick from right which Brass defended well, the ball was cleared to Taylor who hit a fierce shot which Blair did well to tip wide. The home pressure remained on from the corner the ball fell to Mason 22 yards from goal but his shot was always heading wide left.

In 36 minutes Wright was adjudged to have fouled Mason just outside the penalty area, Mason took the kick himself but hit the Brox wall.

In 42 minutes Broxburn had a real clear sight of goal G.Donaldson sent Orru down the left his cross was a good one Brass headed the ball back to Henderson who hit a first time shot but was well over the bar with his effort.

The Brox then had Blair to thank for a fine save as Boylan whipped in a cross which Samson won with his head which the keeper did well at full stretch to claw away from the goal.

In first half injury McCracken was booked for a foul on Orru as he looked to to cut in from the left bye line. Henderson’s free kick didn’t clear the first defender.

HALF TIME: Auchinleck Talbot 1 – 0 Broxburn Athletic

The 2^nd half got off to the worst possible start in 46 minutes for the visitors with Wilson playing in a cross which McConnell only cleared as far as to MASON who played a 1-2 with Samson then drilling the ball low past Blair and into the net.

In 54 minutes Wardrope played a great ball to the right to Boylan whose cross was a good one which McConnell did well to clear.

The pressure continued to build and from a ball from the right MASON was once again on hand to finish with a first time shot at the back post. Time 55 minutes.

The home side were in full flow now and they cut through the Broxburn defence again in 58 minutes Wardrope sliding the perfect ball to SAMSON this time finishing off a great move sliding the ball under Blair from close range.

In 60 minutes Orru, Binnie and Henderson were replaced by R.Nimmo, Williamson and Downie.

For Auchinleck, G.Wilson and Mason came off with Smith and Healy going on. Time 63 minutes.

In 65 minutes Samson fed Boylan who played across but G.Donaldson did well to concede a corner. Broxburn cleared their lines from the corner.

Stafford then played the ball into Samson who made room for himself and cracked in a shot which was too high.

In 75 minutes Wright was booked followed by G.Donaldson two minutes later.

In 81 minutes Auchinleck went nap Samson did a great job on the right and played a fantastic cross into BOYLAN who couldn’t miss from close range Blair having no chance.

The home side were rampant now Armstrong played theball to R.SMITH having cut in from the left his first shot was saved by Blair but he couldn’t keep out the follow up. Time 83 minutes.

A clearance from Blair fell to SHANKLAND fully 40 yards out and he steadied himself and shot magnificently over Blair’s head to complete a miserable afternoon in Ayrshire. Time 85 minutes.

In 88 minutes in a rare Broxburn attack a Gray corner was claimed by Leishman.

FULL TIME: Auchinleck Talbot 7 – 0 Broxburn Athletic

REFEREE MR.C. GENTLES  ASSISTANTS  MR C LENNOX, MR. J. MOORE