League: East Premier League

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