Saturday 25 March 2017
Prestonfield
East Super League Fixture #23
Linlithgow Rose
Starting XI | Hill, Thom, Donaldson, Beaumont (Batchelor 55), MacKenzie, Leiper (c), Kelly, McNab, Coyne, Kelbie (Coogans 55), Swann (Williams 83)
Unused subs | Devine, Barnard
Penicuik Athletic
Starting XI | Easton, Forbes, Noble, Hume, Young (Connolly 67), Janczyk, Gay (Montgomery 72), MacDonald, McCallum (c), Somerville (Jones 88), Barr
Unused subs | K Scott, S Scott
Linlithgow started brightly with Kelly breaking down the right wing and sending over a dangerous cross that Forbes rose to head clear. In the 8th minute it was Penicuik’s turn to create a chance when Noble’s cross into the box saw the home defence just manage to scramble the ball away. Four minutes later, Gay was denied a goal when his delicate chip beat keeper Hill but was headed off the line by Leiper. In their next attack, Penicuik were again denied a goal when Gay’s cross was headed down by McCallum to Somerville and his first time shot beat Hill, hit the post, ran along the goal line, clipped the other post and was cleared. Then a great run down the left by Barr saw his crossed cleared by MacKenzie for a corner. From the corner, FORBES broke through the home defence to head home. At the other end a Kelly cross was headed by Coyne, but comfortably saved by Easton. The first booking came shortly afterwards when Kelbie scythed down Barr. Then Donaldson saw his effort go well wide of the target. Penicuik doubled their lead in the 25th minute when Gay turned Donaldson inside out, crossed the ball to McCallum who headed the ball down to McDONALD and his quick turn and shot hit the back of the net. Immediately afterwards, Coyne was denied by Easton when he blocked his strike with his foot. On the half hour, Gay blasted the ball high over the bar. In the 32nd minute, a driving run by Kelly saw his shot deflected for a corner. From the corner, Coyle headed over. Then Kelly headed wide off a Rose free kick. Just before half time a slick move by Penicuik saw McCallum head on a free kick to Somerville who chested the ball down and McCallum shot first time but Hill brought off the save of the match to turn the ball away for a corner.
HALFTIME | Linlithgow Rose 0-2 Penicuik Athletic
Linlithgow came out for the second half with pace and determination and had an early chance, but Coyne hooked the ball high and wide of the goal. In the 59th minute, Easton was brought into action to save a Kelly strike. Then Easton had to rush from goal to smother the ball at the feet of substitute Batchelor. Ten minutes later, Batchelor broke through the Penicuik midfield only to be brought down by Young on the edge of the box. Young, who had been booked previously was fortunate to stay on the park much to the annoyance of the home support. In the 75th minute, a defensive mistake allowed substitute Montgomery on the ball and his low cross into the box was take off the toe of McDonald by a timely intervention by Donaldson for a corner to Penicuik. Minutes later a chance fell to the home side, but again poor finishing saw Kelly blast the ball over the crossbar. With Linlithgow continuing to apply pressure, a quick turn and strike by Coyne brought the best out of Easton with an excellent one handed save and the ball was thumped clear by Forbes. In the 81st minute, a pinpoint cross by Jancyzk picked out Somerville who headed the ball home leaving keeper Hill flat footed, but the goal was ruled offside. Five minutes later, a deflected pass in the Penicuik box saw Noble, Hume and keeper Easton collide in an effort to clear the danger, requiring treatment to both Noble and Easton. Then a corner to Linlithgow saw Easton beat the ball away only for substitute Coogans to shoot over the crossbar. Into injury time and the final chance came at the other end when Montgomery’s low cross was met by McDonald, but he dragged the ball wide of the target.
FULLTIME | Linlithgow Rose 0-2 Penicuik Athletic