Pre – Season Friendly: Broxburn Athletic v Tranent Juniors 4 July 2023
Attendance 200
Broxburn welcomed Tranent for the first of the 2023/24 pre season friendlies at the Albyn. Four of the clubs new signings made their Brox debuts from the start Bob Watt in goals, Greg Page, Kai Wilson and Lewis Turner.
Tranent had a great first season in the Lowland league and new manager Max Christie brought a strong squad with him for his sides first pre-season warm up game.
In the 2nd minute Walsh went for a run down the left matched by Sayers who conceded a corner. Home keeper Watt collected the corner kick confidently.
Tranent dominated the ball in the early stages passing it around well making it difficult for the Brox to build any possession.
Walsh was prominent again for the visitors in 10 minutes hitting a great crossfield ball which Broxburn’s trialist No. 2 cut out well and headed back to Watt.
In the 11th minute Gray tried to find Heath who took a heavy touch and lost possession. The same combination tried again a minute later but Gray’s pass was too heavy and ran through to Jack.
Broxburn lost possession 30 yards out in 13 minutes Walsh playing a neat pass to Maughan whose shot took a deflection and just went wide. Once again Watt claimed the corner kick confidently.
In 14 minutes Broxburn got a foothold in the visitors half Douglas head flicked the ball on to Heath who’s cross was cleared by Bauld for a throw. From the throw Sayers played the ball inside to GRAY whose sheer persistence paid off when he rode a couple of challenges and fired the ball past Jack into the right corner of the net to give the Brox the lead.
Walsh was fouled on the left wing with Irvine taking the resulting free kick, but Page headed the cross clear powerfully.
Irvine then did well in 22 minutes creating a shooting chance 20 yards out but his effort was straight at Watt.
The left side was where the visitors looked their most dangerous and it struck gold for them in 24 minutes WATSON beat Sayers all ends up advanced into the penalty box and curled a great shot past Watt and off the inside of the right post and into the net to tie the score.
Tranent’s passing was a joy to watch at times McIntyre and Watson combining well down the left with the former’s cross headed out for a corner by D.Nimmo.
In the 35th minute Brett’s cross from the right saw a clash between Maughan and Watt as they both went for the ball which thankfully both emerged from fit to continue.
Four minutes later Douglas sent Heath on a run down the right, his cross was a good one which Horne got to and conceded a corner. Gray took the kick, but the visitors cleared.
In 44 minutes, Walsh fed Murphy who beat 2 Broxburn players before firing just wide of the left hand post.
HALF TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 1 Tranent Juniors
Tranent made changes at half time Miller, Ross and Jones replaced Maughan, Higginbottom and Walsh.
Watson was looking lively down the left and drove over a great cross in 48 minutes but none of his team mates could get within touch distance.
Gray played a great through ball to Douglas, but he was flagged offside.
The Broxburn trialist fouled Miller around 22 yards from the goal right of centre. JONES took the free kick with his left foot curling his shot over Watt and into the top left hand corner of the net. Time 51 minutes.
In the 54th minute Brett moved infield and slipped the ball to ex Brox player Ross but he sclaffed his effort and the chance was lost.
Watson and McIntyre worked a great opportunity down the left wing the former’s cross being on the money but no one in pink could take advantage.
In 56 minutes, a great home passing move saw Douglas feed Heath on right who slid a great pass back to Douglas whose shot was well smothered by Jack. The ball came back in from the right with the Brox having 3 efforts blocked one off the line by Horne with his head.
In the following minute both teams made changes. Campbell, Miller and Downie replaced Sayers, Heath and Douglas for Broxburn.
Walker and Greig replaced Brett and Irvine for Tranent.
Turner was booked for a foul on Jones in 59 minutes.
Gray was fouled around 22 yards out in a central area but his free kick was always wide right.
In 67 minutes, Watson went off Faulds coming on for the visitors.
McConnell came on for Turner in the 69th minute.
In the 72nd minute from a corner on the right Jones corner was headed in by BAULD with the Brox defence motionless.
From another corner in the 85th minute taken by Miller the ball went to the back post with Walker screwing the ball high in the air and over the bar.
In the following minute the Broxburn trialist No.2 played a great long ball forward which Downie couldn’t quite get under control to get in a shot.
The trialist did well again in 89 minutes playing in a deep cross to the back post which Campbell did well to get a touch to but couldn’t direct goal wards.
FULL TIME: Broxburn Athletic 1 – 3 Tranent Juniors
Referee Mr. C. Stirling Assistants Mr. S. Robertson , Mr. J. Gardiner
