Broxburn 6 v 3 Bathgate Thistle

22 March 2014

Stewartfield Park, Broxburn

Team Jake, Danny, Ryan, Shaun, Leon, Sam, Robbie, Bally, Scott, Connor, Harry

Subs; Aidan, Ben, Lewis, Ross

David is missing today with an injury, but otherwise we have a full squad.  Broxburn are one of the sides competing at the top of the table so this is going to be a tough challenge

Bathgate get off to a poor start 4 minutes, Broxburn have a corner and their player goes unchallenged in box.  He heads it down into the ground to beat Jake and score.  Just 2 minutes later and Broxburn get a second, their no. 24 strikes the ball inside of the near post from distance.

Everyone on the Bathgate sideline is beginning to look worried when Broxburn add a third on 20 minutes.  It’s a poor goal to give away; the Broxburn number 11 is given the time to play keepy uppy at the edge of the box, he turns and skilfully strikes it home.  Broxburn 3 v 0 Bathgate

Bathgate contribute to Broxburn’s next goal with a poor clearance across the face of goal.  Jake rushes out to try to collect the ball but it’s dropped from a height and bounces awkwardly in front of him.  The Broxburn striker gets a toe to it and they go 4 up.

It takes until 30 minutes until Bathgate get a sight of the Broxburn goal and 2 strikes come in quick succession.  Hopes are raised when Bathgate pull one back on 32 minutes.  Robbie makes a good run, his cross is deflected; Harry controls it well and strikes the ball on the bounce, the Broxburn keeper makes a good save but can only parry it.  Scott makes a good follow up run and is on hand to knock it in and pull one back.  It’s 4-1.

On the stroke of half time Jake pulls off a great save to tip the ball on to the post and prevent a certain goal.

Broxburn are the more committed side so far, they are chasing down well when not in possession and are definatley  worth their 3 goal lead.  Bathgate have got lots of work to do to get back into the game and change things around with Harry, Leon and Scott making way for Ross, Aidan and Lewis on for the second half

Lewis makes an instance impact with a well struck free kick, but the Broxburn keeper is a big lad and he gets across the goal to make a great save.  There’s not too many goalkeepers who would have got to that one.

Broxburn further extend their lead on 43 minutes and it’s a great piece of skill.  A back heal flick makes the space for the Broxburn striker to run in on goal from the edge of the box.  A well struck shot beats Jake and that makes it 5-1

45 minutes and Bathgate are making changes, Ben is on for Connor and Bally is replaced by Scott.  Bathgate win a corner, Connor takes it and it deflects off a Broxburn defender then loops over the keeper.  Goal – it’s now Broxburn 5 – 2 Bathgate

Bathgate get another one back on 55 minutes, Danny’s pin point cross finds Robbie and his thunderbolt shot smashes into the post with incredible force before hitting the net.  It’s 5-3

Sub Harry comes on for Sam.  Broxburn score again to make it 6-3, a defensive clearance goes as far as a Broxburn striker on the penalty spot and he slots it home.  Bathgate put in a better second half performance but were well beaten by a strong Broxburn side