Homegrown lads pushing Penicuik up

Chris Roxburgh, Conor Thomson, and Dean Knight have been “exceeding expectations” since joining their hometown club in the summer.

Knight, a 17-year-old midfielder, was snapped up from Hamilton Under-19s, while Thomson and Roxburgh, both 19-year-old strikers, moved from Montrose and Tynecastle respectively. In the 13 games Penicuik have played this season, they’ve suffered just one defeat, a narrow one at that to Sauchie in the Premier Division.

They’re through to the second round of the Scottish Cup, having beaten Glenrothes 3-0 in a replay last weekend after a 1-1 result in Penicuik seven days earlier.

“We couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the season and what has made it even better is that we’ve had horrendous disruptions due to injuries, holidays and weddings,” said joint-manager Meikle.

“The likes of Conor, Dean and Chris have all come in and exceeded expectations. They’ve been brilliant and what makes it even better is that they’re all Penicuik lads.”

Other summer recruits included James McPartlin from Tranent, Jerry Draper from Musselburgh, Dougie Cunnison from Arniston and the vastly-experienced Ally Reid from Bonnyrigg.

“It has been well documented that Penicuik probably have the best squad ever at the moment and I don’t think anyone could argue with that,” added Meikle.

“We are not getting carried away, but if we can have a good October then that will set us up for the rest of the season.”

Penicuik have been drawn away to Glasgow Perthshire in the next round of the Scottish Cup but before then they face Glenrothes for the third week in a row. The teams clash tomorrow in the first round of the Fife & Lothians Cup and Meikle added: “We’ve got some players coming back so will make some changes in a bid to try and not be too predictable and hopefully take Glenrothes by surprise.”

In other Fife & Lothians Cup ties tomorrow, Dalkeith are at Kelty, Haddington are away at Lochgelly, Musselburgh visit Lochore and Tranent are at home to Crossgates.