Match Report

Newtongrange vs Penicuik 16.11.19

League

 Newtongrange 0 Penicuik  5 Newtongrange:   Mack,   Swaney,   Christie,   Cherrie,   Nelson,   Paterson,   Porteous, Thomson,   Murray,   Reid,   Jameison   Subs:   | Scott, Tait, Smith Penicuik:         Watt,   Young,   Page,   Connolly   (c),   Kateleza,   Watson,   Tansey,   McCrory-Irving,   Ponton,   Stewart,   Forbes   Subs:     O’Donnell, Baptie, Jones, Somerville, Swain, Stevenson. Penicuik Athletic   got   the   perfect   boosting   preparation   for   this   coming   Saturday’s   exciting   away   Scottish   Cup   tie   at   Partick Thistle   with   a   powerful   five   goal   second   half   display   away   to   the   Star   at   New   Victoria   Park   in   the   first   meeting   this   season of   the   two   Midlothian   rivals.   The   win   saw   Cuikie   up   to   sixth   place   in   the   table   with   games   in   hand   and   netting   their   53rd goal of the season so far. Penicuik   were   early   to   the   fore   in   opening   exchanges   with   Paul   Tansey   testing   the   home   defence   with   home   keeper   Ryan Mark   the   busier   custodian.   The   Star   might   have   changed   all   that   in   the   7th   minute   though   in   their   first   serious   attack   but Kayne   Paterson   was   denied   by   good   tackle   from   Scott   McCrory-Irving.   In   reply   Penicuik’s   first   corner   sailed   way   too   high. Star   to   their   credit   worked   hard   enough   in   that   first   half   keeping   a   clean   sheet   with   a   blank   score   line   at   half   time   reflecting the   home   team’s   resolve.   A   Scott   Swaney   shot   for   Star   flew   too   high   and   an   Adam   Nelson   free   kick   was   well   taken   by Cuikie   keeper   Robert   Watt.   Penicuik   had   five   changes   from   the   side   the   week   before   against   Lothian   Thistle   and   lectures from   referee   Mark   Harris   for   Star’s   Craig   Reid   and   Ryan   Porteous   for   fouls   on   Paul Tansey   and   booting   the   ball   away   at   a free   kick.   In   28   minutes   a   chance   for   Porteous   hit   the   side   net   before   a   Cuikie   reply   from Aaron   Ponton   was   just   off   target as   the   opening   goal   proved   elusive. Then   a   long   range   lob   from   Porteous   was   well   held   by   Watt.   Just   before   the   break   an accidental   clash   between   Jack   Murray   and   his   keeper   Ryan   Mack   saw   Jack   stretchered   off   with   a   leg   injury   to   be substituted by Dylan Tait. Half Time: Newtongrange 0 Penicuik 0 However,   the   five   goal   Penicuik   second   half   saw   them   blow   the   Star   away.   Just   six   minutes   into   the   second   half   and   it was   1-0   to   the   Cuikie.   Following   a   McCrory-   Irving   free   kick   into   the   Star   box   headed   on   by   Page,   Tansey   laid   the   ball   off to   Lumbert   KATELEZA   who   slotted   home   into   the   Star   net   to   see   Penicuik   edge   ahead.   In   reply   a   Steven   Thomson   fine shot   saw   a   brilliant   save   from   Watt   deny   the   equaliser. Then   in   the   58th   minute   it   was   next   2-0   to   the   visitors   and   their   own 50th   goal   of   the   season   netted   by   Kieran   WATSON   after   a   fine   run   by   Sean   Stewart.   Newtongrange   were   struggling   now and   just   two   minutes   later   it   was   3-0   as   a      McCrory-Irving   cross   was   deflected   into   his   own   net   by   a   home   defender. Darren   Smith   replaced   Porteous   next   and   five   minutes   later   it   was   4-0   to   a   rampant   Cuikie   when   a   hand   ball   saw   the referee   point   to   the   penalty   spot.   Up   stepped   Paul   TANSEY   and   his   rocket   shot   from   the   spot   kick   gave   keeper   Mack   no chance.   This   was   the   50th   goal   conceded   by   the   Star   so   far   this   season.   Substitute   Somerville   next   saw   his   shot   hit   the Star   post   as   Penicuik   pressed   for   more   and   it   was   5-0   in   85   minutes.   Initially   a   Stevenson   effort   was   headed   clear   but   only as far as Scott McCRORY-IRVING  whose shot hit the corner of the Star net to conclude the proceedings. Final Score: Newtongrange 0 Penicuik 5

My thanks to Brian Striker Nimmo for the match report