League: East Premier League

ATTENDANCE 134

East Of Scotland Premier League: Broxburn Athletic v Vale Of Leithen – 18 February 2023

 Broxburn welcomed bottom of the table Vale of Leithen to the Albyn for a vital league game following 3 successive defeats.

Broxburn showed 4 changes from last weeks 4-1 reverse to Tynecastle. Donoghue in goal for Blair and Douglas, Clark and Henderson for Newall, Jeffries and R.Nimmo.

Its been a tough season for Vale of Leithen although they came into the game having pushed Haddington close last week losing 2-0 but the second goal had come late in the game.

On a dreich day at the Albyn Gillen played the ball to Brass on the right with his cross being defended well at concession of a corner. Orru took the kick but a visiting defender cleared.

In the 5^th minute Wright played a long ball forward searching out Binnie but Burt in the Vale of Leithen goal came out well to claim before the striker could get to the ball.

The visitors showed they weren’t here just to make up the numbers Deya breaking forward and curling a shot from 22 yards straight to Donoghue.

In 7 minutes Bremner played a good ball to Henderson whose cross found Binnie with his back to goal, the striker fashioning a shot but straight to Burt.

Then the early goal Broxburn craved duly arrived in 7 minutes Bremner went on a fantastic run down the left leaving defenders in his wake and finding Henderson who clipped the ball into Brass who laid the ball off to BINNIE who hit the ball into the right hand corner of the net.

In 11 minutes Gillen was again prominent on the attack down the right his cross blocked for corner by Barclay. Orru took the kick playing deep to the back post but Brass couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Two minutes later and Vale of Leithen had a good chance Mitchell firing in a great cross Deya meeting it on the volley but straight at Donoghue.

Broxburn were dangerous down the right getting in again with Brass cutting the ball back to the edge of the area where ORRU was arriving and he cracked an unsaveable shot with the outside of his left boot which flew high into the roof of the net. Time 15 minutes.

The visitors were really struggling to contain Broxburn on the right Brass again provider this time for Douglas who headed over with the goal at his mercy.

In 25 minutes Burt came out of his area to clear the ball but sclaffed it behind himself Wilson beating Douglas to the ball who was booked for his challenge on the defender.

Burt was unfortuanately not able to continue Beveridge replaced him.

Binnie picked up the ball on the left and cut infield playing the ball to GILLEN on the right whose cross sailed over the head of Beveridge and into the net. Time 32 minutes

It was almost 4 a couple of minutes later Gillen crossing but from close range Douglas couldn’t get a touch on the ball.

Pringle was booked in 38 minutes. Followed by Hogg in 40 minutes.

In 41 minutes DOUGLAS picked up the ball on the left beat a defender and cracked a shot with his left foot which went in to the right corner of the net.

In a rare foray forward Mitchell set up Hogg but his shot was well over the bar.

The game was over as a contest in first half injury time Binnie playing in a ball from the right which Wilson miscontrolled into his own net.

HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 5 – 0 Vale Of Leithen

The visitors made 3 changes at half time Woodcock, Tickle and McGrath replaced Love, Pringle and Wilson.

Hogg tried his luck from 40 yards but his effort cleared the bar.

Barclay was booked for a foul on Orru in 51 minutes . Henderson took the free kick but it want high over the bar.

It was a similar story in 57 minutes Mitchell being booked for a foul on Orru. Bremner took the kick but his effort also cleared the bar.

In the 59th minute a great piece of play from Brass dispossessing a defender and drove into the box where unselfishly he passed the ball to BINNIE who hit the ball low into the net.

Downie also replaced Douglas in 59 minutes.

The right hand side continued to be a profitable way to goal Gillen crossing for Brass whose header drifted just wide of the left hand post.

In 64 minutes Gray replaced Clark.

It was seventh heaven for the Brox in 65 minutes Binnie laying the ball off to ORRU on the left who crashed a great shot into the net.

Deya was then replaced by Bryce for Vale of Leithen. Time 67 minutes.

Henderson then broke down the right his cross being a good one with Binnie getting a shot off but Beveridge saved.

In 71 minutes Jeffries replaced Henderson.

From a low shot Beveridge parried the ball Binnie was first to the rebound and was only denied his hat trick by a goal line clearance.

Broxburn then had a slack few minutes Wright and Bremner making mistakes allowing Bryce and Woodcock 1 on 1 chances which were both wasted with shots flying high over the home bar.

Broxburn recovered and Bremner played a great ball to Orru down the left the full back’s pin point cross found BINNIE who side footed into the net for his hat trick.

The striker then had to go off injured leaving the home side to play the game out with 10 men.

Masson was booked in 84 minutes.

Jeffries then played in a great ball which Bremner got his head to which was saved by Beveridge.

Bremner then played in Brass in 89 minutes but his curling effort just went past the left hand post.

FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 8 – 0 Vale Of Leithen

 REFEREE MR. A. STRANG    ASSISTANTS MR C. DOYLE ,MR C. McFEAT