Saturday 26 October 2019
Penicuik Park, Penicuik
Scottish Cup Second Round
Penicuik Athletic
Starting XI | Swain, O'Donnell, Baptie, Young, Page, Connolly (c), Kateleza (Stewart 71), Jones, Watson, Tansey (McCrory-Irving 84), Stevenson
Bookings | Stevenson (67), Tansey (82)
Sent off | None
Stenhousemuir
Starting XI | Smith, O'Neil, Marsh, Halleran, McGuigan, Hopkirk, Cook, McLaughlin, Watters, A Munro (c), Gibson
Subs | Dykes, Scullion, M Munro, McBride, Marley, Anderson, Potter
Sent off | None
Penicuik Athletic marched into the 3rd round of the national cup competition reaching the highest heights with an absolutely stunning 3-0 victory over fourth placed Scottish League 2 ‘s Stenhousemuir at a packed Penicuik Park last Saturday with over 1200 fans in attendance as the homesters enjoyed huge celebrations at the final whistle after a historic win which followed a great hat trick of second half Cuikie goals seeing the downfall of favourites the Warriors. Penicuik are now away at Firhill Park in three weeks time to visit Partick Thistle for another huge Scottish Cup tie for the Midlothian men. And full marks to the home club officials at Penicuik whose hard work on the afternoon ensured it all went smoothly and the right result ensued.
It all began in the opening minute when a fierce shot by Chris O‘Neil fully tested home keeper Kevin Swain before Paul Tansey replied for Penicuik with an equally powerful shot again well saved by visiting keeper Graeme Smith. Next Greg Page headed away a crucial clearance under pressure before a pacey run and shot by David Hopkirk forced Stenhousemuir’s first corner that was cleared away by Kieran Watson. As the lively cup tie unfolded in Penicuik’s 14th match of the season chasing their 9th win. Then a 25 yard free kick from Willie Gibson sailed too high. With 10 minutes gone it was goalless as the home defence defended so well to deny Stenhousemuir their opener in great Scottish Cup tie atmosphere. Good defensive work from the likes of skipper Callum Connolly and Liam O’Donnell thwarted the visitors as in 15 minutes a great chance came to Cuikie’s Lumbert Kateleza but the parting shot was swept across the face of the target. It continued at even stevens end to end with both teams showing flashes of exciting play though the opening goal was proving to be elusive. Gradually Stenhousemuir were edging the bulk of play but it was at the other end with the game’s second clear chance as the ball from the right wing swept in to the far post to waiting Sam Jones but he stabbed the chance wide. Both defences remained on top of the proceedings before in 38 minutes Gibson was booked for a foul on Jones. With just 5 minutes to the break a rocket shot from “man of the match“ Paul Tansey whizzed inches wide of the target for Penicuik’s third first half chance.
HALFTIME | Penicuik Athletic 0-0 Stenhousemuir
Into the second half and Cuikie netted three second half goals to send the home fans into raptures. Twice in a 5 minute spell Penicuik got on the scoresheet to put the visitors on the back foot and grab a 2-0 lead. It was in 51 minutes firstly that referee Lloyd Wilson awarded Penicuik a penalty for a challenge by O’Neil on O’Donnell and from the resultant spot kick Craig Stevenson’s penalty was firstly blocked by keeper Smith but the rebound came back to STEVENSON who slotted the ball home to break the deadlock and see Penicuik go 1-0 ahead prompting huge home fans’ celebrations. Amazingly it was 2-0 to the Cuikie just 5 minutes later following another fine save from Swain denying a rocket shot from Hopkirk before at the other end a shot on target from Stevenson was tipped out for a corner which was subsequently swept in by Sam Jones only to see the ball come off a defender into the net in a crowded penalty area to see Penicuik go 2-0 up. Next Super Penicuik were chasing more as Jones set up Tansey but his parting shot was blocked as Stenhousemuir reeled under Penicuik play. Substitute Connor McBride came on for Mark McGuigan for the visiting Warriors and they did show some pressure on the hosts but their strikers had an off day as Penicuik keeper Kevin Swain kept a super clean sheet denying even a consolation Stenhousemuir goal. The icing on the Penicuik cake came by way of their third goal just 5 minutes from time up when a through ball saw a slip from Scott McLaughlin allow Sean STEWART to run on to face Smith as he swept the ball into the visitors’ net for an awesome third Penicuik goal on the afternoon. Scott McCrory Irving replaced Paul Tansey to huge applause for the winger late on as Penicuik saw out the tie for a famous victory massively celebrated at the final whistle by players and co-managers Begg and Milne alike and deservedly so.
FULLTIME | Penicuik Athletic 3-0 Stenhousemuir