BROXBURN ATH V PENICUIK ATH

Report

Attendance 195

Broxburn made three changes to the side that earned a hard-earned point last week at Hill of Beath. Changes enforced through suspension were Jordan Orru and Mark McConnell both serving a one match ban and Liam Gray dropping to the bench after retiring at half time last week. In comes David Greenhill, Shaun Harrison and Gordon Donaldson.

Greg Binnie was the first to try for goal in 3 minutes turning and shooting just wide left from edge of the box . A couple of minutes later Craig Newall made a good run down the right before slipping Gary Brass through his cut back from the bye line found Andrew Gillen but he shot poorly wide left as he rushed his shot.

At the other end Gregor McDonald was sent clean through but he shot over the bar. Broxburn created a opportunity in ten minutes but the ball wouldn’t fall kindly, and the chance was gone. On the Quarter hour mark Aaron Somerville made a good run before sending Alexander Chingwalu out on the left who’s cross into the box from the bye line was safely cut out by Josh Blair. Broxburn were awarded a corner on 19 minutes and the ball to the back post found the head of Harrison who in turn found Gary Brass who’s shot was blocked then saved by Robert Watt . The home side had a scare on 21 minutes when Aiden Walsh fired in a shot that Josh Blair in the home goal did well to stop and hold on to . Half way through the half good play down the left saw Binnie lay the ball off to Errol Douglas who’s effort sailed just over the bar from just outside the box. Good Penicuik pressure was thwarted by the home defence who were equal to it and cleared the danger on 27 minutes .

The opening goal came on 31 minutes and was a disaster for the visiting defence . A poor throw in put the full back under pressure and eventually robbed of the ball by Errol Douglas who got to the bye line before cuttig the ball to the back post where Binnie headed back into the path of ANDREW GILLEN  who hit the back of the net from the underside of the bar . Penicuik should have been on level terms four minutes later when Jack Furness was through one on one, but Blair saved well at the expense of a corner. With five minutes left Somerville should have scored but couldn’t control the ball in the box and it ran away from him and out for a bye Kick .

A scramble in the home box ended when Aiden Walsh struck the bar from 8 yards and Harrison cleared the ball away from the danger area. In the last minute of the half Scott Irving was booked for a reckless challenge on the halfway line.

Penicuik made a change at half time , bringing on Paul Thomson for Greg Page .

Penicuik forced a corner straight from the kick off that came to nothing . The second half was like the first end to end as both teams tried to cut out chances .

It was Broxburn who increased their lead on 53 minutes when good work down the right saw a great ball to the back post which found ERROL DOUGLAS who headed home before clashing with the back post in the process .He quickly recovered to continue with the game . Alexander Chingwalu was booked for a cynical foul on Binnie as he was about to break forward from half way .

Penicuik tried hard to change things bringing on Cameron Fraser for the injured captain Aaron Somerville on 62 minutes with Former Broxburn loan player Andrew Mair and Reece Hope coming on for Aiden Walsh and Alexander Chingwalu respectively on 68 minutes .

A free kick on 69 minutes from way out on the left went straight through into the arms of Blair in the hosts goal.

two minutes later a corner at the other end saw a Gordon Donaldson header from the left hand side go just past the right hand post . Craig Newall picked up a booking in the 72nd minute for delaying the restart of play .

A good move from the hosts ended when Stevie Clark fired just wide left of the target .

Penicuik sent in a good free kick from the left hand side but was too far in front of their strikers and went straight to Blair  who held on comfortably . They did get a lifeline back into the game after good play on the left after a poor clear out on the touch line was worked back inside to GREGOR MacDONALD who gave Blair no chance firing in from 20yards out despite the fingers of Blair getting a touch it went high into the net. With five minutes left Penicuik made the last of their substitutes when Fletcher Hendry replaced Jack Furness , Bradley Donaldson replaced Craig Newall at same time . Penicuik pressed the final five minutes with Broxburn’s defence throwing their bodies on the line as they held out for an overdue win .It was 6 years ago that the BURN last beat Penicuik but on this occasion, they deserved the points ,

The next two games are on the road in cup ties . Next Saturday we travel to Whitburn in the South Challenge cup and the following week we travel to Oakley United ,who won their first points of the season in a 3-1 win at Vale of Leithen , in the South Qualifying Cup both 2-30pm kick off’s .

REFEREE   MR. R. LEE   ASSISTANTS  MR. S. DOWNIE , MR. K. CHARLES