Jeanfield Swifts v Broxburn Athletic

Report

East of Scotland Premier League – Jeanfield Swifts v Broxburn Athletic – 14/11/2020

Broxburn’s first away game since the opening day at Penicuik proved to be another tough away day. There were 4 changes from the side who lost to Tynecastle on Tuesday, Donaldson, Wright, Brass and Turnbull all starting in place of Redmond, Hopkinson, Beesley and Murray.

Jeanfield kicked off at the Riverside Stadium and went straight forward Dodd getting a cross in from the left which Wallace claimed confidently.

Broxburn were having to work hard to keep the eager home side at bay Dodd trying a shot from 25 yards which flew well over the bar.

McLeish and Fergus combined well in 6 minutes with Fergus volleying high over the bar.

The home side continued to dominate possession Scott beating Gillen on the left and sending in a cross which Wallace was forced to tip to safety.

In 10 minutes Broxburn had some play in the Jeanfield half Donaldson and Cowley playing passes but the final ball was too far ahead of Kelly.

As Broxburn tried to play out from the back Wright gave the ball away but recovered to block Smith’s shot for a corner.

Jeanfield forced a couple of corners in quick succession well defended by Wallace , Nicol and Kelly.

In 16 minutes Broxburn failed to close Jeanfield down in their build up, Scott getting off a shot which Wallace dived to save.

Then against the run of play Broxburn almost went ahead, Donaldson working the ball to Brass, who passed to Nicol who picked out Ross who just curled a shot wide.

The visitors went close again in 19 minutes a Gillen cross from a Cowley free kick was headed wide by Kelly.

Broxburn then forced a corner which Ross and Turnbull played short, Ross’s cross was overhit but Wright retrieved and played a great ball to the back post which Brass headed down on target which Mitchell did well to save.

Jeanfield then re-asserted themselves captain Muirhead heading over from a corner.

In 28 minutes the home side who had had more of the ball eventually made it count when Dodd went past Nicol FERGUS got his head to his cross at the back post and Wallace couldn’t keep the ball out of the net to put Jeanfield ahead.

They were almost further ahead in 33 minutes Dodd forcing Wallace into a save. Simpson was next to trouble Wallace who did well to save his shot it rebounded back out to Dolzanski but fortuanately broke back to Wallace.

The second home goal was only delayed to 37 minutes Scott Smith’s corner was met by a McLEISH header at the front post with no one in red reacting at all, the ball was in the visitors net.

As if things couldn’t get any worse Kelly had won a free kick when he reacted to one of the Jeanfield players and shown a straight red card.

Jeanfield smelt blood and could have gone further ahead but for Wallace and a magnificent clearance from Wright off his own line.

To complete the visitors misery Ross was booked just before half time.

Half Time: Jeanfield Swifts 2– 0 Broxburn Athletic

Broxburn re-grouped at half time and made an instant impact after the break Ross playing a ball to DONALDSON on the left and he unleashed a great shot which flew into the right hand corner of the net giving Mitchell no chance in the home goal.

This seemed to unsettle the home defence and in 54 minutes a fantastic run from Turnbull beating 3 Jeanfield defenders ended with a mistimed challenge to bring him down with the Broxburn players and bench screaming for a penalty, the referee thought differently and gave a free kick outside the box.

On the hour Ross went close for Broxburn curling a shot just over.

In 63 minutes Dodd finished off a good passing move but his shot was wide to the left.

Broxburn were causing problems for Jeanfield down the left side Brass got in a good cross from which Turnbull got in a shot which was blocked by the desperate home defence.

The game was now going end to end Dodd once again getting a good strike on goal which hit the post.

Broxburn went straight down the field Ross getting past both defender and goalkeeper 25 yards out but was forced left to do so, his cross being blocked for a corner.

Jeanfield saw Dodd once again forcing Wallace into another save before they made 2 changes McLaren and Mark Smith replacing McLeish and Simpson.

In 71 minutes Turnbull was booked.

McLeish went close for Jeanfield firing just wide in what was now a very open game.

Richards replaced Turnbull for Broxburn in 76 minutes.

Wallace was forced into action again a full diving save to repel Scott’s shot.

But he could nothing to stop substitute CONNOR MCLAREN’S shot into the roof of the net following a great passing move in 79 minutes.

Broxburn tried to hit back Ross crossed from a corner Wright headed over the bar.

Both sides made changes: Regan McLaren and Louden on for McLeish and Dodd for the home side. Binnie for Ross for Broxburn

In 88 minutes 2 of the substitutes combined for Jeanfield Connor McLaren finding Regan McLaren who shot straight at Wallace.

Jeanfield made their final change MacKenzie replacing Scott Smith.

Chris Scott was also booked for Jeanfield.

Another tough day at the office for Broxburn against an excellent Jeanfield side. Broxburn did contribute to their own downfall with 2 poor goals conceded in the first half and the sending off.

Full Time: Jeanfield Swifts 3– 1 Broxburn Athletic

Teams:

Broxburn Athletic: Wallace (c); Murray, Donaldson, Wright, Grant, Cowley, Nicol, Turnbull; Brass, Kelly, Ross

Subs: Donoghue (Unused), Redmond (unused), Binnie, Murray (unused), Ireland, Richards, Beesley

Jeanfield Swifts: Mitchell; Whitehead (c), Dolzanski, Stewart, F. Smith, McLeish, Simpson, Fergus, Dodd, Scott, S. Smith

Subs: Reid (unused), McLaren, MacKenzie, Louden, Ramsay (unused), M.Smith, R. McLaren