Saturday 27 April 2019
Penicuik Park
East of Scotland Championship Playoffs Matchday #1
Penicuik Athletic
Starting XI | Watt, Stevenson, Williams (Notman 67), Young, Page, Connolly, Somerville (c) (Sampson 59), Jones, McIntosh, McCrory-Irving, Ponton
Unused subs | Sproule, Crabbe, Kateleza, Hamilton, Cordery
Broxburn Athletic
Starting XI | Wallace, Locke (c), Donaldson, Purves, Townsley, Linton, Nimmo, Scott, Miller, Binnie, Beasley
Subs | Gavin, Richards, Ross, Kelly, Gibson, Donnelly-Kay, Donoghue
Penicuik Athletic showed the right fight for the ultimate 2019 East of Scotland League title chase winning a five goal thriller against Conference C champions Broxburn Athletic at Penicuik Park last Saturday before Match 2 due (Wednesday) away to Conference B champions Bonnyrigg Rose. Another super sized crowd were in attendance urging on the Cuikie who gave them the ideal start with a 10th minute goal after some useful play from the hosts as a free kick from Scott McCrory-Irving launched into the ‘Burn penalty area was headed home by John WILLIAMSto push eager Penicuik 1-0 ahead. But not to be outdone Brian McNaughton’s Broxburn were level at 1-1 just 5 minutes later when a fine tip round the post save by home keeper conceded the corner from which at the far post Gordon DONALDSON headed home the equaliser to cancel Penicuik’s brief advantage. Chances came and went at both ends with respective keepers fully in action as a crucial headed clearance by Penicuik pivot Greg Page thwarted a threatening attack from the visitors. Sam Jones fired wide in 29 minutes before next Wayne McIntosh chasing a through ball was denied by keeper Connor Wallace snatching the ball off his toes.Then in reply a raging shot from Burn’s Alexander Miller just went inches wide with the home fans gasping. Double corner attacks at both ends ensued starting in 38 minutes ending with Sam Jones firing off target and at the other end Penicuik’s defence held out against the visitors’ pressing flag kicks as honours for the first half remained even at the break with it all to play for in that second half.
HALFTIME | Penicuik Athletic 1-1 Broxburn Athletic
And that half began with an absolutely stunning goal from “man of the match “ top scorer Wayne McINTOSH in the very first minute when a supreme shot in from the left side of the visiting penalty area whizzed past the keeper into the Broxburn net to put Penicuik 2-1 up. Boosted by that repeat of an early half goal Sam Jones next hammered in another cracker only to see keeper Wallace produce an excellent save for the visitors. And just 10 minutes into the second half rampant Penicuik were to go 3-1 ahead as a bouncing shot from Aaron SOMERVILLE appeared to deceive the ‘Burn keeper Wallace and Penicuik celebrated their third goal of the afternoon. Despite being two goals behind though Broxburn continued to battle on though Penicuik looked to have “scored” in the 64th minute but Greg Page was penalised for his arms round the Burn keeper! Both managers deployed substitutes with Kyle Sampson coming on for Penicuik and Cameron Ross for the visitors. Battling ‘Burn were denied by home keeper Watt in 73 minutes dealing with a high awkward cross to concede a corner which finished with Ross shooting too high. A few bookings for fouls came as the tight contest continued with yellow cards for Broxburn ‘s Donaldson on Sampson who himself was booked for a foul moments later on Ross. But with 10 minutes left for play it suddenly got even tighter as Broxburn pulled a goal back to 3-2 when sub Conor KELLY found space in a crowded Penicuik penalty area to shot home past keeper Watt to lead to a nail biting last few minutes with plenty of time added on by the referee to test the home support. But the Cuikie were determined to get their deserved victory and held out till that final whistle for a fine home victory over the West Lothianers.
FULLTIME | Penicuik Athletic 1-1 Broxburn Athletic
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