Broxburn Athletic v Pumpherston United 21-03-2009
Pumpherston United travelled to the home of current A league leaders Broxburn Athletic hoping to extend their unbeaten run to 5 in a row. A difficult task faced the Pumphy squad as Broxburn were 8 wins from 8 with an average of 6 goals scored per game.
The first half started and both teams pressed hard, trying to get an early grip on the game. It was Broxburn who threatned first however. The ball was passed out wide from midfield and collected by a Broxburn striker who took a touch before dispatching the ball harmlessley over the top left corner of the Pumpherston goal.
Pumpherston were next to threaten. From the resultant goal kick Pumpherston worked the ball up to the Broxburn 18 yard line where John's shot was deflected out for a corner. Kye floated a superb corner back into the 6 yard box which was sent goalwards by Jordan. He was unlucky to see his header float over the crossbar though.
Both teams continued to press hard in what was quite a physical game. Most of the action took place in the midfield with Broxburn managing the occasional shot from outside the box and Pumpherston managing to pass the ball through to the forward line a few times. Pumpherston were seeing a lot of the ball however against the run of play Broxburn latched onto a scuffed clearance and the striker displayed good composure to thump the ball past our keeper. John was playing well up front until a challenge just after the goal saw his game come to a premature end as he left the park with a knee injury.
Nathan came on and immediatley saw some action when Angus threaded the ball through to him. He found himself shoulder to shoulder with the Athletic's defender, both charging towards goal however the defender managed to get enough on the ball to get it away from danger.
Half Time - Broxburn Athletic 1 Pumpherston United 0
Into the second half and there was a strong feeling that Pumpherston weren't out of the game yet. Again both teams battled for possesion in midfield and both teams had their opportunities. The best of these early opportunities fell to James. He picked the ball up just inside his own half, storming down the right wing and into the box only to see the ball bobble up as he connected with it, sending his shot past the wrong side of the Broxburn right hand post.
Twelve minutes into the second half and Broxburn got their second. A combination of passes saw their right winger float in a cross to the back post, somehow the cross found the back of the net as Broxburn wheeled away to celebrate.
Pumpherston kept working hard though and continued pressing knowing that a goal would see them right back in it.
20 minutes into the second half Jamie collided with a Broxburn midfielder with a worrying thud that drew much concern from the touchline. The ref missed this and play continued. The coaches were aware of the urgency however as they made appeals to the ref to be allowed to enter the pitch.
Shortly after this Broxburn sealed the game with number three. Picking up the ball just outside the box after some physical competing from both teams, the ball was played through and struck well by the Broxburn forward from 10 yards out.
Pumpherston won a free kick back on their own 6 yard line. Scott cleared the ball into midfield, only to see a Broxburn player perform what could only be described as a deliberate single handed stop at full stretch in midfield, palming the ball to safety and denying the promising Pumpherston 3 v 1 situation behind him any opportunity to progress.
The ref deemed a free kick as suitable enough deterant to the player performing this in future games. As Broxburn were afforded time to regroup, the Pumpherston move was smothered much to the disappointment of those watching and playing. The boys continued with the game but looked more to seeing time out at this stage. Broxburn took advantage managing a fourth before the final whistle.
Full Time - Broxburn Athletic 4 Pumpherston United 0
A frustrating loss in a game that will refelect as Pumpherston being overwhelmed when in actual fact, the lads had much of the play throughout and certainly in the first half. Until goal number 3 Pumpherston were creating chances and always looked like getting back into the game and can't be blamed for dropping the pace a little towards the end after working so hard.
The lads will put this behind them before moving onto next week's trip to Blackburn United.