Broxburn Comeback stuns Burgh 

When Kevin McLeish forced home the rebound from his own penalty kick after 47 minutes,  it looked like Musselburgh would comfortably wrap up the points against Broxburn. However, a strong second half performance from the visitors saw them secure all three points in a dramatic late finish. 

Musselburgh Athletic earned a good point at Bo'ness United last week to reinforce their fourth spot in the McBookie.com East Super League and faced another West Lothian challenge today in the form of Broxburn Athletic. Musselburgh were well beaten by near neighbours Bonnyrigg Rose in their last home match and we're looking to put in a good performance for the home fans. 

The visitors sit tenth in the sixteen team division and have enjoyed a season of mixed results, but they arrived at Olivebank on the back of a fine away win at Sachue Juniors last Saturday.  In the corresponding fixture played in November at Albyn Park, the " honest Toun" men triumphed by the odd goal in three, so on balance it promised to be another close encounter. There was also the bonus of having two of the leagues top goal scorers in Sean Jamieson and Kieran Anderson in opposition so there promised to be goals. 

On a cold afternoon, there was a good crowd at Olivebank to witness Broxburn force a corner in the first minute. When Young's cross wasn't cleared it eventually fell to back to him but he fired over. Musselburgh nearly scored in their first attack but after getting on the end of a good through ball, Thomson couldn't quite steer his lobbed effort on target. A minute later Jamieson's cross come shot was well wide. 

Anderson was lively early on but his long range effort went well wide in the visitors next attack. Nimmo nearly made the most of a cross a minute later but his effort was turned away for a corner which came to nothing.

After fifteen minutes, Burgh's Wright was wide with a snap shot just before centre back Gibson chested a ball down and burst through the middle - before shooting straight at Maley in Broxburn's goal from fully 40 yards. 

Broxburn nearly opened the scoring after fourteen minutes when Dodds in the home goal spilled a Locke free kick, but Scott put the rebound wide. Minutes later Dodds pulled off a great stop from Scott after fine work by Anderson. 

After 19 minutes, Musselburgh opened the scoring. McLEISH came forward from right back and cut inside before playing a fine one two with Thomson and firing past Maley. 

Burgh might have doubled their advantage on the half hour when Thomson headed a McLeish header straight against Maley - the big keeper didn't know much about it. From the resultant corner Wright headed over. 

After thirty six minutes, Maley showed his footballing skills when the keeper dribbled past two Musselburgh players - giving his manager heart failure! 

As the half drew to a close there was a shot on goal from Broxburn's Young and a wild effort from the home team's McKenna.

Half Time  Musselburgh Athletic 1; Broxburn Athletic 0

Neither side made changes at the break and Musselburgh quickly doubled their lead. Willems brought down Davie as the full back cut inside towards the box. The tackle looked outside the area but referee Mike Taylor pointed to the spot despite the protests from the Broxburn players. McLEISH took the kick which Maley parried  -  but McLeish pounced on the rebound and scored his second of the afternoon. 

Three minutes later, McLeish created a great opening for Burgh but Palizcka couldn't finish. 

With fifty three minutes gone, Broxburn replaced Young with Lochrie  and his first touch nearly set up a shooting chance. It was the sign of things to come as the visitors began to dominate the midfield area and after 57 minutes they pulled a goal back - LOCKE scoring with a fine turn and shot. A minute later Dalrymple shot just wide. 

With an hour played Broxburn drew level. Locke played a fine ball to Nimmo who crossed and Locke was on the end. His effort was well stopped by Dodds low at his left post,  but before he could gather the ball fully LOCKE forced it home. 

Musselburgh were very much second best now but a great pass by Thomson released Davie and it took a timely tackle to block his effort. 

Broxburn were playing the better football now on a bumpy pitch and a fine cross from Dalrymple  was nearly reached by Nimmo at the far post. Next goalscorer Locke had a great run but his effort was just wide of the post. 

Musselburgh were struggling to create clear openings with a Jamieson effort going well wide from range before a Thomson swerving effort nearly tested Maley. 

With ten minutes remaining, free kick specialist Thomsom nearly restored Burgh's lead but his effort was just wide. 

Deep into added on time and just when it looked like the game was heading for a draw, Broxburn were awarded a free kick twenty yards out just inside the D. Anderson fired in a solid shot which Dodds did brilliantly to parry. However, the ball didn't go out of play and substitute DALRYMPLE forced it home. 

The manner of the defeat was a little hard to take for Burgh but after Broxburn equalised there was only going to be one winner as they dominated the second half. Best for Broxburn were Nimmo and Locke with Lochrie a good substitute. McLeish was best for the home side with keeper Dodds making some good stops.

Musselburgh visit Linlithgow Rose next week while Broxburn host Hill of Beath Hawthorn.    

Full Time  Musselburgh Athletic 2; Broxburn Athletic 3



Teams
Musselburgh 

Dodds, Davie, McLeish, Myles, Gibson, Hamilton, Wright, Thomson, Palizcka, Jamieson and McKenna Subs Christie, Swaney and Bracks

Broxburn Athletic
Maley, Willems, Marcus Millar, Young, Rarity, John Millar, Anderson, Scott, Nimmo, Locke, Dalrymple 
Subs King, Manson, Gibson and Lochrie 

Referee Mike Taylor

Gordon Baird 

Neutral Reporter