Broxburn Athletic...3 Cowdenbeath..........0
MATCH ACTION AND REACTION:
BROXBURN ATHLETIC ............................3 COWDENBEATH .......................................0 Broxburn Athletic caused a major Scottish Cup upset with a stunning victory over League Two side Cowdenbeath at Albyn Park in a second round replay.
The Brox booked their place in the third round with a masterful performance to dismantle their visitors in front of packed terraces as the locals turned out in their droves for the club’s special day.
With the two sides having tied 1-1 last week, there was no doubt that Brian McNaughton’s men proved they could match their SPFL League Two foes.
But few would have predicted such a comfortable win in front of over 1000 spectators on a day to remember for the East of Scotland side, who are in the Scottish Cup for the first time this season.
In truth, Cowdenbeath had dominated the first half but they trailed heading into the break thanks to a 43rd-minute Zander Miller penalty.
The striker would later miss from the spot on 62 minutes only for Craig Scott to produce a wonderful finish from 25 yards with 20 minutes remaining to give the hosts a twogoal cushion.
The fairytale was complete when substitute Conor Kelly slotted home with his first touch mere seconds after being introduced in the 82nd minute to set up a
third round trip to Highland League side Inverurie Loco Works.
The Blue Brazil started the brighter of the two teams with Kris Renton proving a thorn in the Athletic defence’s side.
Skipper David Cox, who netted a wonder strike in the first tie last week, was teed up nicely by Archie Thomas on 15 minutes but blazed wide when well placed to fire his side into the lead.
Athletic left-back Gordon Donaldson then produced a sensational last-ditch tackle to deny Harvey Swann who had strolled up the park and looked set for an effort on goal.
For all Cowdenbeath’s pressure, Connor Wallace in the Athletic goal wasn’t called into action until the 30th minute when he produced a wonderful save with his left foot as Cox looked to roll the ball into the far corner.
Thomas saw his effort from the rebound blocked as the visitors looked set to break the deadlock.
Craig Barr was next to go close barely two minutes later but he was unable to direct his header from a Cox free-kick on target as the Brox continued to stand firm under near constant siege.
It was at the other end, though, where the first goal arrived.
Athletic were awarded a penalty after Greg Binnie had been clattered by Jamie Pyper and Miller confidently sent Kevin
Dabrowski the wrong way to fire Broxburn into the lead.
If Gary Bollan’s side were the better in the first half, they were a distant second best after the interval .
And they were lucky to still only be a goal down on 62 minutes when Miller wonderfully controlled a long ball before being dragged down inside the box by Robbie Buchanan.
There would be no repeat of the first half penalty, though, as Miller went the opposite way this time with Dabrowski getting down low to make the save then preventing the rebound from finding the net.
It felt like a massive let-off for the visitors but they were unable to up their game with a spirited Broxburn defence stifling Cowdenbeath every time they entered the attacking third.
The second would eventually arrive, though, for the hosts. And it was worth the wait.
Scott earned every bit of his ‘Scholesy’ nickname with a sublime finish from 25 yards that would have done the exManchester United midfielder proud – and it sent the Albyn Park crowd into raptures.
From then on, there was never any danger of Cowdenbeath forcing their way back into the game and Athletic would bag a third late on as Ross Nimmo turned his marker inside out before teeing up fellow sub Kelly on the right.
He confidently slammed the ball under Dabrowski to cap off a magical afternoon and complete the fairytale.