Established 1888
Match Report
Penicuik vs Broxburn 27.4.19
Round Robin Title Play Off
Penicuik 3 Broxburn 2
Penicuik: Watt, Stevenson, Williams, Young, Page, Connolly, Somerville (c), Jones, McIntosh, McCrory-Irving, Ponton Subs:
Notman, Sampson, Sproule, Crabbe, Kateleza, Hamilton, Cordery
Broxburn: Wallace, Locke (c), Donaldson, Purves, Townsley, Linton, Nimmo, Scott, Miller, Binnie, Beasley Subs: Gavin,
Richards, Ross, Kelly, Gibson, Donnelly-Kay, Donoghue
Penicuik Athletic showed the right fight for the ultimate 2019 East of Scotland League title chase winning a five goal thriller
against Conference C champions Broxburn Athletic at Penicuik Park last Saturday before Match 2 due (Wednesday) away to
Conference B champions Bonnyrigg Rose. Another super sized crowd were in attendance urging on the Cuikie who gave
them the ideal start with a 10th minute goal after some useful play from the hosts as a free kick from Scott McCrory-Irving
launched into the ‘Burn penalty area was headed home by John WILLIAMSto push eager Penicuik 1-0 ahead. But not to be
outdone Brian McNaughton’s Broxburn were level at 1-1 just 5 minutes later when a fine tip round the post save by home
keeper conceded the corner from which at the far post Gordon DONALDSON headed home the equaliser to cancel
Penicuik’s brief advantage. Chances came and went at both ends with respective keepers fully in action as a crucial headed
clearance by Penicuik pivot Greg Page thwarted a threatening attack from the visitors. Sam Jones fired wide in 29 minutes
before next Wayne McIntosh chasing a through ball was denied by keeper Connor Wallace snatching the ball off his toes.
Then in reply a raging shot from Burn’s Alexander Miller just went inches wide with the home fans gasping. Double corner
attacks at both ends ensued starting in 38 minutes ending with Sam Jones firing off target and at the other end Penicuik’s
defence held out against the visitors’ pressing flag kicks as honours for the first half remained even at the break with it all to
play for in that second half.
Half Time: Penicuik 1 Broxburn 1
And that half began with an absolutely stunning goal from “man of the match “ top scorer Wayne McINTOSH in the very first
minute when a supreme shot in from the left side of the visiting penalty area whizzed past the keeper into the Broxburn net to
put Penicuik 2-1 up. Boosted by that repeat of an early half goal Sam Jones next hammered in another cracker only to see
keeper Wallace produce an excellent save for the visitors. And just 10 minutes into the second half rampant Penicuik were to
go 3-1 ahead as a bouncing shot from Aaron SOMERVILLE appeared to deceive the ‘Burn keeper Wallace and Penicuik
celebrated their third goal of the afternoon. Despite being two goals behind though Broxburn continued to battle on though
Penicuik looked to have “scored” in the 64th minute but Greg Page was penalised for his arms round the Burn keeper! Both
managers deployed substitutes with Kyle Sampson coming on for Penicuik and Cameron Ross for the visitors. Battling ‘Burn
were denied by home keeper Watt in 73 minutes dealing with a high awkward cross to concede a corner which finished with
Ross shooting too high. A few bookings for fouls came as the tight contest continued with yellow cards for Broxburn ‘s
Donaldson on Sampson who himself was booked for a foul moments later on Ross. But with 10 minutes left for play it
suddenly got even tighter as Broxburn pulled a goal back to 3-2 when sub Conor KELLY found space in a crowded Penicuik
penalty area to shot home past keeper Watt to lead to a nail biting last few minutes with plenty of time added on by the
referee to test the home support. But the Cuikie were determined to get their deserved victory and held out till that final
whistle for a fine home victory over the West Lothianers.
Final Score: Penicuik 3 Broxburn 2
My thanks to Gus Cockburn for the match photos and to Brian (Striker) Nimmo for the match report