Saturday 20 April 2019
Penicuik Park
East of Scotland Conference A Fixture #24
Penicuik Athletic
Starting XI | Watt, Stevenson, Baptie, Young, Page, Connolly (c), Caddow (Sampson 56), Jones, McIntosh, McCrory-Irving, Ponton (Somerville 66)
Unused subs | Williams, Sampson, Notman, Somerville, Crabbe, Hamilton, Cordery
Goalscorer | McCrory-Irving (77)
Musselburgh Athletic
Starting XI | Adams, Reid, Whyte, Myles, McNaughton, Thomson, King (c), Callaghan, Deland, Gregory, Evans
Subs | M Moffat, Ralton, S Moffat, Tufail, Gillan
Goalscorer | Myles (55)
Sent off | Reid (73)
Penicuik were to labour hard but in the end grabbed the necessary single point that saw them secure the 2018/19 Conference A league title at Penicuik Park last Saturday In front of a 400 plus crowd sweltering in 23 degrees of sunshine as the Cuikie with two wins against the Burgh already this season looked to complete the hat trick to become champions. But the East Lothianers were to pose a huge hurdle for anxious Penicuik who missed a barrowload of chances to break the deadlock as it was Musselburgh who did just that. However, following a second yellow and subsequent red for Burgh’s Liam Reid in 77 minutes Penicuik finally got a simple tap in goal to equalise and hold on to secure the point and win the league with huge celebrations at the end and choruses of Championez!A brief strong start by the hosts saw home hopes high but it was the visitors who had no fewer than three early chances with firstly Nathan Evans firing a fierce shot that barely missed the far post in 5 minutes then three minutes later a second chance for the Burgh fell to Jackie Myles but he side footed wide then a Mathu King header was well saved by home keeper Robert Watt. In between, Sam Jones had been clean through for Penicuik but a blocking leg save by Burgh keeper Ali Adams denied the chance. Penicuik did enjoy a better spell of possession after that but the opening goal continued to prove elusive at both ends. A Conor Thomson free kick was forced away for a corner from which the ball came to Michael Deland but he lashed the ball over the target. With so much at stake for the Cuikie they became desperate for their opening goal but fell too often to the Musselburgh off side trap with strong defensive work also keeping Penicuik goalless. In 32 minutes Wayne McIntosh was clean through again but again a brilliant stop by keeper Adams denied the Penicuik top striker. In contrast to anxious Cuikie, The Burgh were more relaxed with the pressure on the hosts telling as the first half ended with a Jordan Caddow chance hit wide.
HALFTIME | Penicuik Athletic 0-0 Musselburgh Athletic
The big home crowd were looking for an improved Cuikie second half display but following a goal line clearance in the Burgh penalty area they were shocked with just 9 minutes gone into the second period as Musselburgh went 1-0 up through a composed finish by Jackie MYLES beating Watt low down to his left with an accurate shot. Penicuik certainly did not want to concede that goal adding more pressure to the home ranks with the Burgh seeking even more with a Deland shot well parried by Watt before, at the other end, another blocking save by Ali Adams thwarted McIntosh. But the game changed in the 72nd minute when Burgh were reduced to 10 men with Liam Reid sent off for a foul and second yellow. Next it was Penicuik’s Scott McCrory-Irving who was booked for a foul on Scott McNaughton, but it was McCRORY-IRVING who next became the Penicuik hero in the 77th minute when’s Penicuik attack left him with a simple finish to square the match and see Penicuik eye the title. It was nail biting stuff in a grandstand final few minutes with a Callum Connolly header missing the target for a winner and in time added on a Wayne McIntosh raging shot saw a final blocking save by Adams. On the final whistle it was huge Penicuik celebrations as the worthy champions celebrated.
FULLTIME | Penicuik Athletic 1-1 Musselburgh Athletic
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