Friday 20 May 2016
New Victoria Park
East Super League Fixture #27
Newtongrange Star
Starting XI | McQueen, Deland, Noble, Tolmie, McManus, Motion, Morris, Cherrie, Renton, Wilson (Coultress 46), Cropley
Unused sub | Renton
Goalscorer | Renton (pen 78)
Penicuik Athletic
Starting XI | Bejaoui (c), Fraser, Blaikie, Meikle (McDermott 39), Young, Patterson, Gay, Janczyk, McCallum, Thomson, Lough
Unused subs | White, Lister
In the 2nd minute, a free kick to Penicuik found Thomson in the box but his left foot strike went over the bar. Shortly afterwards a long range effort by Renton also went over the bar. I a typical end of season game, neither side was creating any opportunities until the 27th minute when a Thomson strike flashed inches wide of the upright. Six minutes later Star should have taken the lead when a great cross by Morris picked out Cherrie at the back post but he somehow contrived to miss the target when it seemed easier to score. In their next attack, Morris got past Blaikie but his shot skimmed the crossbar. In the 38th minute, a corner to Penicuik saw Young’s powerful header crash back off the bar and away for a goal kick. Just before half time keeper McQueen was at full stretch to turn away a powerful Gay strike for a corner kick. At the other end Newtongrange had a chance from a corner kick but just couldn’t get the required final touch.
HALFTIME | Newtongrange Star 0-0 Penicuik Athletic
Minutes into the second half and a Star free kick went narrowly wide of the target. Penicuik took the lead in the 60th minute when LOUGH’s free kick took a deflection off the defensive wall into the net. One minute later, an excellent save by Bejaoui denied live wire Morris. In the 75th minute, a quickly taken free kick by Penicuik saw Blaikie’s left foot strike go past the upright. In the 77th minute Newtongrange were awarded a penalty when Young was adjudged to have fouled Renton when heading the ball clear. RENTON clinically converted the spot kick. With Penicuik defending deeper and deeper, Newtongrange came close to taking the lead when Cherrie’s strike went inches wide of the target. Minutes later, the same player had a great chance, but blasted the ball over the bar. Then a Delano cross picked out Morris, but Bejaoui was well placed to save. In the 88th minute, a flowing move by Penicuik saw GAY curl a superb twenty yard strike into the top corner of the net for the winning goal.
FULLTIME | Newtongrange Star 1-2 Penicuik Athletic