norwichbobby

Penicuik P - P Broxburn

Tranent are lucky that they can afford to pay higher wages than most (if not all in the league) and as such can attract better players than most . To be fair they’ve also invested in their facilities too which are very good. It’s not rocket science, information readily available from speaking with players, committee, agm’s etc. The figures I’ve heard some players are on are several times what Penicuik players are on. But good luck to them, there’s always clubs that have more cash than others. Then compare that with the likes of Auchinleck, who I was told by one of their committee are all on at least £250 pw. We can’t compete with that hence my other comments about no promotion being likely.

Full credit to Tranent today. Best team won and they have great players all over the park. In the aftermath it left me wondering why they aren’t top already as In 3 games against them they have proven their quality. It’s testament that with less resources we’ve maintained a strong challenge and are still clinging on to top spot by our finger nails. It’s been a great season so far and I hope we can keep winning and take the title down to the final couple of games where Linlithgow play Tranent and then we play Linlithgow- what a climax that would be. On a more sober note, following on from the comment above about still playing in the Premier league next year. I fear that whoever wins will remain in the league for the next 2-3 years at least, due to the strength of the Wosfl teams. This would be a great shame. What does everyone think about the chances of our champions going up?

If the virus doesn’t get the Penicuik game the frost might. Hard frost overnight and still only 1 degree. Sunny though so hope that helps…

At the game I’d have said 700-800 but 1200 is great. I’m not familiar with how many can fit in the enclosure.

Such a competitive league. I feel it’s starting to take the look we might have expected at the start. Tranent were always expected to be one of the favourites. My own team Penicuik were likely to be top half but to still be top is better than we might have expected. Linlithgow are on a good run after some disappointing draws early on and similarly Jeanfield are in form after a slow start. Tynie and Dunbar are having great seasons. At the other end Camelon must be disappointed but they have undergone major upheaval. I’m not quite sure what’s happened at HOB but believe injuries and personnel changes have also impacted them. Every game is up for grabs and if you’re not on your game then you can expect to be punished. I’m really enjoying watching my team and seeing how everything changes almost every week.

You certainly deserved the win but battered is a bit harsh as both defences held steady for around 60-70 minutes and neither goalie was really tested. Much like the first half I felt the goal would come from a set piece or penalty but we gave the ball away too many times in the end and it was punished. Our chances were reduced when we lost Paul Tansey to injury midweek. Maybe if we’d gone in at half time 1 up it would have helped but you’ve a very strong squad all over the pitch and as I said, the best team won. A good crowd and good to see a bus load of your fans in my local beforehand. Good luck in the draw today.

Firstly, the ground looked terrific and credit to all the work that’s been done around the place. Obviously disappointing to lose but Penicuik didn’t do enough to win the game. Neither keeper had that much to do apart from 1 good save each. Both defences did their jobs and your left back marshalled our pacy front pair well. If a goal was to come it always looked like being from a set piece/penalty for Musselburgh or a Penicuik counter attack. The pen looked liked one of those cases where the defender can’t do much about it as it was hit so hard. Seemed to be few complaints about it. Hopefully we’ll bounce back at the weekend and you can do similar damage to Tranent.

Agreed Slabs. Terrific saves by their keeper and the defenders threw themselves in front of a couple too. Camelon are a decent side and was glad Our goalie stood strong on their counter attacks. Once again a red card helped the cause, that must be 4 or 5 in or favour now, but our attacking style of play perhaps draws more fouls? Like the Jeanfield game it was one way after that. Credit to the management for changing things at half time when it wasn’t quite happening. 9/9 is beyond my wildest dreams…now for the Big Cup!

The Astro next to Penicuik park has not been fit for purpose but has now been relaid. I believe it’s the intention for all the U20 games to be played there from now on. Peffermill was being used in the meantime…

