Saturday 7 November 2015
Penicuik Park
East Super League Fixture #14
Penicuik Athletic
Starting XI | McGurk, Ross (c), McDermott, Young, White, Barr, Gay, Janczyk, McCallum, Somerville (McCulloch 84), Lister (Devlin 88)
Unused subs | Mitchell, Lough, Patterson
Sent off | Young (81)
Newtongrange Star
Starting XI | Renton, McManus, Tulloch, Tolmie (c), Dunn, Currie, King (Coult 68), Cherrie, K Renton (Motion 84), Thomson, Cropley (Noble 90+1)
Unused subs | Wilson, McQueen
Goalscorer | K Renton (78)
Penicuik were looking to bounce back after their disappointing defeat at Hill of Beath that ended a ten game unbeaten run and straight from the whistle it was evident that they were fired up for this local derby. In their first attack, a testing cross into the Star penalty box was turned away by Dunn for a corner. From the corner, keeper Renton was at full stretch to beat away a Somerville header. In the 5th minute, Cropley had a chance for Newtongrange, but his effort went well wide of the target. Five minutes later, a good move by Penicuik saw Ross head a Jancyzk cross across the six yard box, but there were no takers for the home side. Immediately afterwards, McCallum’s strike went narrowly wide of the post. Penicuik were having great success down the right wing where Ross and Gay combined well to get to the bye line, but Lister’s header was easily gathered by keeper Renton. Then in the 19th minute, a quickly taken free kick picked out Gay on the right, his cross was flicked on by Somerville to McCallum who saw his strike crash back off the bar. The rebound was met by Ross but his effort was headed off the line and then was struck just wide of the goal by Jancyzk. At the other end, Renton had a chance, but stumbled at the vital moment and his shot was easily gathered by McGurk. Play was swinging from end to end and in the 28th minute, a Ross strike whistled past the far post. Two minutes later, a McManus cross was flicked on by Renton but Cropley’s first time volley went well wide of the goal. In the 32nd minute, Currie was fortunate to remain on the park after a shocking foul on Barr. In the 34th minute, Penicuik had the ball in the net through Somerville, but referee Smith had blown for a free kick against Barr. Two minutes later, Gay and Ross again combined well for Somerville’s header to produce a superb save by keeper Renton. Just before half time, McCallum had a chance but headed over from close range.
HALFTIME | Penicuik Athletic 0-0 Newtongrange Star
Four minutes into the half and a Thomson strike was deflected narrowly the crossbar. Penicuik continued to press and in the 63rd minute, a Ross cross was flicked on by McCallum but Somerville’s first time volley brought out another top drawer save by Renton to again deny the striker. Minutes later, Ross was again causing the visitor’s defence problems, but this time his cross to the front post was cut out by keeper Renton. In the 70th minute, Gay came in from the wing, but his shot flew high over the bar. Four minutes later, the same player saw his shot turned round the post by the keeper. In the 78th minute, Gay tried to dummy Tulloch, but the full back was alert to this, drove forward, picked out RENTON who turned quickly to slot home from just outside the penalty box. Three minutes later, Penicuik were reduced to ten men when Young received a second yellow card. In the 85th minute, Thomson created a chance, but blasted the ball high over the bar. Then Newtongrange should have scored in the 90th minute, but substitute Coult dragged his shot inches wide of the upright. Into injury time and Penicuik piled on the pressure and only desperate defending by Newtongrange denied Penicuik a deserved share of the points.
FULLTIME | Penicuik Athletic 0-1 Newtongrange Star