Match Report

Penicuik vs Haddington 30.4.22

Round 1 EOS League Cup

Penicuik Athletic 1 Haddington 0 Penicuik: Watt, Baptie, Young, Waugh, Watson (c), Dawson, Thomson, Hope, Walsh, McCrory-Irving, Reid SUBS | Kateleza, Weekes, Furness, McGinley, Collins, Sinclair, Robertson Haddington: Stirling, Simpson, Shiells, Russell, Harris, Congalton, S Tait, Neave, Laidlaw, King, Neilson SUBS | Corner, McGarry, Jones, Subasic, D Tait After a beautiful morning the weather changed to dull and dreich intime for kick off as Penicuik played host to Conference A Champions elect Haddington in the 1st round of the League Cup, with the winners facing an away day to Glenrothes or Crossgates in the 2nd round. Both sides made changes and Cuikie gave a debut to Ricky Waugh who celebrated his 17th birthday in midweek with 16- year-old Max McGinley amongst the substitutes.After an impeccably observed minutes silence prior to kick off in memory of Cuikie legend Rab Buchan, who sadly passed away at the start of the week there was little in the early play, and it took the home side until the 16th minute to make any headway as Reid’s slide rule pass found Watson running into the box put his shot slid past both he keeper and the far post. Five minutes later a Baptie freekick was headed clear only as far as McCrory-Irving who saw his volley comfortably saved by Stirling. It took the visitors till the half hour to register an effort on goal as King’s shot from the angle of the 18-yard box slithered past the far upright. A minute later Walsh made way into the box and the ball broke to Reid who brought a good save from Stirling, and this was followed two minutes later by Reid shooting wildly over from 12 yards out. In the next play, Waugh’s pass found Walsh on the edge of the box and after a ricochet off several players the ball broke to Dawson eight yards out, but the big striker was unable to get a clear strike at the ball and Stirling collected. With 40 minutes gone a Waugh pass found WALSH and he strode past the defender to find the far corner past Stirling to put the home side in front. With two minutes of the half remaining Baptie tested Stirling from a free kick some 35 yards out, but the keeper gathered at the second attempt. Half Time: Penicuik 1 Haddington 0 In the opening minute of the second half Walsh broke into the box but his shot skewed wide and a minute later Stirling was forced to make a fine double save first from Reid and then Walsh on the follow up before the inrushing Dawson fired over the bar Just past the hour mark Neilson had a shot from some 25 yards for the visitors easily clutched by home custodian Watt. In the 65th minute Laidlaw had the visitor’s best effort as his shot on the turn from a narrow angle six yards out was partially stopped by Watt and the danger was cleared and McGinley made his first team debut replacing the injured Young. With 15 minutes left on the clock Kateleza found space down the left and found Hope, who’s cross across the six yard box was touched away by Stirling. Full Time – Penicuik Athletic 1 Haddington Athletic 0