Linlithgow: Christie, Tyrrell, Nelson, Thom, Ovenstone, McLennan, Batchelor, Shirra, Strickland, Coyne, Smith Subs: Kelly, McLennan, O’Brian, McKillen, McKinnen

Penicuik: Bejaoui, Ross, McDermott, Meikle, Cunnison, McCulloch, Gay, Jancyzk, Trialist, McPartlin, Killin Subs: Burrell, Montgomery, Young, Trialist

Referee: Mr A Hogg

Linlithgow 1 Penicuik 2

The opening sorties were evenly balanced, with Gay seeing his strike tipped away for a corner by Christie, but it only took until the 8th minute for Penicuik to open the scoring. Ross started the move at right back laying the ball off to Gay who sent over a deep cross to the back post. Penicuik’s trialist saw his powerful header crashed back off the post, but ROSS, who had continued his run, burst into the box to slam the ball home. In the 22nd minute, Penicuik should have doubled their lead after the trialist headed the ball back down off a Jancyzk free kick, but McPartlin’s first time effort curled over the bar. On the half hour, a free header off a Linlithgow corner kick was turned away for a second corner kick that Penicuik defended well. In the 37th minute, a swift break by Penicuik saw keeper Christie deny McPartlin with a great save and his second effort was blocked and cleared up the park. Immediately afterwards, Penicuik’s trialist held the ball up well then set off across the 18 yard box only to see Christie pull off an excellent save. Unfortunately Christie had to come off injured and was replaced by McKinnen. Right on half time, another testing low cross into the six yard box by Gay was just cut out with the trialist ready to pounce.

Half Time: Linlithgow 0 Penicuik 1

In the opening minute, a Linlithgow free kick beat the defensive wall but flashed inches wide of Bejaoui’s left hand post. Eight minutes later, another Linlithgow free kick caused problems for Penicuik, but the glancing header went just wide of the target. Linlithgow were applying strong pressure and Cunnison was forced head a dangerous cross over his own crossbar for a corner. Then at the other end, the trialist out muscled Ovenstone only to see his net bound shot blocked at the last minute. Penicuik’s defence were solid and restricted Linlithgow to a long range effort by Ruari McLennan from 25 yards. In the 64th minute, substitute Roddy McLennan played a neat one two, but dragged his shot wide of the goal. Three minutes later, Penicuik doubled their lead. Following a throw in on the left, the trialist held the ball up well and shot for gaol, but the keeper parried his effort. However, GAY followed up to slot the ball into the far right bottom corner of the net. Shortly afterwards, Ovenstone for Linlithgow had to go off injured and with all substitutes used Rose were down to ten men. However, in the 74th minute, STRICKLAND fired in an unstoppable shot past Bejaoui to reduce the deficit. Penicuik then went down to ten men when McPartlin was injured. It took some time for Burrell to get on the park and in the interim period, Batchelor had a strike on goal that was gathered by Bejaoui at the second attempt. Penicuik continued to defend well and ran out deserved winners.

Final score: Linlithgow Rose 1 Penicuik 2

Report by Jim Dick Penicuik Athletic