19th May 2018 Penicuik Athletic v Jeanfield Swifts. 0-2

Decided to go and watch Penicuik Athletic today. There was a wedding live on TV of some upper class nonentities taking place down south. Thankfully Penicuik had moved there kick-off forward to 1.00pm and I left the house to catch the 11.45 15 bus out to Penicuik and therefore missed the bulk of what some people classed as 'an event'. I had intended going to watch Penicuik on Wednesday but was late getting home and after having something to eat did not have time to get out there for kickoff. Penicuik have played last Saturday and Wednesday and another game today. In addition next week they are playing a local cuptie on Monday night, a league game on Thursday night and their final league game next Saturday. Depending on cup results they may have two cup finals the following week. Professional teams complain about fixture congestion when they play three game in a eight days but the Penicuik players are basically part-time with full time jobs and play for 'pin money'. I sometimes think full-time players do not know how lucky they are.

Penicuik manager Johnny Harvey made a number of changes to his side bringing in non-regular players in addition to Trialists in midfield and on the bench. I think he felt that with Jeanfield Swifts in the lower part of the league they could win this game with a weakened team and bring back the regular players for the cupties coming up.

The game started with Swifts looking the better side and having the bulk of possession with Gary Fergus on the left hand side looking particularly dangerous. Despite the Swifts possession Kyle Allison in the Penicuik goal did not have a lot to do other than cutting out an attempted cut back after a Swifts forward managed to get to the byeline. Penicuik did not look comfortable and despite fielding three strikers were not able to test the Swifts keeper. Swifts took the lead after around half an hour when a low cross into the box found centre-forward Rhys Davies. He was facing away from goal but was allowed to turn and shoot past Allison from about twelve yards. Penicuik may have had a penalty shortly afterwards when Sean Jamieson appeared to be manhandled in the corner of the penalty box by a Swifts defender. He fell to the ground but the referee was not impressed and waved play on.

At halftime I met Penicuik left-back John Williams, who was not in the squad today, as I left the snack-bar. John was in same class at school as my youngest Eammon and I picked John for the P7 side while he was still in P5. John confirmed that Penicuik were resting a number of players as with their league title hopes now gone they were looking to win the local cups. I mentioned the Penicuik v Kilbirnie Scottish Junior cuptie as one of the best games I had seen this season. John said Penicuik would have won if they had been able to defend corners.

Penicuik brought on utility player John MacDonald at halftime for captain Andrew Forbes who appeared to be injured. However the second half continued much as the first with Penicuik huffing and puffing but Swifts making good chances. Centre-forward Davies missed two good chances when he headed over he bear from a corner followed by a low drive well blocked by Penicuik keeper Allison at the near post. Penicuik then took off their trialist midfielder bring on Sam Jones which proved a bit more drive in midfield. Kyle Sampson broke on a through ball but was held back by Swifts player manager Ross Gunnion who received a well deserved booking. With about ten minutes left Swifts scored a second when Robbie Holden hit a screamer from twenty-five yards into the top corner of the net. Penicuik had by this time brought on manager Johnny Harvey, a former striker at the club, as their trailist substitute to no avail as the game ended in a 2-0 win for the visitors.

After the game I would have had a 10 minute wait at nearest bus stop for next bus into town but walked about a mile and then caught the bus further down the road. By getting home around 4.30 I managed to miss both the Royal Wedding and the Scottish Cup final on the TV. I did then watch the FA Cup final but by the end of the game was wishing I had not bothered. There was so little football played and there appeared to be a lack of commitment by several players who are earning fortunes playing for their clubs. I sometimes think non-league football is a better viewing option given the players give 100% commitment at all times.

Teams

Penicuik Athletic: Allison, Reid, Montgomery, Forbes, Hamilton, Trailist, Mendes, McCrory-Irving, Jamieson, Sampson, Sinclair.

Subs: MacDonald, Jones, Trailist

Jeanfield Swifts: Mitchell, Yates, Deans, Mackie, Holt, Holden, Fergus, Gunnon, Davies, Reid, Dewar.

Subs: MacKenzie, Mills