Saturday 16 November 2019
New Victoria Park, Newtongrange
East of Scotland Premier Division Fixture #10
Newtongrange Star
Starting XI | Mack, Swaney, Christie, Cherrie, Nelson, Paterson, Porteous (Smith 65), Thomson, Murray (Tait 44), Reid, Jamieson
Unused subs | Scott
Goalscorers | None
Sent off | None
Penicuik Athletic
Starting XI | Watt, Young, Page, Connolly (c) (Stevenson 70), Kateleza (Somerville 62), Watson (Jones 59), Tansey, McCrory-Irving, Ponton, Stewart, Forbes
Unused subs | Swain, O'Donnell, Baptie
Sent off | None
Penicuik Athletic got the perfect boosting preparation for this coming Saturday’s exciting away Scottish Cup tie at Partick Thistle with a powerful five goal second half display away to the Star at New Victoria Park in the first meeting this season of the two Midlothian rivals. The win saw Cuikie up to sixth place in the table with games in hand and netting their 53rd goal of the season so far.
Penicuik were early to the fore in opening exchanges with Paul Tansey testing the home defence with home keeper Ryan Mark the busier custodian. The Star might have changed all that in the 7th minute though in their first serious attack but Kayne Paterson was denied by good tackle from Scott McCrory-Irving. In reply Penicuik’s first corner sailed way too high. Star to their credit worked hard enough in that first half keeping a clean sheet with a blank score line at half time reflecting the home team’s resolve. A Scott Swaney shot for Star flew too high and an Adam Nelson free kick was well taken by Cuikie keeper Robert Watt. Penicuik had five changes from the side the week before against Lothian Thistle and lectures from referee Mark Harris for Star’s Craig Reid and Ryan Porteous for fouls on Paul Tansey and booting the ball away at a free kick. In 28 minutes a chance for Porteous hit the side net before a Cuikie reply from Aaron Ponton was just off target as the opening goal proved elusive. Then a long range lob from Porteous was well held by Watt. Just before the break an accidental clash between Jack Murray and his keeper Ryan Mack saw Jack stretchered off with a leg injury to be substituted by Dylan Tait.
HALFTIME | Newtongrange Star 0-0 Penicuik Athletic
However, the five goal Penicuik second half saw them blow the Star away. Just six minutes into the second half and it was 1-0 to the Cuikie. Following a McCrory- Irving free kick into the Star box headed on by Page, Tansey laid the ball off to Lumbert KATELEZA who slotted home into the Star net to see Penicuik edge ahead. In reply a Steven Thomson fine shot saw a brilliant save from Watt deny the equaliser. Then in the 58th minute it was next 2-0 to the visitors and their own 50th goal of the season netted by Kieran WATSON after a fine run by Sean Stewart. Newtongrange were struggling now and just two minutes later it was 3-0 as a McCrory-Irving cross was deflected into his own net by a home defender. Darren Smith replaced Porteous next and five minutes later it was 4-0 to a rampant Cuikie when a hand ball saw the referee point to the penalty spot. Up stepped Paul TANSEY and his rocket shot from the spot kick gave keeper Mack no chance. This was the 50th goal conceded by the Star so far this season. Substitute Somerville next saw his shot hit the Star post as Penicuik pressed for more and it was 5-0 in 85 minutes. Initially a Stevenson effort was headed clear but only as far as Scott McCRORY-IRVING whose shot hit the corner of the Star net to conclude the proceedings.
FULLTIME | Newtongrange Star 0-5 Penicuik Athletic