Friday 22 March 2019
Ainslie Park
East of Scotland Qualifying Cup Semi Final
The Spartans | Carswell, Dishington, Cennerazzo, Tolmie, Corbett, Greenhill, Atkinson, McFarlane, Scott, Herd (c)
Subs | Brown, Maxwell, MacDonald, Stevens, Peden
Goalscorer | Greenhill (40)
Penicuik Athletic
Starting XI | Cordery, Caddow, Baptie, Connolly (c), Young, Notman, Sampson, McCrory-Irving, McIntosh, Jones, Ponton
Subs | Sproule, Somerville, Robertson
Goalscorer | Jones (87)
The match kicked off on a cold and windy night making the football conditions difficult for the players, but the fans were not to be disappointed and were entertained with a match of quality and content. Spartans were first to threaten with a corner in the 3rd minute but the back post header went straight to keeper Cordery. At the other end, McIntosh had a chance, but his strike went straight to the hands of Carswell. In the 10th minute a curling Caddow cross into the box was headed over the bar by McIntosh. Immediately afterwards, Spartans attacked down the left and Cennazarro’s low cross along the six yard box was cleared by Young with Spartans waiting to pounce. On the quarter hour, Jones showed delightful skill to set up a chance, but a last gasp effort denied the midfielder. In the 32nd minute, Penicuik had the ball in the back of the net, but McIntosh’s clever flick over Carswell was ruled offside. Then a superb McCrory-Irving pass split the home defence setting Sampson free, but keeper Carswell came to the rescue blocking the winger’s strike with an outstretched boot. Five minutes before half time, GREENHILL crossed the ball from the right wing, and with the assistance of the wind, the ball dipped over Cordery into the net to give Spartans a fortuitous lead.
HALFTIME | The Spartans 1-0 Penicuik Athletic
Three minutes into the half and a corner to Penicuik saw a volley hit the side netting. In the 52nd minute, a driving run by full back Caddow saw his powerful shot hit the bar and go over for a goal kick. Minutes later, a McIntosh strike was cleared off the line and the follow up strike was brilliantly saved by Spartan’s man of the match Carswell. In the 63rd minute, a long range Baptie effort just dipped over the crossbar. Minutes later, Penicuik should have scored, but the ball was blasted wide of the target. Then a testing Baptie cross into the heart of the home defence saw Carswell do well to cut out the ball under heavy pressure. Play swung to the other end where Cordery got down to deny Smith. Then an audacious free kick by Spartans from inside their own half had Cordery back pedalling and much to his relief the ball dropped over the bar on to the roof of the net. In the 72nd minute, with Penicuik pressing hard, Connolly got his head to a free kick but the ball went narrowly pat the far upright. Penicuik deservedly equalised in the 87th minute when JONES nipped in to slot the ball home after Carswell had saved Notman’s powerful strike from the edge of the box.
FULLTIME | The Spartans 1-1 Penicuik Athletic
A nervy added thirty minutes with Corbett the Spartans saviour with a timely block just inside his box was the main moment of the second period. However no further goals were added and the lottery of a penalty shoot-out gave the fans added value for their admission money.
FULLTIME | The Spartans 1-1 Penicuik Athletic (AET)
Notman netted Penicuik’s opening spot kick and Corbett’s effort had a similar outcome for Spartans. McIntosh then stepped up and rattled the crossbar with his attempt leaving Maxwell to make it 2-1 in Spartans advantage. Man of the Match Blair Carswell then pulled off a stunning save to put some light between the sides. Scott McCrory-Irving slotted home for Penicuik and then it was 3-2 with Herd stepping up, knowing his success would send Spartans into the final. In true captain fashion, Herd sent the keeper the wrong way and his side into a showdown between the winners of the other semi final – Bonnyrigg Rose or Jeanfield Swifts.
FULLTIME | The Spartans 1-1 Penicuik Athletic (The Spartans win 4-2 on penalties)
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