5th May 2018 Penicuik Athletic v Harthill Royals 3-2

With the Hearts game being played tomorrow I had to make a decision on which game to go to today. I discounted Tynecastle and Preston Athletic in the East of Scotland League which left a decision between Junior games at Bonnyrigg or Penicuik. Bonnyrigg have virtually clinched the East Super league so I decided to head for Penicuik where a local cuptie was to be played. I walked along to Lothian Road and caught a 47 bus, arriving at the ground around 14.15. After paying my £6 admission I went to get a programme. Programme seller was my old work colleague John and we had a chat while I got the programme. 

I wandered round the ground and took up a position in the covered enclosure for the kick-off. Penicuik started well and top scorer Somerville had an early chance when he cut in from he left but his shot was blocked by keeper Grier. Shortly thereafter Somerville broke through the middle onto a long ball. He was stopped by a good tackle on the edge of the penalty box. The ball broke to centre-forward Sampson who rolled it into the net. However he was in an offside position and the goal was rightly ruled out. After about ten minutes Penicuik took the lead. Forbes and McCrory-Irving played a one-two on the right and Forbes curled the ball into the net from the edge of the penalty box. After the goal I decided to switch to the other side of the ground which was bathed in sunshine.

Harthill came into the game after the goal with Kinchant looking lively on the ball. They equalised after a mix-up in the Penicuik defence allowed Johnston to take the ball round keeper Cordery and rolled the ball into the net from a tight angle. Minutes before the break Penicuik took the lead in what was now an even game when a shot from Sampson hit the bar and fell to Somerville who netted from close range. I was a bit disappointed when it was announced over the tannoy that Bonnyrigg were 5-0 up at half-time. Had I gone to the wrong game ?

The second half started with both sides creating chances but unable to finish. However in 65 minutes Penicuik midfielder Connolly took a square pass around twenty-five yards from goal. He shifted the ball to his other foot and shot home into the top of the net. The second half was also livened up by listening to a Harthill fan shouting at the referee. However given he had a young girl, who looked about six years old with him, I think he could have moderated his language. I actually thought the referee had a good game as he largely kept his cards in his pocket given the number of heavy challenges in what was a competitive match. I think he only issued two yellow cards. In eighty minutes Harthill got back into the game when after another mix-up between keeper Cordery and a defender at a free-kick Johnston took the ball round the keeper and again rolled the ball into an empty net. The remainder of the match was played out with Penicuik looking to retain possession and they held out for a victory.

After the final whistle I had a four minute wait for a 37 bus and walked along Melville Drive home after getting off the bus. When I got home I checked the Bonnyrigg score and the final score remained 5-0. Given I had seen a close match with five goals I think I had chosen well.

Teams

Penicuik Athletic: Cordery, Forbes, Hamilton, Hume, Young, Connolly, McCrory-Irving, Jones, Sampson, Somerville, Ponton

Subs: Kateleza, Baptie, Williams

Harthill Royals : Grier, Carmichael, Paton, Suchninskyj, Carey, Taylor, Kinchant, Minnock, Richford, Johnston, Bonnes

Sub: McAllister