Tuesday 30 July 2019
Penicuik Park, Penicuik
East of Scotland Premier Division Fixture #1
Penicuik Athletic
Starting XI | Swain, Baptie, Page, Connolly, Watson (McCrory-Irving 61), Somerville (c) (Jones 77), Williams, Ponton (O'Donnell 77), Stewart, Stevenson, Forbes
Unused subs | Watt, Caddow, Sampson, Viola
Sent off | None
Dunbar United
Starting XI | McCathie, McFarlane, K Tait, Harley, Szemis, Ingram, S Tait (c), Hunter (Chapman 59), McLaren (Fiddler 79), Ballantyne, Neave (McCraw 69)
Unused subs | Cropley, Kean, McTernan
Goalscorers | None
Sent off | None
Penicuik’s opening League fixture was delayed by a week when the Whitehill Welfare game was postponed 0n Saturday 27th July, but got off to a start against Dunbar United. Penicuik should have opened the scoring in the 2nd minute when Connolly set Stewart free on the right, but his effort went narrowly past the far post. Dunbar got over the initial shock and were looking the better team. In the 8th minute, Dunbar came close with a strike that flashed over the bar. Ten minutes later Stewart lost possession and McFarlane took full advantage but his shot was deflected over the bar for a corner. With Dunbar in charge, McLaren had a great chance, but a timely tackle by Baptie saved the day for Penicuik. However, first blood fell to Penicuik when Connolly delicately chipped the ball over the defence from the back post and SOMERVILLE nipped in to head home. The goal settled Penicuik and the side grew in confidence and found their rhythm. A great run by Stewart saw him get round the back of the Seasider’s defence and slip the ball to the near post where Somerville just failed to steer the ball home. In the 38th Minute, Baptie won the ball in midfield, passed the ball to Somerville. BAPTIE continued his run into the box to slot home Somerville’s return pass. Just before half time, keeper Swain was at full stretch to save a curling strike by Dunbar skipper Tait.
HALFTIME | Penicuik Athletic 2-0 Dunbar United
In the opening minute of the second half, powerful shot by Watson was well saved by keeper McCathie. Minutes later, a driving run by Forbes almost resulted in a third goal for Penicuik, but Somerville, sliding in, was inches away from making contact. Then a Dunbar free kick from the edge of the box was well saved by Swain. In the 55th minute, a clever passing move between Ponton and Stewart culminated with a low driven strike by Ponton but keeper McCathie pulled off an excellent one handed save low down to his left. On the hour mark, a long range effort by Hunter swerved just wide of the junction of the bar and the post. In the 73rd minute, with Penicuik piling on the pressure, the visitor’s goal survived three shots, one saved by the keeper, one blocked and the third flew inches wide of the upright. Something had to give, and in the 76th minute, a Baptie corner kick was met by STEWART who headed the ball downwards and into the net for his debut Penicuik goal. Three minutes later the scoring was completed when Stevenson looked to see Connolly at the back post and CONNOLLY took great pleasure in heading the ball over McCathie into the net.
FULLTIME | Penicuik Athletic 4-0 Dunbar United
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