Match date: 20th July 2021 Kickoff: 19:30
After an opening day win at Sauchie on Saturday, Dunbar United were looking to continue their League form against a Broxburn Athletic side who were desperate to get back to winning ways after a home defeat from Penicuik Athletic last weekend. Recent results between both sides favoured the visitors with Dunbar only managing one win from their last eight games against them.
Dunbar began well with Jamie Devlin winning a free kick on the edge of the box which Darren Handling fired round the wall but Wallace in the visitors goal saved well. Broxburn had the ball in the net after four minutes but the goal was ruled out for offside before Daniel Laing did well to save a fierce shot from the edge of the box as the visitors threatened. Ross Allum went close with a volley but again Laing was alert to the danger and turned it round for a corner.
Dunbar withstood the Broxburn pressure well and looked dangerous on the break with Fraser Neave dictating play from midfield, and with the game evenly poised it was the home side who took the lead in the 27th minute after Andy Jones shot was blocked as it fell nicely for central defender Scott Hay who fired home from the edge of the box via the inside of the post.
The hosts went close minutes later when Jamie Devlin’s header went inches wide with the keeper beaten and after some sustained Dunbar pressure it was no surprise when they increased their lead in the 37th minute when young Evan Fleming crossed from the left to the near post where the alert Jamie Devlin flicked it home from close range.
Broxburn might well have pulled a goal back in the next minute after Barker raced clear but Grant Thomson cleared the danger with a inch perfect tackle and Dunbar deservedly went in at the break with a two goal lead.
Six minutes after the restart the visitors made two changes up front. Before their defence had time to readjust Dunbar might well have increased their lead when Michael McFarlane’s header from a corner fell kindly for Michael Fairnie but his close range shot was somehow stopped by the Broxburn keeper to keep the score intact.
Broxburn then quickly counter attacked with the pacy Ross Nimmo causing problems on the left and after a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box, the young substitute threw the visitors a lifeline when he scored direct from the free kick.
Broxburn grew in confidence after the substitutions and they thought they had equalised on the hour mark when a low cross from the left was flicked into the net by Barker but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Dunbar rang the changes giving their substitutes some more game time and Jamie Devlin brought out yet another save from Wallace in the Broxburn goal after turning his marker. Nimmo was a constant danger for the visitors and might have done better from a free kick with twenty minutes left as they piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser.
Five minutes later Barker miskicked when in a great position but the Dunbar defence was coping well with everything that the visitors threw at them and five minutes from time Scott Hay was very close to heading in a Fraser Neave free kick at the other end.
Broxburn’s player/manager Chris Townsley played up front for the last few minutes as Broxburn began to take chances at the back but despite six minutes of added time Dunbar saw out the game in determined fashion and deservedly picked up their second League win and another three points ensuring that they are amongst the early pacemakers in their League campaign.
A great start to the season for Dunbar’s new management team and a table top clash at home on Saturday when Camelon are the visitors to New Countess Park with kick off at 2.30 pm. Tickets for Saturday’s match are now on sale via the club’s Fanbase app:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Account/Register
Dunbar United :- Daniel Laing, Michael McFarlane, Grant Thomson, Jamie Devlin, Darren Handling, Andy Jones, Michael Fairnie, Fraser Neave, Scott Hay, Nicky Weir, Evan Fleming.
Substitutes :- Jordan Purves, Kieran Ingram, Trialist, Fraser McLaren, Ben Bathgate, Johnny Edmond, John Johnstone.
Broxburn Athletic :- Wallace, Gillen, Hutchison, Harrison, Townsley, Nicol, Barker, Wright, Allum, Binnie, Ross.
Substitutes :- Newall, Grant, Ireland, Nimmo, Tait, Beasley.
Referee :- Ryan Lee.
Assistant Referees :- Cameron Stirling, Finlay Anderson.
Man Of The Match :- Scott Hay.
Match report courtesy of Laurie Wood
Photos by Gordon Maitland.