Star Surrender Lead As Broxburn Fightback Secures Point

Despite looking fairly comfortable with a two goal half time lead, Newtongrange Star allowed Broxburn back into the game and the West Lothian side deservedly shared the points in an entertaining fixture. Both sides created chances and their might well have been more goals but for fine displays by both goalkeepers.

Broxburn Athletic and Newtongrange Star locked horns for the second time this season, having shared the points in late October at Albyn Park. Star are struggling at the foot of the mcBookie.com East Super League but have gone unbeaten in their last two and picked up three valuable points in their last outing at New Victoria Park, when they beat Camelon. Broxburn have lost twice since their draw with Star, but did manage a win in the Fife and Lothians Cup against lower league opposition. They went down only narrowly to league leaders Kelty Hearts last Saturday, in one of the few games to beat the freeze. Both teams needed the points and as Star won this fixture 2-1 last season, but lost by a single goal the season before, it promised to be a tight affair. This is the first of two home matches in two weeks for Star as fellow strugglers Fauldhouse United are scheduled to visit next Saturday.

Star were first on the attack and won an early corner. In Athletic's first attack Miller tried a shot from well out which didn't trouble Amos. With six minutes played Athletic won a free kick 25 yards out on their right. Gribben fired in a stinging shot which Amos did well to stop. 

After thirteen minutes, Lander got free on the right but his cross cum shot found no takers in the middle. Anderson was always lively for the visitors and he tried a shot from distance but Amos held it comfortably.

Half way through the half, Broxburn's  Locke fired in a shot from about twenty five yards which Amos did brilliantly to turn onto to the cross bar and behind.

At the other end Cropley tried a snap shot which Wallace held. With twenty nine minutes played, Anderson had a fine run before he played in Lyndon but his effort was tipped over.

Almost immediately Cropley raced clear as he latched onto a through ball but he fired his effort agonisingly wide of the far post. A minute later, the same player made amends for that miss. He did well to get past Millar on the left and his perfectly weighted cross was easy for LANDER to side foot home.

Athletic replied quickly and after thirty three minutes,  Purves' fine header was well saved by the busy Amos. Star might have increased their lead after thirty six minutes when Wallace spilt Morris' shot - but he recovered quickly.

Two minutes before the break Star doubled their advantage. Fine interplay amongst Wilson, Cropley and CURRIE let the last named in and he fired wide of Wallace into the far corner!

A two goal lead probably flattered the home side but their goals were well crafted.

Half Time Newtongrange Star 2; Broxburn Athletic 0

Broxburn made two changes at the break with Nimmo and Gavin replacing McNaughton and Purves.

In their first attack Gribben had his shot well saved by Amos. However after fifty one minutes, they nearly pulled a goal back but this time Gribben's shot was blocked on the line by Martyniuk.

Minutes later Star nearly made it three, but Cropley's effort was deflected over.

Broxburn did pull a goal back after fifty five minutes. Anderson's dangerous corner wasn't cleared and the ever alert GRIBBEN was first to react to force the ball home.

The game was very stretched now and both sides enjoyed periods of possession.

With seventy one minutes gone, the visitors deservedly drew level. Nimmo did well to find Miller and LYNTON converted his cross.

Two minutes later, the visitors nearly went ahead. Anderson fired in a corner which Miller rose to meet but his effort was cleared off the line.

With ten minutes left, Star's sub Roseburgh had a shot but he sent it wide when he might have scored. At the other end Amos was again in action to deny Miller.
The final chance came with two minutes remaining - Star's Currie producing a good save from Wallace.

This was a game where Broxburn will be happier with the point after being two goals down. Star couldn't put the game to bed and will feel that it is two points lost, however a draw was a fair result. The goalkeepers caught the eye and Anderson was a factor for the visitors with Currie pulling the strings for Star.

Full Time Newtongrange Star2; Broxburn Athletic 2


Teams
Newtongrange Star
Amos, Swaney, Martyniuk, Hamilton, Currie, Morris, Wilson, O'Brien, Cropley, Lander and Lally subs Newman, Murray, Flynn, Bracks and Roseburgh

Broxburn Athletic
Wallace, Scott, Millar, Purves, Patterson, Lyndon, Gribben, Locke, Miller, McNaughton and Anderson  Subs Nimmo, Downie, Brown, Gavin Sub Gk Donoghue


Referee
Duncan Smith 
Assistant Referees
Steven Wilson, Jamie Reekie

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter