Penicuik: Bejaoui, Cunnison, McDermott, McCulloch, White, Lister, Ross, Burrell, McCallum, Jancyzk, Killin Subs: McPartlin, Gay, Weir, Young, Hill

Bo’ness: Wallace, Snowdon, Leiper, Murphy, Campbell, Devine, Walker, Philp, Cowan, Pittman, Donnelly Subs: Anderson, Gribben, Scott, Sloan, Brown

Referee: Mr Evan Cairns

Third top Bo’ness United visited Penicuik Park to play fifth place Penicuik Athletic in this Super League clash. In the opening minute, Bo’ness won possession and broke up field only to see a strike on goal by Philp crash back off the bar and cleared. One minute later a free kick to Penicuik was curled in by Killin and McCulloch got his head to the ball but keeper Wallace saved comfortably. Immediately afterwards a corner to Penicuik saw McCulloch rise above the Bo’ness defence again, but this time his header was off target. In the 6th minute, Killin drove into the penalty box and appeared to be pushed off the ball by Murphy, but referee Cairns took a different view and booked Killin for diving. Then an effort by Ross had keeper Wallace watching anxiously as the ball went narrowly wide. Bo’ness started to pressurise the Penicuik defence winning consecutive corner kicks the second of which brought out an instinctive save by Bejaoui. In the 16th minute, a great cut back to the edge of the Penicuik penalty box by Walker was blasted high over the bar by Cowan. Five minutes later, Killin was inches away from prodding home a Jancyzk free kick. In the 26th minute, a powerful left foot strike by Campbell was tipped round the post by Bejaoui. Shortly afterwards with Bo’ness in control of the game, Cowan came close with a strike from 20 yards. Ten minutes later, Bejaoui had to be alert to get down quickly to save a Devine shot.

Half Time: Penicuik 0 Bo’ness 0

Three minutes into the half, referee Cairns had no hesitation in red carding Walker for a bad tackle on Killin who was unable to continue and Penicuik substitute Gay came on his place. In the 51st minute, Lister crossed the ball into the Bo’ness penalty box where Jancyzk was just beaten to the ball by Campbell who headed the ball clear for a corner to Penicuik. From the corner, the ball was partially cleared, but Lister got to the ball first and passed to Gay who crossed the ball back in. Ross got in ahead of his marker, but his header came back off the bar. Immediately afterwards, a defence splitting pass by Gay picked out McCallum, but instead of striking for goal first time, he tried to cut inside to his favoured left foot and lost possession. Five minutes later, a great run up the left by McDermott saw him back heel the ball to Jancyzk who crossed the ball into the box. Ross headed the ball down to McCallum but his strike was blocked and gathered by keeper Wallace. In the 82nd minute, a driving run by Pittman released substitute Anderson who appeared offside, but fortunately for Penicuik he dragged his shot wide of the goal. Four minutes later, a pass back to Wallace was hit by the keeper against McCallum who was unlucky not to control the clearance and the keeper gratefully gathered the rebound. Then in the first minute of injury time, McPartlin drove at the Bo’ness defence only to see his shot blocked by  Wallace and the danger was cleared.

Final Score: Penicuik 0 Bo’ness 0

Penicuik Pinch Point

Super League Champions Bo'ness United got their title challenge back on track in recent weeks and visited Penicuik Public Park in confident mood. Penicuik came into this match unbeaten in four and riding high in the table, in this their first season in the Super League. This was the only Super League match scheduled locally and a good crowd assembled, eager to blow away the post Christmas hangovers.

The visitors went straight into the attack and almost scored when Plilp fired against the post after hesitancy in the home defence. At the other end, Athletic's McCulloch won a header from a Jancyzk free kick but couldn't test goalkeeper Wallace.

After 5 minutes Killin went down in the visitors penalty area but received only a yellow card for simulation. McCallum faced a unenviable task upfront on his own, but managed a shot come cross in the next Penicuik attack.

Bo'ness were winning the midfield battle and forced three corners in quick succession - the final corner swung in by Philp, found Campbell whose header was cleared off the line. Walker was dangerous for the visitors and after a good run gave a shooting chance to Cowan, who fired over.

After 25 minutes Leiper, up from the back forced a fine save from Benjaoui in the home goal and a few minutes later,  the same player brought the home keeper into action again with a header. After 32 minutes, fine work by Pitman allowed Cowan a shooting chance but he fired just wide. A minutes later,  Bo'ness should have taken the lead but Murphy fired just wide when he looked sure to score after a corner.

Bo'ness were far the better side in the first 45 minutes and Athletic must have been relieved to reach the break on level terms.

Half Time  Penicuik Athletic 0; Bo'ness United 0

Neither side made any changes at half time but after 48 minutes, Bo'ness' Walker received a straight red card for a tackle on Killin, who was unable to continue and was replaced by Gay.

Athletic seemed to be spurred on by the extra man advantage and almost immediately White fired over and then Ross headed against the crossbar. A minute later,  a fine run by substitute Gay gave McCallum a shooting chance, but the home team's top scorer hesitated and the chance was lost. In their next attack, Ross created a half chance for McCallum but his shot was easily held by goalkeeper Wallace.

Bo'ness made a double substitution after 65 minutes,  bringing on Anderson and a Scott for Cowan and Murphy, in an attempt to win the game. Five minutes later the home side took off both Jancyzk and Burrell and brought on their own substitutes Weir and McPartlin.

After 80 minutes, the Bo'ness change seemed to have worked when the ever dangerous Pitman laid on a great opportunity for substitute Anderson,  but with the goal at his mercy, he shot wide.

Penicuik looked content with their point despite facing only 10 men, and lacked any real punch up front. Their best chance fell to McCallum when a miskick by goalkeeper Wallace found The striker, but he was unable to control the ball.

Despite being a man down Bo'ness look the more likely winners but they could not fashion a goal despite their pressure.

Bo'ness will feel this was an opportunity lost as they dominated most of the game ( even with 10 men!) and carried more threat up front. Penicuik managed to gain a point in a game they never looked like winning and have now drawn home and away against the defending champs.

Best for the visitors were Leiper and Pitman with Lister tops for the home team.

Next up for Penicuik is a tough away game at title challengers and near neighbours Newtongrange Star next Saturday, while Bo'ness are at home to Camelon Juniors.

Full Time : Penicuik Athletic 0; Bo'ness United 0

Teams
Penicuik Athletic
Benjaoui, Cunnison, McDermott, McCulloch, White, Lister, Ross, Burrell, McCallum, Jancyzk, Killin
Subs McPartlin, Gay, Weir, Young, Hill

Bo'ness United
Wallace, Snowdon, Lister, Murphy, Campbell, Devine, Walker, Philp, Cowan, Pitman, Donnelly
Subs Anderson, Gribben, Scott, Sloan, Brown

Gordon Baird - Neutral Reporter