Tony Begg: Penicuik players inspired by Kevin Milne's honesty

Penicuik Athletic’s winless league run extended to five games, but manager Tony Begg saw enough from their 2-2 draw at home to Linlithgow Rose to make him believe their fortunes will soon turn.

After a tough week in which fellow co-manager Kevin Milne resigned due to health issues, Begg reckoned his players were Inspired after their former manager spoke so openly in these pages as to his reasons for quitting.

“Kevin and I our great friends, and we will remain that. I am full of admiration for the fact he had the courage to come out and give his reasons so candidly and so openly,” said Begg. “It is great to get these things out in the open and yeah, maybe they did take a wee bit [inspiration] from that and rightly so.

“We just looked like we had a wee bit more grit and determination about us. Even in possession we had a bit more of a spark and creativity, and for the first time in a while we started the game well. We really took the game to Linlithgow so I was really pleased with that aspect of it because I think it has maybe been missing recently. I was disappointed not to win because we had most of the play, although to be fair Linlithgow had opportunities as well.

“I saw enough positive signs to make me think that our form is going to turn and things are going to be a wee bit more positive.”

Penicuik skipper Aaron Somerville fired in the opener from Paul Tansey’s cross less than 15 minutes in. The visitors levelled through Willis Hare’s cross-cum-shot which flew over Penicuik goalkeeper Robert Watt and into the back of the net on the half hour.

Callum Connolly restored the home side’s lead in the second half, but they were pegged back once more by Brown Ferguson’s men who levelled quickly through Sean Slaven.

Begg says his role doesn’t change now he is his own man with the final say on all team affairs, as he added: “Obviously it will be slightly different in that there will just be one voice for the players but that was never an issue anyway. It’s really just a case of me carrying on, the philosophy doesn’t really change, it’s just important that we continue to show the same application and desire that we did on Saturday, and if we do that we’ll be alright.”

Elsewhere, Broxburn Athletic inflicted further damage on manager-less Tranent with a 2-1 victory in East Lothian with Zander Miller and Gordon Donaldson getting the goals for Brian McNaughton’s side. Tranent, who sacked manager Calvin Shand during the week, had levelled through Andy Jones. Bo’ness continue to lead the way at the top of the Premier Division after their 1-0 win at home to Dundonald Bluebell.