11th November 2017 Penicuik Athletic v Kilbirnie Ladeside 3-3 (Kilbirnie won 4-3 on penalties)

No SPL games this weekend due to the international break. Was not sure where to go but decided to go and watch Penicuik v Kilbirnie Ladeside in the Scottish Junior Cup second round replay. Turned out to be a great decision. I have been to Penicuik previously this season and thought they played some good football. They are currently third in the East Junior Super League with a game in hand over current leaders Lochee United. Kilbirnie are second in the West Region Super League so teams should be evenly matched. The tie was originally scheduled for a fortnight ago but was called off an hour before kick-off due to a waterlogged pitch. The game was then played last Saturday and ended in a 2-2 draw, hence the replay today. As the game had to be played to a finish today, kick-off was early at 14.00. Caught a 15 bus in Lothian Road and arrived at the ground at 13.30. £6 admission charge and £1.50 for a programme. 

The first half had Penicuik on the attack for most of the time. I was surprised by Kilbirnie who had two small and rather large players up front. But then again we all put on weight was we get older.Two 'goals' were disallowed for offside and an effort by Penicuik centre forward Lumbert Kateleza hit the crossbar and was cleared for a corner. Two minutes from halftime Penicuik were awarded a penalty after the referee spotted a tug on John Williams' shirt in the box. No-one in the crowd seemed to know what had happened and I only found out why the penalty was awarded in Mondays Evening News. Aaron Somerville took the kick and sent the Kilbirnie keeper the wrong way to give Penicuik a deserved lead.

Early in the second half a free-kick into the Penicuik box was not cleared well and Arnault Bembo scored the equaliser with a shot from about twelve yards. Penicuik continued to press forward and Katelaza fired over an empty goal after a shot from Jack Hamilton was blocked. Kilbirnie then took the lead after a corner was not cleared properly and a header back into the box was turned into the net by an overhead kick from Michael O'Bryne. Penicuik responded quickly when a cutback from Kateleza allowed Somerville a shot which was blocked. The rebound fell to Lewis Barr at the edge of the box who fired in a second goal for the 'Cuikie'. O'Bryne was sent off after this goal for verbal abuse to the referee leaving Kilbirnie with ten men for the remainder of the match.Things got better for Penicuik after 82 minutes when a cut-back from Kateleza was hammered home by Hamilton. However after another five minutes Penicuik failed to deal with a corner and James Finlay hammered home for Kilbirnie. Kilbirnie fans invaded the pitch to congratulate the goalscorer. Penicuik seemed to be incapable of defending set pieces properly as all three Kilbirnie goals came from this source.

Under Junior Cup rules the game then went to penalties. Williams and Hamilton both had their efforts saved by Kieran Hughes in the Kilbirnie goal. James Finlay had his attempt saved by Kyle Allison but Kilbirnie went through to the next round 4-3 in the shootout. Really enjoyed the game with both sides giving 100% effort throughout the match. Probably the best game I have seen thus far this season. For me man of the match was Penicuik number six Sam Jones who worked really hard in midfield and was  unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions.

Walked out of the ground to find a 37 just arriving at the bus stop however I could see a 15 behind and waited for it. Back home after 45 minutes after walking down Viewforth home.

Teams

Penicuik Athletic: Allison, Forbes, Williams, Hamilton, Young, Jones, McCrory-Irving, Barr, Kateleza, Somerville, Ponton

Subs: Hamilton, MacDonald

Kilbirnie Ladeside: K. Hughes, McLaren, McKinnon, Bembo, O'Bryne, C. Hughes, McGill, Tuohy, Finlay, Scullion, Williamson.

Subs: Juskowiak, Crerand, Roberts