Battling Broxburn just too strong for Eskmills

Published on Saturday 25 October 2008 10:54

BROXBURN ATHLETIC Colts' very good under-14 squad were on top form in their City Financial Edinburgh South East Region Cup tie at Stewartfield, and Eskmills, from Penicuik, were on the receiving end of a heavy defeat

Eskmills never gave up, despite the one-sided nature of this game, and continued to compete for every ball right up to the final whistle. The Penicuik outfit did not lack encouragement and it came in bucket-loads from their coaches and parents on the sidelines, but this Broxburn under-14 squad are currently on the crest of a wave and they have recorded other big scores this season.

The confidence among the home players at Stewartfield was obvious even before match referee Steve Maguire got the game underway, and Eskmills were 3-0 down before they could get themselves settled on the big pitch.

The talented Ewan Smith set up Andrew Davidson to score the opening goal in the first Broxburn attack of the game and others quickly followed from an own goal, and a penalty scored by Callum Boyle, after Lewis Lawrie had brought down Smith.

Goalkeeper Paul Muir made it even more uncomfortable for the Eskmills defence with huge clearances that flew down the pitch like guided missiles.

The hard-working Eskmills No.4 Fraser Anderson made a wonderful tackle to stop the flying Rhys McDougall while Callum Edwards was a powerhouse in midfield for the Penicuik side.

And it was Muir, in the home goal, who had to pick the ball out of the back of the net after a good passing move, started by Edwards, and finished off close in by Blair Cowan, to haul Eskmills back to 3-1.

Broxburn went 4-1 in front when Jordan Crooks bulleted home a header from a corner on the right, delivered by MacConnachie.

Smith scored a great solo effort at the start of the second half. It was a lovely worked goal by the No.9, showing great composure to win the ball, take it on to the goal, then round Galloway before placing a shot into the empty net.

After that goal, it was backs to the wall for Eskmills and how well they performed. Lee pressed forward in a bid to increase the Broxburn lead, but his shot went well over the top of the bar. However, Galloway was beaten again when a cross from the right went to the far post, where Crooks was waiting to head the ball over the line.

John Bayless then scored a great goal from away out to put Broxburn further in front. The incredible pressure opened up the Eskmills defence again, with a lovely pass through the middle from Crooks finding Smith and he wasted no time in sticking the ball past Galloway for another goal.

Lee was then sent sprawling in the box from a mistimed tackle by Fraser Anderson and the Broxburn No.3 took the penalty kick himself to score.

Even then, Eskmills' coaches continued to shout encouragement to their players, but there was nothing they could do to stop Broxburn scoring once more with Lee on target after a cross from the left delivered by Andrew Davidson.

A spokesperson for the home team said: "We are winning games by big scores. We have a really good squad of players and some of them are training with senior teams, while still playing for us.

"We are playing really well this season, but we expect to come up against some good teams in the weeks ahead, particularly in the Scottish Cup."

Despite the defeat, the Eskmills players played as well as they were allowed to and they, too, have several good players in their ranks.

Broxburn Athletic Colts: Paul Muir, Greg Powrie, Jordan Lee, Daniel Stavert, Callum Boyle, Jordan Crooks, John Bayless, Dean Donaldson, Ewan Smith, Liam MacConnachie, Rhys McDougall, Graeme Thomson, Andrew Davidson, Jamie Edwards, Ben Gallacher.

Eskmills: Ayden Galloway, Scott Inglis, Christopher Taylor, Fraser Anderson, Ruaridh Tait, Blair Cowan, Jordan Bothamley, Lewis Lawrie, Darren Wann, Fraser Steele, Callum Edwards, Lee Casey.

Referee: Steve Maguire.