Anderson Wins It with Super Strike

Broxburn would have considered themselves unfortunate to be behind at the break, but Miller  pulled them level within minutes of the restart. Then Kieran Anderson secured the points with a terrific long range free kick just after the hour. The visitors deserved the victory although King had two glorious chances in added time to rescue a point for the home team. 

Broxburn Athletic were the visitors to Olivebank on  McBookie.com East Super League business today. The West Lothian side currently sit sixth in the league and are still involved in both the East of Scotland and Fife and Lothians Cups. Musselburgh are too close to the relegation zone for comfort but they do have games in hand over the bottom three. They too retain an interest in the local cups. When the teams met in September Musselburgh recorded a resounding 5-1 victory on the road so Broxburn were looking to avenge that reverse. 

The match kicked off on a fabulous Spring afternoon and Broxburn were first to trouble the goalkeeper- Ross Nimmo with a shot cum cross which Renton touched over for a corner. From another corner Baptie's inswinging kick forced Renton into action again; the keeper touching the ball over from under his bar. After 13 minutes, Miller did have the ball in the net but he was clearly offside. 

Musselburgh had been on the back foot but after 16 minutes they took a surprise lead. O'KANE showed quick feet on the edge of the box and in his low driven shot was arrowed low into Wallace's right hand corner, giving the keeper no chance. 

With 24 minutes played, Locke almost pulled the visitors level. He turned beautifully and fired in a shot. Renton pulled off a good stop and when the ball rebounded to Anderson,  he blazed it over. 

It was a fairly scrappy affair but again the visitors created something after 36 minutes. Anderson put over the cross but Miller misheaded with the goal gaping. 

Burgh finished the half on the front foot and Spowart was nearly in on goal after 38 minutes and a few minutes later a King effort was just over. 

Musselburgh were a shade fortunate to lead at the break but neither side created much and it a moment of real skill that broke the deadlock. 

Half Time  Musselburgh Athletic 1; Broxburn Athletic 0

The second half had to be better than the first and Broxburn came out fired up. 

The visitors should have been level almost from the restart. Locke fired in a great cross from the right which Anderson should have converted at the far post, but he missed the ball completely. 

The equaliser was not long coming and after 47 minutes the scores were level. MILLER got on the end of another cross from the right and although Renton clawed his header out, the assistant referee and referee were happy to award the goal. There were few protests from the home players although goalkeeper Renton thought he'd saved it. 

The referee's patience seemed to be a exhausted at this stage and there were yellows for Locke and Ross Nimmo - the latter for a late tackle. 

Broxburn seemed encouraged by the goal and good interplay between Ross Nimmo and Miller resulted in a corner. A minute later and Broxburn were ahead. They were awarded a free kick on the left and ANDERSON fired home a free kick into the far corner from fully thirty yards - giving Renton no chance. 

Musselburgh were stung by this reverse and enjoyed a good spell of pressure over the next few minutes. Firstly a Spowart cross found King but Wallace saved his header well. Next Ralton was straight through but couldn't finish. Finally Spowart fired just wide of the the far post. 

Broxburn' response was two long range efforts from Anderson - clearly buoyed by his goal - but he didn't trouble Renton. Then Miller got on the end of a long ball. He shot wide but Anderson was waiting for a pass and would surely have scored. Next Locke and Anderson combined well with the former shooting wide. Ross Nimmo, who was a handful all afternoon, then had a fine run but his finishing effort was a poor one. With just under ten minutes remaining, Miller had an effort deflected wide. 

Musselburgh showed real urgency with time running out and forced themselves back into the game. King had a shot stopped at the near post as they pushed for the equaliser. Just when it looked like the game was over King had a great chance, but got the ball caught under his feet. Amazingly the same player got another chance deep into added time when two defenders went for the same high ball. The ball broke to him but he seemed to slip and a golden chance was lost. 

There was never a classic encounter and Musselburgh's poor home record is pulling them deeper into the relegation battle. Broxburn are assembling a good side and were value for their victory. Best for the visitors were Miller, Nimmo and Anderson. Cherrie was solid for the home side but King had one of those days when it wouldn't go for him. 

Next Saturday Musselburgh visit fellow strugglers Newtongrange Star in the  D J Laing East of Scotland Cup. Broxburn host Broughty Athletic in the same competition. 

Full Time Musselburgh Athletic 1; Broxburn Athletic 2

Musselburgh Athletic 

Renton, Lynch, Hogg, O'Kane, Murphy, Cherrie, Spowart,King, Davie, Donaldson and Thomson Subs Adams, Dunn, McManus, Ralton and Gillan 

Broxburn Athletic 
Wallace, Cole, Baptie, Gavin, Patterson, Richards, Ross Nimmo, Scott, Miller, Locke  and Anderson  Subs Purves, Downie, Browne, Sub Gk Donoghue

Gordon Baird 

Neutral  Reporter