Penicuik Keep Championship Hopes Alive

High flying Penicuik Athletic made the short trip to Kings Park to take on in form Dalkeith Thistle in an McBookies.com East Premier League fixture that was highly significant for both sides. Athletic needed a win if they were to keep their excellent promotion and Championship hopes alive and the home team needed three points if they were to have any chance of securing a promotion place.

On an excellent Spring evening, perfect for football, a good crowd watched a scrappy opening with neither side creating any clear cut chances. Both sides found it hard to keep possession and there was almost 10 minutes on the clock before Waters got a glimpse of goal for the home side - his chance resulting in a corner which came to nothing. Waters then created a chance for Pusledzki but the Jags striker shot wide.

Penicuik started to find a little more cohesion in midfield with the busy Lister prominent and Montgomery sent an ambitious volley over before McCallum brought a fine save out of goalkeeper Combe - the keeper cleverly blocking his shot with his legs. However, McCallum was not to be denied and half way through the half fired a fine drive past Combe to give the visitors the lead.

Penicuik warmed to their task now and on the half hour Killin was denied by the excellent Combe in the home goal when he looked sure to score.

Dalkeith seemed encouraged by this fine stop and almost immediately, full back Main sent in a fine cross which Morris headed over. A few minutes later Pusledski sent over a searching  corner onto the head of Lally who flashed his effort just over the bar.

Penicuik received a blow just a few minutes before half time when dangerous goalscorer McCallum had to limp off to be replaced by Millar.

Half Time Dalkeith Thistle 0; Penicuik Athletic 1

Thistle started the second half brightly and firstly a Pusledski free kick on to the head of Gavin  came close, and then the same players combined from a corner to create an opening which came to nothing. Lally had a half chance moments later but the home team could not get the equaliser.

Athletic responded and Gay fired wide when he had a chance and then missed an even better opportunity when he looked certain to score. He did manage to hit the target minutes later but again Combe pulled off a fine save.

Dalkeith made changes and substitute Haynes looked to have brought them level with fifteen minutes remaining only for his effort to be ruled out for an infringement as the home players celebrated. This proved to be a turning point as two minutes later Montgomery broke through for the visitors and, despite needing two efforts to finish, eventually beat the in form Combe to make it two nil.

Dalkeith finished with a flurry and both Hunter and Flynn shot wide in the closing minutes.

This was a hard fought win for Penicuik and they were best served by McCulloch at the back, Lister in midfield and McCallum up front. The home team pushed them all the way and Combe was outstanding in goal and Gavin reliable at the back.

This result sees Penicuik still very much in the hunt for the McBookie.com East Premier League and although they trail Fauldhouse United by six points they have five games in hand. They will be busy over the next few weeks, with League matches and an East of Scotland Cup tie with Super League leaders Bo'ness to enjoy,  and fixture congestion could be their undoing. The possible loss of McCallum to injury would also be bad news.

Dalkeith also have an East of Scotland tie with Super League Sauchie Juniors to look forward to but their outside promotions chances are severely dented after this reverse.

Match official Paul Reid and his team were excellent and unobtrusive allowing the game to flow

Final Score: Dalkeith Thistle 0; Penicuik 2


Gordon Baird - Neytral Reporter