Hill of Beath 0 Penicuik 1

Hill of Beath: Hall, Lee, McKenzie, Smith, Dair, Fotheringham, Adam, Gemmell, Hay, Moffat, Adamson Subs: Shaw, Ford, Nichol

Penicuik Athletic: Bejaoui, Cunnison, McDermott, Young, White, Lister, Killin, McCulloch, McCallum, McPartlin, Subs - Rennie, Weir, Janczyk, Ross, Gay, Burrell

Penicuik travelled to Hill of Beath for this East Super League fixture, the first time the two clubs had ever played each other and the fans were entertained with an enthralling game. The home side had a great chance to take the lead in the second minute when a free kick into the penalty box caused consternation in the Penicuik defence, but a brave header by Young, in amongst high boots, cleared the danger. Minutes later, a great diagonal pass by Gemmell picked out Adamson, but his effort went wide of the target. In the 13th minute, Haws left back McKenzie drove up the left wing beating Rennie and Cunnison, but as he got to the bye line, Cunnison recovered to block the cross for a corner kick. Penicuik gradually worked their way into the game after Hill of Beath’s early pressure and took the lead in the 24th minute when, following a corner, the ball was partially cleared to the edge of the box. Rennie volleyed the ball first time through a sea of legs and YOUNG, inside the six yard box, tipped the ball past keeper Hall amidst offside claims by the home side. Penicuik grew in confidence after scoring and had the home side under some pressure but could not increase their lead. As the half drew to closure, Hill of Beath again took control of the game, but for all their possession and pressure, they failed to penetrate a resolute Penicuik defence.

Half Time: Hill of Beath 0 Penicuik 1

The second half resumed with the home side piling on the pressure and in the 62nd minute, a Moffat free kick brought the best out of keeper Bejaoui when he made a fine save, tipping the ball over the bar. In their next attack, Hay had a chance, but hooked the ball inches over the crossbar. Immediately afterwards, Bejaoui had to be alert to dive low down to his right to save a strike from just outside the penalty box. At the other end, a Killin corner kick was met by McCulloch but his header went past the post. Penicuik then broke quickly from defence and Killin took on and beat Lee, but his curling shot went inches wide of the junction of the bar and post with Hall beaten. In the 73rd minute, Adamson went on a run cutting across the box, but his strike was well saved by Bejaoui. Minutes later, Bejaoui again denied Adamson with a fine save. With the home side committed to attack to get the equaliser they were always vulnerable to the quick break away and that was what happened in the 80th minute. McCulloch’s sliced shot was picked up by substitute Gay on the right wing, but as he charged in on goal, Hall rushed out to smother the ball. Five minutes later, a cross from the left wing gave Hay a chance, but his header sailed over the bar. Penicuik broke quickly from defence and Lister pounced between two defenders only to see Hall rush out to block the ball. Penicuik had a great chance to double their lead seconds later, but Hall again pulled off a great save to deny substitute Ross. In the last five minutes of the game Penicuik were under extreme pressure. First a powerful shot by Hay whistled inches over the bar and then a long range effort from the right wing went narrowly past the post. In their next attack, substitute Shaw saw his shot hit the outside of the post an go past for a goal kick. Two minutes into injury time, a looping header off a corner kick to Hill of Beath came back off the crossbar and cleared. All credit to Penicuik for a great defensive display whilst still being a threat with the quick counter attack. With all their pressure and possession, the home side could justifiably feel aggrieved at getting nothing from the game.

Final score: Hill of Beath 0 Penicuik 1

Report by Jim Dick Penicuik Athletic