Penicuik: Bejaoui, Ross, McDermott, Meikle, Cunnison, Lister, McPartlin, Jancyzk, McCallum, Gay, Rennie Subs: Millar, McCulloch, Young, Burrell, Hill

Edinburgh United: Inglis S, Smeaton, Smith, Murray, Miller, Inglis C, Fisher, Lothian, Mitchell, Hume, Knight Subs: Pagilero, McLennan, Milne, Paterson

Referee: Mr D Doig

Edinburgh United came to Penicuik Park for this 1st round East of Scotland Cup tie very much the underdogs according to the bookies, but proved that to be well off the mark with an outstanding display of total commitment,  passing and solid defending that left Super League opponents Penicuik Athletic stunned.

The visitors took the lead in the 9th minute when a mishit shot by FISHER hit the post and ran along the goal before keeper Bejaoui gathered the ball, but the stand side assistant adjudged the ball to have crossed the goal line. In the 18th minute, a mistake in midfield by Penicuik gave Edinburgh possession and Bejaoui had to be on his toes to save a shot by former Penicuik player Knight. The visitors were much the sharper side, keeping possession well and quickly closing down Penicuik whenever they had the ball and it took until the 32nd minute before Penicuik created a chance. A pinpoint diagonal pass by Ross picked out Rennie on the left but his powerful shot was brilliantly turned round the post by keeper Inglis. At the other end, Fisher held the ball up well to set up Mitchell, but his effort went a foot wide of Bejaoui’s right hand post. Into first half injury time and a dipping first time volley by McCallum went just wide of the target.

Half Time: Penicuik 0 Edinburgh1

Edinburgh continued to have the best of the play in the opening minutes, but a driving run by Gay for Penicuik saw him strike a long range shot that whistled narrowly past the upright. In the 59th minute, Knight set up goal scorer Fisher, but this time Bejaoui was well placed to save at the second attempt. Immediately afterwards a neat passing move by Penicuik was finished off by McCallum but his effort flashed past the junction of the post and crossbar. Then a quick break from defence by United saw a Knight strike tipped over the bar by Bejaoui. In the space of two minutes, without there being a single bad foul in the game, Sean Lothian of Edinburgh United and Scott McCulloch of Penicuik both received their second yellow cards and an early bath. In the final minutes of the game, Edinburgh had to thank keeper Inglis when he pulled off two top drawer saves to deny Penicuik an equaliser and take the game to a penalty shoot-out. However, United would have been aggrieved had that been the case as they were by far the better side throughout the ninety minutes.

Final Score: Penicuik 0 Edinburgh 1

Report by Jim Dick Penicuik Athletic