Established 1888

Match Report

Penicuik vs Harthill 5.5.18

Quarter Final Fife & Lothians Cup

Penicuik 3 Harthill 2 Penicuik:  Cordery, Forbes, Hamilton, Hume (c), Young, Connolly, McCrory-Irving, Jones, Sampson, Somerville, Ponton Subs: Williams, Sinclair, Baptie, Kateleza, Allison Harthill:   Grier, Carmichael, Patan, Suchinskyj, Carey, Taylor, Kinchant, Minnock, Richford, Johnston, Bonnes, Subs ; Craig, Brown, McAllister Penicuik were quick out the starting blocks and could have been three goals up in the first five minutes. First, Jones set up Ponton, but he dragged his shot across the face of the goal and past for a goal kick. Then Jones had a chance from the edge of the box, but blasted over the bar. The third chance fell to Somerville but an excellent tackle denied the striker. The Rebound fell to Sampson who slotted the ball home only to be ruled offside. In the 7th minute, a driving run by Forbes down the right wing saw him cross the ball low along the six yard box where Somerville slid in but saw his effort hit the side net. Three minutes later, FORBES again attacked down the right and with everyone expecting a cross, he looked up and curled the ball into the top right hand corner of the net for the opener. In the 17th minute, Harthill had their first real attack when Johnston broke into the Penicuik box, but Cordery was well placed to save. Immediately afterwards, JOHNSTON, in a race for the ball,  dispossessed Young and coolly slotted the ball past Cordery as he rushed from goal.  Then a great Hamilton pass set Ponton free. He raced in on goal, got round the keeper only to see his shot blocked by Suchinskyj a yard from the goal line. At the other end, Harthill’s danger man, Johnston used his pace and power to get off a strike that went inches wide of the target. Penicuik had a gilt edge chance to restore their lead on the half hour mark but Somerville blasted over the bar from five yards. Then Kinchant pass picked out Richford as Cordery rushed from goal. Kinchant got round the keeper, but he recovered quickly to smother the ball at the striker’s feet. Penicuik took the lead again in the 44th minute when a Jones strike on goal came back off the crossbar and fell to SOMERVILLE who slotted home. Half Time: Penicuik 2 Harthill 1 Penicuik continued to dominate play but it took until the 61st minute before their pressure paid off. CONNOLLY received the ball 25 yards out, looked up and blasted the ball into the back of the net with keeper Grier rooted to the spot – a goal worthy of winning any game.  Three minutes later, some brilliant one touch passing almost set up substitute Kateleza, but a last gasp tackle cleared the danger for a corner kick. In the 70th minute, Connolly had another look at the goal from just outside the box, but this time his effort flashed inches past the base of the upright. Minutes later, Harthill earned consecutive corner kicks, but Penicuik defended them well. Then an excellent chip over the Harthill defence set that man Connolly free in the box. His thunderous right foot shot saw keeper Grier bring off the save of the match to deny the midfielder. In the 80th a mix up in defence between keeper Cordery and Connolly cost Penicuik dear when JOHNSTON  took full advantage to capitalise and reduce the deficit. Shortly afterwards, a free kick to Harthill 20 yards out went narrowly wide of the post.   Final Score: Penicuik 3 Harthill 2

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