Every little helps as Kyle Scott bags winner for Penicuik

Kyle Scott celebrates scoring his late winning goal for Penicuik. Pic: David Lamb

Winger Scott replaced his identical twin, Stephen, midway through the second half with the home side 2-1 up and comfortable. Musselburgh’s inability to see games out rang true again, however, as two goals in the final eight minutes secured a 3-2 win for the visitors which consolidated fourth spot in the Super League for the Cuikie.

Teenager Scott, who is on loan with brother Stephen from Berwick Rangers, revealed his delight at netting the winner for his hometown club.

“I’m not really known for scoring, to be fair, but I got the nod to come on and found myself in the right place at the right time,” said the 19-year-old.

“I got a bad injury against Camelon in December with my ankle and physically I got over it ahead of schedule, but mentally I was still a wee bit tame.

“It was great to get the goal and get the three points. Hopefully it lifts my confidence and I can take it into training and give myself the best chance possible of getting back in the starting eleven.

“It’s great to play for my hometown team and, because I work at Tesco in Penicuik, too, you get all the supporters coming in and you get a good bit of banter. It makes it better because they support you and they’ve been good with me and my brother. We’re still young boys in terms of the junior game.”

Penicuik look a dead cert to finish fourth at least, for what would be their highest-ever placing in the top flight. These are heady times for the Midlothian club under Harvey – they are just seven points off their best-ever points total in the Super League with 11 games remaining.

Scott added: “We see ourselves fighting at the top end of the table and the way we are playing is impressing the fans – you see better numbers every Saturday. We are fourth in the Super League just now. Who’s to say we can’t get up to third? We’ve just got to keep winning and keep believing in ourselves.”

Penicuik boss Harvey’s squad was stretched to the limit due to a mixture of injury, unavailability and suspension. He was forced to make five changes from their Junior Cup exit to Rob Roy and a makeshift back five conceded after 11 minutes.

Burgh midfielder Declan O’Kane won’t hit a better strike all season, as his 25-yard volley careered past goalkeeper Connor Easton into the top corner.

Captain Ryan McCallum brought the visitors level on 33 minutes with a corner kick routine straight off the training ground. Neil Janczyk fizzed the flag kick in low and McCallum peeled round from the back post unmarked to side-foot home first time from 12 yards.

Penicuik were on level terms for just under five minutes, however, as home striker Matti King latched onto Connor Spowart’s through ball before firing under Easton.

Spowart must have thought he had sealed the points for Burgh on 63 minutes when he met Conor Thomson’s free-kick with a diving header, but saw his effort come off the outside of the post.

The forward would be left to rue that miss as Penicuik drew level through centre-back Craig Hume on 82 minutes. The defender produced a finish any striker would be proud off as he rattled the ball into the top corner from just inside the area.

Jed Davie could have won it for the hosts but he rattled the post in the final minute. Penicuik completed the smash and grab as they raced upfield, with Scott bundling home Ryan Gay’s header sent back across goal.

Visiting boss Harvey hailed his fringe players for coming in and a staking a claim for a staring place.

He said: “The boys are just relentless and I thought they thoroughly deserved to get back in the game. Just because we’ve been winning I’ve not had an opportunity to change the team too much and I think Saturday highlighted how good a squad we’ve actually got.

“There was so many positives all over the park. The players that came in probably think they should be playing every week. The boys that are normally on the bench proved how good they are.”

Musselburgh Athletic: Renton, McManus, Lynch, Hogg, O’Kane (Cherrie), Murphy, Spowart, King (Donaldson), Davie, Moffat, Thomson.

Penicuik Athletic: Easton, MacDonald, McKenzie (Jones), Hume, Connolly, Janczyk, Gay, Barr, McCallum, Somerville, Stephen Scott (Kyle Scott).