BROXBURN ATH V BLACKBURN UTD

Report

ATTENDANCE 220

East Of Scotland Premier League: Broxburn Athletic v Blackburn United – 6 August 2022

 

Derby day at the Albyn with Blackburn United as the visitors.

Broxburn made 1 change from Tuesday’s game against Musselburgh, Donaldson replacing a trialist.

Blackburn arrived having drawn last week at home to Linlithgow being pegged back in the 92^nd minute and fallen to a 3-2 to Inverkeithing in midweek.

Three minutes into the match great play down the left sent Craig Henderson away but his effort was matched by the Blackburn full back who got back to cut his cross out for a corner .

In 9 minutes Douglas made a nice run down the left but his cross was behind his fellow forwards.

The game was very scrappy with the strong breeze making it difficult for the teams to settle.

Blackburn made decent progress down the right but Heath’s cross wasn’t a good one going straight out.

Neat play from Henderson his pass finding Downie who turned to play a pass to the left where Orru had made a good run but the wind carried the ball just out of reach.

Broxburn did get their first shot on target in 19 minutes Orru played the ball to Jeffries 25 yards out but he doesn’t get enough power on his shot which goes straight through to Saunders in the visitors goal.

The home team were growing into the game in a sweeping move from left to right Downie fed the ball to Henderson but his shot was blocked.

In 25 minutes Sayers gets to the bye line his cross is cleared only as far as Greenhill who plays the ball into Downie’s feet in the penalty box but the strikers shot is blocked.

Two minutes later, Henderson played the ball into Jeffries from just outside the box but his curling shot is off target.

In 31 minutes Gillen is booked for a foul on Heath.

The first real chance of the game fell to Broxburn in 32 minutes Jeffries sliding a pass to Downie on the right, the striker can’t get his shot on target crashing the ball into the side netting.

The pressure begins to increase on the visitors Downie breaks down the left McLung does well to force him wide, his cross finds Douglas but the ball sits up and the striker fires well over.

In 38 minutes, Jeffries in centre field unintentionally handles the ball from a bounce of the ball, he plays the ball wide right to Gillen who slips the ball to HENDERSON who drills the ball into the net past Saunders from 20 yards.

The Brox have another great position in 41 minutes Jeffries has room in midfield and has a great chance to feed Henderson but he tries to be over elaborate with his pass and the chance looks to be gone till Blackburn fluff trying to clear the ball Henderson getting the ball but shooting over.

A hesitation by Donaldson in defence allows Hutton a sight of goal but he shoots over from the edge of the box.

Greenhill gets a shot on target in first half injury time but its straight at Saunders.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 0 Blackburn United

In 50 minutes Douglas is sent away by Orru with a great pass, the striker shows great strength and gets in a shot which Saunders has to save. From the corner Henderson’s corner eludes all bar D. Nimmo whose shot spirals over the bar.

In 55 minutes Thomas replaced Richards for Blackburn.

Sayers was booked.

In 59 minutes Sinclair replaces Greenhill.

In 64 minutes total calamity in the home defence, Donoghue plays a very short goal kick to D. Nimmo in the 6 yard box, Devine is alert and closes the centre half down and challenges as Nimmo tries to clear but it cannons off the striker and against the bar. The ball breaks back to DEVINE whose shot looks as though Donoghue will save to redeem the situation but it squirms from his grasp and over the line to give the visitors an unlikely leveller with their first shot on target.

Binnie replaced Downie in 68 minutes.

The sub nearly makes a quick impact forcing in a shot from the right which Saunders beats away for a corner. The Blackburn defence clear the corner.

In 75 minutes Heath was replaced by Meikle.

Henderson and Jeffries were once again prominent for Broxburn the winger beating Mildren but his cross was disappointing and collected by Saunders.

In 80 minutes Jeffries is booked for dissent. R. Nimmo then replaces Jeffries, Howe replaces Kane for the visitors and Gould for Hutton.

In 84 minutes the Brox should be back in front Binnie does great down the left and cuts the ball back to R.Nimmo who doesn’t catch his left foot shot correctly making it easier for Saunders to save.

In 87 minutes from a very poor Henderson pass Gillen is forced into a challenge gets it wrong earning a second yellow card followed by red.

Blackburn then had a great chance to win the game Meikle spun away from his marker but shot wide left of goal.

In injury time R.Nimmo played a great ball through to Douglas but Wilson saved the day for Blackburn with a great tackle.

Blackburn then spurned another opportunity from a 4 on 2 break they play it very poorly Meikle having a shot blocked and cleared to safety.

A poor game in truth which will hopefully be improved on at the end of the month in the preliminary round Scottish Cup tie. Broxburn face Kirkcaldy & Dysart in the East of Scotland Cup on Tuesday at the Albyn.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 1 Blackburn United

REFEREE MR A. SHEPHERD     ASSISTANT  MR k. BOYD   , MR R. SWINDELLS