22nd March 2019. The Spartans v Penicuik Athletic. 1-1 Spartans won 4-2 on penalties

I had been looking forward to this game ever since it was announced. I have  a Spartans season ticket and also go and watch Penicuik when I can so have divided loyalties. The game was a semi-final in the Football Nations Cup and promised to be a close affair. I left the house at 18.30 and walked to Ainslie Park arriving around 19.20. While I was having my coffee in the cafe/bar Jim arrived and we discussed Scotland's performance in the previous afternoons European Nations Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan. The 3-0 defeat leaves Scotland with a mountain to climb to qualify although they have the safety net of a guaranteed play-ff spot after winning their Nations League group last year. We left the cafe about five minutes before kick-off and headed for the grass area between the dugouts opposite the stand. 

The match started slowly and Penicuik’s Wayne McIntosh had the first attempt on goal when he cut into the penalty area on the left hand side. His shot however was straight at Blair Carswell in the Spartans goal who made a comfortable save. Just after the ten minute mark Gary Cennerazzo sent a low cross in the Penicuik box which was cleared just before it reached the waiting Jack Smith. Penicuik came close after he half hour when McIntosh flicked a Ryan Baptie cross over Carswell and into the goal. The far side assistant referee had his flagged raised for offside and the ‘goal’ did not stand. Penicuik centre-half Darrell Young was warned by the referee for disputing decisions and when he repeated the offence received a yellow card. I always think this is a ridiculous way to get booked as it is rarely, if ever, that a referee will change his decision. For a defender especially a card for dissent is dangerous given the risk of committing a foul while going in to tackle an opponent which may lead to a further card and a sending off. Five minutes before the break Spartans took the lead when the ball came to David Greenhill near the touchline about ten yards out. His cross was caught in the wind and flew past Thomas Cordery in the Penicuik goal and into the net at the far-side. 

Penicuik started the second half looking for an equaliser and Jordan Caddow then hit a shot from outside the box onto the bar and over. Ian McFarland cleared the ball from his own goal-line from a McIntosh shot before Carswell got down to save the rebound from the same player. Midway through the half Spartans were awarded a free-kick just inside their own half. Blair Tolmie spotted Cordery was of his goal-line and his shot sent the keeper scurrying back towards the goaline before it drifted past the post. With three minutes left Penicuik equalised to send the tie into extra time. Good link-up play between Aaron Ponton and Baptie lead to the ball being cut back to Steven Notman on the edge of the penalty area. His low shot was pushed out by Carswell but fell to Sam Jones around six yards out who shot low into the net.

Penicuik had most of the ball in the extra time period but were unable to create an clear chances. They were however unfortunate when Spartans Adam Corbett made an excellent block in the penalty box to prevent a scoring opportunity. The extra period was notable for Spartans bringing on a fourth substitute to have fresh leads available in the penalty shootout. 

The penalties were taken at the cafe/bar ended of the ground. Jim recorded the penalties to send to Alex in Germany. Notman scored with Penicuik’s first kick and Corbett’s effort had a similar outcome for Spartans.  McIntosh then stepped up and hit the crossbar with his attempt while Maxwell scored to put Spartans ahead 2-1. Carswell then saved from Baptie and Aaron Scott put Spartans 3-1 up. While Scott McCrory-Irving brought Penicuik back into contention at 3-2 it was not enough. Spartans captain Mikey Herd sent keeper Cordery the wrong way to put Spartans 4-2 ahead and uncatchable. Spartans will now meet the winners of the other semi-final between Bonnyrigg Rose and Jeanfield Swifts in the Football Nation Cup final.

After the match i walked up to Ferry Road to catch a bus home. On checking my phone I was glad to see that a 27 was due in five minutes as the weather was wet, albeit the rain had now stopped, windy and cold. Got home around 22.30 for a nice cup of hot coffee.

Teams
The Spartans: Carswell, Dishington, Cennerazzo, Tolmie, Corbett, Greenhill, Atkinson, McFarlane, Smith, Scott, Herd
Subs: Stevens, MacDonald, Brown, Maxwell.
Penicuik Athletic: Cordery, Caddow, Baptie, Connolly, Young, Norman, sampson, McCrory-Irving, McIntosh, Jones, Ponton
Subs: None used