Website designed and maintained by Jim Dick Penicuik 1  Hearts U/19s 2 Penicuik Athletic: Bald, Gallagher, McDermott, Meikle, Reid, Gay, McPartlin, Barr, Killin, Brigain, Draper. Subs: Smith, Walker, Newman, Roxburgh, Cunnison, Knight, Leighfield. Hearts u19s: Hamilton, Mullen, McHattie, McKay, Kane, Tobin, Paterson, Smith, Ortego, Holt, Scott. Subs: Ortle, Stewart, Carrick, Thomson, O’Hara, McMillan. A decent attendance met conditions perfect for football at Penicuik Park for the visit of Hearts u19 squad. Within a few moments of kick-off it was quite obvious that this opposition was far superior to that which we had faced the previous Saturday. The speed of their interplay and playing as a team were markedly better. Penicuik were chasing shadows for the first 15 minutes. Thankfully though Hearts shooting wasn’t as accurate as the passing they were spraying all over the pitch, with Smith particularly prominent, and most of their moves ended without troubling keeper Bald into making a decent save. However on 10 minutes neat play left Ortego with an open goal but he contrived to put the ball in the Loanburn from about 6 yards! It became apparent though that Penicuik where beginning to get to the speed of the game and they were starting to trouble the Hearts defence. Excellent work from McPartlin ended with a pinpoint accurate pass to Brigain and his cross was met by Killin who managed to surpass Ortego’s earler effort at the other end but this time from about 2 yards! There were so many new faces in the Penicuik team it was a bit difficult to keep tabs on who was who. Reid appeared to be fouled and was guilty of deliberate hand ball which on another occasion may have resulted in Penicuik going down to ten men. Play raged from end to end and the crowed were certainly getting their money’s worth. Penicuik’s passing game was at times quite impressive given the quality of the opposition and it was good to see this alternative to the long ball game paying dividends which augurs well for the forthcoming season. Half time Penicuik 0 Hearts u19s 0 On the restart Penicuik had made a few changes and, dear reader, I have to admit I couldn’t keep up with the substitutions during the second half. I think everyone apart from Alan Robertson’s dog came on at some point! However, two minutes into the half and Penicuik took the lead. Finding himself clean through KILLIN neatly beat keeper Hamilton. This was only a fair reflection on their contribution other than the initial 15 minutes of the first half. Play continued from end to end but it was noticeable with about 20-30 minutes to go the full time training of the Hearts youngsters was beginning to tell. Their passing from side to side trying to create an opening Penicuik stood resolute and a terrific save by Bald kept the Jambos out. However, Hearts drew level when a daisycutter from PATERSON sped through a melee from the edge of the box with Bald unsighted. All the Penicuik lads got a run out and this possibly upset their rhythm as a team. The Hearts boys kept the pressure on as Penicuik where nearing “hanging-on” mode. An excellent match came to and end however with a fitting finish. SMITH, who’d probably been Hearts best player thrashed an unstoppable shot from all of 30 yards into the top corner that no goalkeeper let alone Jamie Newman could have got anywhere near. Our friendlies against both Rangers and Hearts have been very entertaining matches and some of the new faces on show engender some optimism for the forthcoming season. Full time: Penicuik Athletic 1 Heart of Midlothian u19s 2 Match Sponsors - Hutch & Christine Match ball sponsor - James Allison Landscaping Services My Thanks to Tony Graham for the match report and photographs