Penicuik’s promotion hopes suffer setback

PENICUIK’S promotion hopes were dented as the home side claimed a shock win.

The first half was evenly contested with each side creating a number of chances. Barr for Penicuik came close twice, MacKay had a free header at a corner kick for Armadale but his effort went over the bar and O’Reilly for Penicuik had a chance but shot inches wide of the goal.

Throughout the remainder of the half neither goalkeeper was put to the test. The second half started with Penicuik upping the pace and creating early chances that were all scorned when it seemed easier to score.

In the 57th minute, a soft free kick was awarded to Armadale five yards outside the corner of the Penicuik box and Jamie MacKay hit a thunderous strike into the top corner of the net to put the home side ahead. Despite this, Penicuik continued to dominate the play, forcing Armadale on the back foot, and created enough chances to win two games, but some woeful finishing by the normally deadly Roxburgh and O’Reilly, and good defending by Armadale saw them all wasted.

Armadale Thistle: Walker, Brown, Bonnar, MacKay, Morrison, Mauchline, McLeod, Valentine, Feeney, Taylor, Milton. Subs: Craig, Finlayson, Johnston, Wardlaw, Hay, Muir, Swinbourne.

Penicuik: Bald, Gallagher, Draper, Meikle, Reid, Gay, Thomson, Barr, Roxburgh, O’Reilly, Brigain. Subs: Smith, Knight, McPartlin, Killin, Cunnison, Ryrie, Haldane.