Spoils Shared in Seasonal Cracker

On a heavy pitch these local rivals served up an exciting ninety minutes and a draw was just about the fight result - although Musselburgh should have taken the points when they missed a last minute penalty !


McBookie.Com East Super League leaders Musselburgh Athletic made the short journey to third placed Penicuik Athletic in the East's match of the day. The visitors arrived on the back of a hard fought win over Camelon Athletic last week and on a great league run which has seen them unbeaten since they went down to Champions Kelty Hearts in mid September. On the other hand,  the home side are on a poor run which has seen them winless in the league since beating Sauchie in mid October. Earlier in the season Penicuik took all three points at Olivebank with a 3-2 win and the honest Toun men were anxious to get the better of their championship rivals.

The first real action came as early as the third minute when Burgh's Thomson tested Bejaoui with a well struck free kick - the keeper turning the ball around the post for a corner. Two minutes later, Swaney was on the end of a Thomson corner and should have done better with his header.

At the other end Lough had a half chance but didn't work the keeper.

After nine minutes, a fine piece of interplay between Burgh's Palicczka and Thomson saw the former bring out a good stop from Bejaoui -  before Jamieson tested  the big goalkeeper with his long range effort.

After sixteen minutes, Penicuik won a corner on the right, Lough swung over the kick and Blaikie met it with his head. The header smashed against the bar and then he saw his effort from the rebound well saved by Dodds.

The game went into a quieter spell as both sides sought to gain the upper hand in midfield.

After thirty eight minutes, Musselburgh had a real chance - Thomson fed in Paliczka but the striker took ages and his effort was deflected for a corner. From the corner Barr headed just wide.

With 42 minutes played Penicuik took the lead. Devlin played a nice through ball to BARR whose composed finish gave Dodds no chance. Almost immediately Penicuik might have gone two up. Lough did well on the right and his cross was just reached by Ross at full stretch at the far post - but his effort struck the post.

Just on the break Lister shot over from range for the home team.

Half Time Penicuik Athletic 1; Musselburgh Athletic 0

The second half started slowly but after fifty seven minutes the game erupted into action.

First Martin misplaced a pass and sent Penicuik's McCallum through on goal - the striker's first touch took him a little wide and Dodds made a fine stop. A minute later,  Musselburgh's Thomson hit the post with a volleyed effort from a Paliczka pass.

The action moved straight to the other end and Devlin's pass put goal scorer Barr in again - but this time his side footed effort was saved. Next in on goal was Ross but he couldn't covert. The action was flowing from end to end and almost immediately a great reverse ball from Burgh's Thomson gave Bracks a chance. Bejaoui saved it at his near post and turned it away for a corner. From the corner the ball broke to SWANEY on the edge off the box and he fired home the equaliser- what a five minutes of action!!!

As the game became more stretched Penicuik introduced Somerville and Thomson and they almost combined after eighty two minutes - but the formers far post effort went just wide.

With time ticking away Jamieson - who had been well marshalled by White until he had to go off- managed a shot which was deflected but Bejaoui saved it well.

Deep into added on time, Paliczka cut in from the right and was pulled down by Blaikie - Referee Scott Millar awarded a spot kick and gave Blaikie a second yellow and sent him marching. Thomson stepped up and smashed his penalty against the underside of the bar- the ball rebounded out to Martin who somehow managed to head it over the bar!

The draw was probably a fair result as both sides gave all on a heavy pitch and it would have been sad if either had lost. The draw sees Musselburgh drop to second and Penicuik fall to sixth on an afternoon when all the other title challengers won.

Best for Penicuik were White and goal scorer Barr whilst Thomson and Hamilton gained top marks for Musselburgh - but it was a great game and all the players take credit from it. 

Penicuik visit Bo'ness United next week while Musselburgh host Sauchie Juniors.

Full Time Penicuik Athletic 1; Musselburgh Athletic 1

Teams:
Penicuik Athletic
Bejaoui, Ross, McDermott, Blaikie, White, Barr, Lough, Janczyk, McCallum, Devlin and Lister Subs Somerville, Thomson, Gay, Patterson and Cunnison
Musselburgh Athletic
Dodds, Martin, Myles, Hamilton, Gibson, Jamieson, Thomson, Bracks, Swaney, McKenna and Paliczka Subs  Conaghan, Davie, Hall and Tufail ( only four)

Referee Scott Millar, Assistants Iain Sneddon and Frank Campbell

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter