Dalkeith Spring Cup Shock

On an afternoon when there was a little bit of Spring in the air, Dalkeith sprung the shock of the East of Scotland Third Round, when they thumped Super League Broxburn 4-0 in front of a surprised crowd.

Premier League Dalkeith Thistle welcomed Super League Broxburn Athletic to King's Park for this East of Scotland Third round tie - the reward for the winners a home quarter final tie against either Bo'ness United or Linlithgow Rose - hoping to pull off a shock. The sides sit fifth in their respective leagues after a mixed season and the cup represented their only chance of silverware this season. 

The game started slowly but it was the visitors who were first to show when Young played in the prolific Anderson - but his effort was blocked.

Dalkeith eventually got going and Tansey had a good run and shot before a defensive error gave Athletic's Anderson another shooting chance.

The games was being played in midfield but after eighteen minutes, Dalkeith's O'Reilly had a half chance but couldn't take it.

Despite Broxburn's superior league status Dalkeith were looking more dangerous and after twenty seven minutes O'Reilly headed just wide from a McKenzie cross. Minutes later a McNaughton corner was headed wide by Hunter. Thistle were playing some expansive football and a good move involving Tansey and Hunter gave Spowart a shooting chance, but he delayed his effort.

With five minutes left in the half the home side took the lead courtesy of a PURVES own goal - the defender turning a Hunter cross into his own goal.

Athletic were a bit stunned and Anderson immediately blasted over before in their best attack of the half Richards headed over a Nimmo cross when well placed. 

Half Time Dalkeith Thistle 1; Broxburn Athletic 0

Neither side made any changes at the break and in Thistles first attack Spowart squared to Hunter who shot over.

Inevitably the Super League side pushed forward and a great flick by Richards allowed Longridge a shot, but it was well over.

With 58 minutes gone the home side doubled their advantage. Spowart went on a great run and squared the ball to TANSEY. The experienced wide man took his time before firing an unstoppable effort from twenty yards past Maley in the visitor's goal. It was a great finish and Tansey showed all his experience not to rush the chance. Two minutes later it was three nil. Manson committed a foul on the edge of the area on the left and from the resultant free kick taken by McNaughton, O'REILLY leapt highest to head past Maley. Manson saw red for the tackle!

The tie was over when after 68 minutes O'REILLY added his second - finishing well from a Tansey cross field pass.

Broxburn kept pushing forward and Hay in the Thistle goal made fine stops from Young, Anderson and Nimmo but the visitors couldn't pass the big keeper who was in good form.

This was never a great game but Thistle will be delighted to progress against highly rated opposition. Broxburn had an off day and never looked like a Super League side. Thistles experienced players, Hunter, Tansey, Hay and O'Reilly served them well but it was a good team effort all round. Broxburn players will want to move on to their next fixture at Carnoustie Panmure. Dalkeith host Bathgate Thistle next Saturday.

Full Time  Dalkeith Thistle 4; Broxburn Athletic 0


Teams
Dalkeith Thistle
Hay, Kidd, McKenzie, Linton, Gavin, Whitson, Spowart, Michael Hunter, O'Reilly, Tansey and McNaughton
Subs Mathew Hunter and Lally
Broxburn Athletic
Maley, Manson, Millar, Willems, Purves, Scott, Longridge, Nimmo, Richards,  Young and Anderson
Subs Rarity, Alexander Miller, John Miller and King

Referee Craig Ferguson

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter