Saturday 1 March 2014
Meadow Park
Scottish Junior Cup 5th Round Replay
Irvine Meadow XI
Starting XI | Hall, Darroch, Twaddle, Stanton, Campbell, Thomson, McCann, Miller, Maxwell, Fraser, Halliday
Subs | McLaren, Caddis, Sideserf, Bristow, Shepherd
Penicuik Athletic
Starting XI | Bejaoui, Ross, McDermott, Young, Cunnison (c), Lister (Brigain 52), Killin, Gay, Millar (McPartlin 83), Barr (Meikle 77), Montgomery
Unused subs | McPartlin, Harris, Meikle, Brigain, Hill
Sent off | Young (72)
Penicuik travelled to Meadow Park, Irvine for the replay of the 5th round of the Scottish Junior Cup having held Irvine to a 0-0 draw at Penicuik the previous week. In the 8th minute, Irvine’s Twaddle was booked for scything down Barr and from the free kick GAY expertly curled the ball round the defensive wall leaving keeper Hall rooted to the spot. However, Irvine then hit a purple patch scoring three goals in fifteen minutes. The first in the 15th minute when THOMSON smashed a tremendous 35 yard strike past Bejaoui for the equaliser. Ten minutes later, Irvine danger man McCANN latched on to a long clearance by keeper Hall, outpaced the defence and slotted the ball home. On the half hour, McCANN scored again amid claims for offside, but again his pace beat the Penicuik defence and he stroked the ball past Bejaoui into the far corner of the net. Six minutes later, Maxwell came close with a header that looped over the bar on to the roof of the net. Penicuik were struggling to get into the game, but were able to prevent the home side from scoring again before half time.
HALFTIME | Irvine Meadow XI 3-1 Penicuik Athletic
Two minutes into the half and Penicuik were caught napping at a free kick just outside their penalty area. The kick was taken quickly and HALLIDAY chipped the ball over the advancing Bejaoui as the Penicuik defence stood and watched. With Irvine and their fans thinking the game was over, Penicuik took a different view and suddenly started to up their game and play attacking football. In the 53rd minute, a pinpoint 30 yard diagonal pass by Gay was met on the run by Montgomery but his powerful shot was tipped over the bar by Hall. Penicuik’s efforts were rewarded in the 56th minute when substitute BRIGAIN headed home a Millar cross. Three minutes later, the deficit was again reduced when BARR slotted home from a Gay free kick. The next fifteen minutes were all Penicuik and only good goal keeping and desperate tackles and blocks prevented Penicuik getting the equaliser. Then in the 72nd minute, Young received a somewhat harsh second yellow card and an early bath. This changed the balance of the game and from the free kick, Irvine hit the post but the danger was cleared. Shortly afterwards, McCann had a great chance to complete his hat trick, but he blasted the ball high over the bar. The ten men of Penicuik refused to give up and went for broke again pinning Irvine back in defence and in the 88th minute, a Gay pile driver was blocked by Hall and booted clear. Despite their best efforts, Penicuik just could not get that equaliser to take the tie to penalties, and the home support cheered their side with enthusiasm and no doubt an element of relief.
FULLTIME | Irvine Meadow XI 4-3 Penicuik Athletic