Scottish Junior Cup Second Round

IRVINE MEADOW 5

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 2

By Stewart McConnell

A DREAM home debut for new boss Brian McGinty saw five-star Meadow send the highly-rated East Premier Division side crashing out of the national competition.

Former Meadow player McGinty had asked his players for a reaction when he was appointed on Tuesday night.

And that's certainly what he got as they produced a scintillating performance in front of the biggest home crowd of the season.

The result in no way flattered a dominant side who came from behind but never really looked back.

Before the match a minute's silence was impeccably observed in memory of former Meadow player and top broadcaster and speaker Hugh Drennan.

When the action got under way a shot from 12 yards by Graham Boyd was tipped over the bar by Connor Wallace in three minutes as Medda began well.

At the other end three minutes later an effort from Alex Miller was booted off the goal-line by Craig Buchanan.

Midfield engine Jared Willet went on a surging 30-yard run before screwing a shot narrowly wide from 12 yards in 16 minutes. Then in 19 minutes a James Marks shot from inside the box was blocked by a defender,

However three minutes later, somewhat against the run of play Broxburn went ahead when the unchallenged Ross Nimmo was allowed to make the run to the edge of the box before dispatching a low shot beyond Craig Gordon and into the bottom corner of the net.

Meadow were, however, competing well and skipper Ben Carson threaded an excellent through ball to Willet to shoot narrowly wide from the corner-flag in 26 minutes.

Craig Buchanan made a good clearance to foil a Broxburn attack five minutes later.

Gordon made a fine save to foil Miller in 34 minutes after the striker had been left one-on-one with the goalie.

Medda had a great chance in 43 minutes when Alan Cairns found Buchanan close to goal but his weak effort was easily saved by Wallace.

Then the home side levelled two minutes later when Marks sent a scorching 30-yard shot into the top corner of the net to bag his first goal fir the club since joining just over a month ago.

Medda came close a minute after the break when an Eddie McTernan shot was deflected wide and from the resultant corner-kick from Carson, a header was saved on the line but Buchanan tapped home the rebound from all of four yards.

Three minutes later McTernan shot wide from six yards when it looked easier to score.

Meadow increased their advantage in 54 minutes when a Mark McLennan free-kick from 30 yards was fumbled into the net by Wallace after the goalie had accidentally lost his footing and the game had been turned on its head.

Broxburn had a slight opening four minutes later when Kieran Anderson shot wide from the edge of the box.

The hosts made a change on the hour when Stuart Hannah replaced Cairns.

Broxburn pulled a goal back five minutes later when Nicky Locke forced the ball home from eight yards. Two minutes later McTernan shot high and just wide from outside the box and in 71 minutes Danny McKay replaced Graham Boyd.

Gordon made a great save to thwart Miller from eight yards five minutes later.

The visitors spurned another chance in 78 minutes when Locke blazed a shot well over the bar from 12 yards.

Meadow were awarded a penalty in 84 minutes when McKay was tripped inside the box and skipper Carson netted from the spot.

Millar saw his 12-yard effort well saved. However on full-time it was 5-2 when substitute Danny McKay knocked the ball home from two yards.

This was only Meadow's second win in nine weeks and was thoroughly deserved. However they must build on it as they head to Guy's Meadow for a League clash with Cumbernauld United on Saturday.

IRVINE MEADOW: Gordon; McLennan, Cairns, Begley, Buchanan, Carson, McTernan, Carnwath, Marks, Boyd, Willet. Subs: McKinnon, Hannah, Black, McKay, Newman.

BROXBURN ATHLETIC: Wallace; Purves; Paterson, Townsley, Linton, Nimmo, Scott, Miller, Locke, Beesley. Subs; Paterson, Gillen, Gribben, Gavin, Donaghue.