Match Report

Penicuik vs Hill of Beath 16 2.19

Penicuik 1 Hill of Beath 1 Penicuik: Robertson, Stevenson, Baptie, Young, Page, Norman, Sampson, Connolly, Somerville (c), Jones, McCrory- Irving Subs:Cordery, McIntosh, Sproule, Williams, Caddow, Ponton, Crabbe Hill of Beath: Hall, Grierson, Kellichan, Conners, Harrower, Mitchell, Denton, Patrick, Morris, D Watt, Kirby Subs: M Watt, Leishman, Wright, Dair, Elder This was the third meeting between the two teams with the visitors winning the previous two games so Penicuik were looking for revenge over their nearest challengers and the Cuikie had the first chance with a Baptie free kick that was headed by Connolly but his effort was comfortably saved by keeper Hall. However Penicuik took the lead in the 10th minute when a defence splitting pass by McCrory-Irving set up JONES who slotted ball home just inside the keeper’s near post. Immediately afterwards, Jones came close with a shot that flashed inches wide of the post. At the other end, a long clearance picked out Morris who drove in on goal, but hit the side netting with his shot. Then in the 22nd minute, Penicuik were reduced to ten men when Stevenson was sent off completely changing the balance of the game. Five minutes later, Somerville a header off a corner kick went straight into the arms of Hall. With the extra man starting to tell, the Haws were piling on the pressure and keeper Robertson was brought into action to rise above everyone to clutch a high ball under severe pressure. Then a long range strike by Denton was parried away by Robertson to retain Penicuik’s lead at half time. Half Time: Penicuik 1 Hill of Beath 0 In the opening minute of the half, Penicuik sighed with relief as a glancing header went inches past the upright. However, in the 50th minute, an excellent through ball set MITCHELL free and he stroked the ball just inside the post past Robertson to level the game. Minutes later, a Penicuik free kick had keeper Hall at full stretch to save low down to his right. At the other end, Robertson had to be alert to save a long range effort by Hill of Beath. One minute later, Penicuik had a chance off a corner kick, but the header went over the bar. Penicuik grew in confidence as the game progressed, with the home defence dealing with everything the opposition could throw at them and always looking the hit them on the break. In one such counter attack, Penicuik’s Sampson drove past three defenders at pace but was cynically scythed down by Dair who was fortunate to only receive a yellow card. Final score: Penicuik 1 Hill of Beath 1