Goes without saying a terrific result for Penicuik. Jeanfield have been one of our bogey sides in recent years and they are a really good side. Lots of pace and a good passing side at high tempo. We hit the bar early on but Jeanfield were always looking dangerous. A great cross provided the first goal although i think it went in off a combination of head and shoulder. Both sides were playing nice football and the ref had very little to do for a good while but the red card that came changed the game massively. No doubt that the Jeanfield player was fouled but in tumbling head over heels he angrily kicked out towards the head of the Cuikie player. A straight red which nobody, not even the Jeanfield player contested. Penicuik saw out the half and despite early efforts in the second half Jeanfield had too much to do. Penicuik took control of the game and once the second goal went in it was pretty much game over. Further goals followed and with 5 different scorers including 3 of the subs it was a clinical way to end the match. Despite losing 5-6 starters and experienced players in the last year, and replacing them with much younger players we seem to have found the right blend of youth and experience which is working well. Paul Tansey is a great role model and is tireless week after week. We’ve had injury problems but now with a great team spirit plus consistency of selection its paying dividends. Great credit must go to Tony Begg and his team for putting together this group and we hope that whoever replaces Tony will keep the momentum going. Certainly the interim team are putting in a strong claim for the job.

Delighted with Penicuik’s start. More than half our team has been replaced with younger players and so a period of transition was expected. To be 100% after 3 hard games is testimony to the faith put in the young players. I challenge anyone to see 3 better goals in a single game this year ( see earlier highlights). As already mentioned though, many tough games await so we’ll just enjoy it while it lasts….

Turn the lights on, we’re on the way....

Yes, a fair summary. I thought if we’d got a 3rd it was game on but the penalty knocked the stuffing out of the comeback. We’ve not won in the league since we beat you before Christmas and the confidence is a little low. Finally, having been to most grounds this season I have to say that yours is the best grass pitch I’ve seen. How it’s in that good condition in February after all the wet weather is remarkable. With all the other refurbishment it’s very similar to Blackburn’s plastic version, which I also like. The lights worked too, mostly.

Yes thanks. Nice place to come and a cosy wee bar. Turned out I knew your Physio so had a chat with him before the game. Your number 7 was quite tricky so not sure why he came off, perhaps in case of a second yellow. Good luck going forwards, your set up deserves to be kept in the league...

One of the few bright moments from today. A good set up and ground which should’ve suited us. Lack of creativity in the final third costing us again and a defensive mix up allowing Blackburn to score. The last 10 was total kamikaze stuff as we threw the kitchen sink at it and Blackburn really should have scored from at least one of the chances as the countered whilst most of our team was upfield. A big result for them whilst 1 point from 12 looks a bit bleak for us. Still, it’s Linlithgow next week, something’s got to give....

Excellent. I’ll try it. The lounge, not the boot in the baws! Looking forward to it..

I look forward to the two Penicuik games. Will that be the first game under lights? Calls for some sort of celebration

Can’t argue with you too much there. After beating Broxburn and Tranent I thought we were in a strong position to progress up the league, but to then get 1 point from Whitehill and Jeanfield is very disappointing. Not to have a single shot in target today was also far from ideal. Just didn’t happen for us today.

Any coincidence that it was a good performance and Coyne wasn’t playing?

We’re going to need a bigger bus!

A great day out expected. Around 15 buses booked and plenty others making their own way. Should be close on 1000 coming if not more.

Have to agree with your match summary. Watching Stenhousemuir warm up I was filled with dread. To a man they appeared giants, fit, athletic, strong and well drilled. As the game started, unusually for us we were content to let them come at us and we didn’t close them down. Individually they appeared comfortable on the ball. But, As time went on we had the clear chances and they were restricted to long shots wide of the mark. Scoreless at half time left me thinking what might have been. 3 goals later, and still little from Stenhousemuir i couldn’t believe my eyes. Party time in Penicuik and another to come in Partick next month, regardless of the score. As has been well documented on these posts, the established teams be warned, change is coming, perhaps not quickly, but it’s happening. Cup runs such as this can only strengthen the ex-junior teams and results like this will become more common. Penicuik and Linlithgow have tough, but lucrative ties ahead. Broxburn have a real chance to progress and they can perhaps dream of a game changing tie in the 4th round. Good luck to all..

Well, fair play to your team Alan. They came out of the blocks flying with fast, direct and accurate football. Game over after 13 minutes and thanks for not rubbing it in further by missing the penalty. Honestly don’t know what’s wrong. Yes, we have injuries but that’s what a squad is for and I’m sure other teams suffer too. We’ve not gelled since the cup game. Signs were there on Wednesday against Sauchie but we got through it. Today, we were brutally exposed by 3 straight forward and similar goals. Hopefully we’ll sort things out but it’s bogey team HOB again next week (I think). Oh, and Norwich lost 5-1 at home too so a smashing day all round