9th August 2017 Penicuik v Newtongrange 2-0

I decided for a change to watch a Junior league match and travelled to Penicuik today. Despite having lived for a number of years in Buckstone which is as close to Penicuik as you can be in Edinburgh I had never been to see Penicuik Athletic before. The last time I was in Penicuik was after RBS night out where I fell asleep on the bus home and woke up as bus was going through Penicuik. Showing considerable initiative, despite the alcohol, I got off the bus at the next stop, crossed the road and caught the bus on its return to Edinburgh. Managed to keep awake this time and eventually got home.

I did my research and found I could catch an X15 or a 47 bus from Lothian Road to the ground. When I arrived at the stop I managed to get an X15 and after a trip round various parts of the Bush Estate Technology Park arrived in Penicuik. The bus arrived in Penicuik at 18.30 and with a 19.15 kick-off I got off early and walked around a mile or so to the Ground. The ground is set in a public park and no floodlights hence the early evening kick-off. Admission charge was £6 and programme good value at £2.

Penicuik and Newtongrange both play in the East Region Junior Super League. While both sides are semi-professional they cannot go through the SPFL pyramid to reach the SPFL. Last seasons East Region Junior champions, Kelty Hearts, have now moved into the East of Scotland League (EOSL). EOSL winners can move up to the Lowland League and then the SPFL if they win the Lowland League and then beat Highland League champions and SPFL bottom teams in play-offs. The two teams on show tonight are local rivals and the match is an important derby after both sides won their opening league game at the weekend. 

I noticed in the programme John Williams was playing for Penicuik now. John was at primary school with my youngest boy Eammon and they both played in the Boroughmuir football team after they moved to secondary school. I has seen John playing previously for Whitelhill Welfare and he moved from their to Penicuik this season. When I met him again last year at Eammon’s wedding. I said I saw him score a penalty at Spartans for Whitethill. He said he does not miss penalties.

Penicuik started well and they got off scored early when Newtongrange keeper Renton punched a cross  away but it fell to McCrory-Irving who stroked the ball into the net from twelve yards. Shoddily afterwards Penicuik were awarded a penalty but Lough’s shot was saved by the Newtongrange keeper. Early in the second half after  quick attack by Penicuik Jack Hamilton ran through the Newtongrange defence and shot past the keeper for a second goal. Hamilton is on a development loan to Penicuik from Livingston and appeared against Hearts as a Livi substitute in the pre-season friendly I saw. Late in the game there was a collision between Hamilton and Keiran Renton, the Newtongrange keeper, which ended with the goalie swinging on the fence into the terracing. After a few verbals exchanges the game continued. John Williams had a solid game for Penicuik and one of his crosses early brought a goal for his side in the first half.

On the final whistle I left the ground and caught a 37 bus home. After detours through Roslin and Loanhead I eventually arrived at Princes Street and caught a 22 home. When I phoned home to say I was in Princes Street Natalie said her 'Find Friends' showed I was still at Cuiken Avenue in Penicuik. So much for technology !

Teams
Penicuik: Allison, Forbes, Williams, Hume, Young, Connolly, Barr, Jones, Hamilton, Lough, McCrory-Irving
Subs: Mendes, Yafa
Newtongrange: Renton, Murray, Mitchell, Melvin, Osborne, Wilson, Moncrieff, Lander, Scott, Swaney, O'Hara
Subs: Porteous, Scott