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Penicuik 5 Spartans 0
Penicuik: Bald, Gallagher, McDermott, Meikle, Cunnison, Gay, Brigain, McPartlin, Harvey, Roxburgh, Knight Subs:
Barr, Smith, Riley, Draper, Reid, Trialist
Spartans: Jackson, Hunter, Sutherland, Armstrong , Milligan, Perry, Reid, Zavaroni, Cunningham, Stewart, Kidd
Subs: Cruikshank, Boyes, Rodney, Donnelly, Wringe
Referee: Mr G Ross
Spartans were the visitors for this final game in the Dechmont Forklift Trucks League Cup with Penicuik needing to
win and score more goals than either Bonnyrigg or Broxburn to have any chance of winning the section and
progress to the semi- final against Linlithgow Rose. Penicuik started brightly, although Spartans were quick to close
down and pressure the Penicuik players. However that enthusiasm went too far when a scything tackle from behind
by Sutherland on Roxburgh in the 9th minute earned the defender a yellow card. One minute later, a Brigain cross
to the back post picked out Knight who looked up and cut the ball back to ROXBURGH who side footed the ball into
the back of the net. Then, following a corner to Spartans, the ball was headed clear to the edge of the box where
Armstrong volleyed the ball high over the bar. In the 16th minute, a superb passing move by Penicuik, starting in
midfield by Gay saw Roxburgh and Kinight set up McPARTLIN who slammed the ball past Jackson to double
Penicuik's lead. Three minutes later, a slack pass from defence by Spartans was intercepted by KNIGHT who raced
into the box, coolly rounded Jackson and slotted the ball into the empty net. In the 33rd minute, Spartan's
Sutherland received a second yellow card and an early bath. Then a long ball out of defence by Penicuik found
Harvey who turned quickly to shoot, but the ball got stuck under his feet and Jackson came out to smother the ball.
However, in the 44th minute, when McPartlin set him up, HARVEY made no mistake and he fairly smashed a left
foot strike into the top left corner of the net.
Half Time: Penicuik 4 Spartans 0
In the opening minute of the half, Gallagher lost possession to Zavaroni, who drove in on goal, but Bald rushed out
to save. Despite being down to ten men, Spartans were working hard and keeping Penicuik at bay. Most of the
action centred around the midfield area with both sides failing to keep the ball for more than a few passes. Danger
man Knight was starved of the ball and consequently little threat was created by Penicuik. It took until the 81st
minute before a real threat on goal arose. Barr who came on as a substitute, chipped the ball over the defence, but
McPartln's strike went inches wide of the target. Five minutes later, KNIGHT showed how it should be done when
he came in from the left wing beating his marker, driving into the box, and got the bit of luck he deserved when his
strike on goal was deflected past Jackson for Penicuik's fifth. Right on full time, referee Ross spotted a foul in the
box at a corner kick and awarded Penicuik a penalty. Barr, who normally takes the penalties for Penicuik stood back
to allow Knight the opportunity to get his hat trick, but unfortunately he ballooned his effort over the bar - the only
blemish on his excellent performance.
Penicuik finished top of the section, but will have to wait the outcome of a protest by Broxburn (who have the same
points, but a lesser goal difference) against Livingston to see who goes forward to the semi-final against Linlithgow
Rose.
Final Score: Penicuik 5 Spartans 0