PENICUIK ATHLETIC (Penicuik Park)

EAST REGION SUPERLEAGUE, PENICUIK ATHLETIC 2-4 SAUCHIE JFC, ATTENDANCE: 163 (h/c)

As is now tradition at this time of year, I headed North to Scotland to watch Penicuik Athletic wrap up their season with a home game against Sauchie Juniors.

2014/15 was Penicuik's first season back at the top table of East Region football after being reformed in 2002. The club were originally founded in 1888 but went into abeyance in 1990 after their Eastfield Park was sold off to a supermarket chain in order to clear the club's debts.

After efforts throughout the 1990's to keep the name alive, and find a new home in the town, the club finally secured a pitch in Penicuik Park. 

This ground is fully enclosed (though you can watch through the fence if you are that way inclined, as indeed some tightwads were doing) and has cover down two sides of the pitch. There is a food hatch in the changing room block where you can get the usual football fayre.

There is no social club so pre-match supping took place in the nearby Navaar House, where a pint of Ossian went down well in the glorious Scottish sunshine.

Considering both teams were playing for nothing but pride, the game was a superb watch and a fine advert for Junior football.

Neil Jancyzk gave Penicuik the lead after 29 minutes before Iain Diack levelled for the visitors after 42 minutes (left). 

To compound Penicuik's misery moments later they were reduced to 10 men when was sent off after receiving his second yellow card.

Sauchie began the second half with a bit more urgency and they soon raced into a 4-1 lead. Goals from Gary Bonnes, Daniel Ashe and ex-Falkirk striker Collin Samuel (right) who also played in the 2006 World Cup for Trinidad and Tobago. Jancyzk scored his and Penicuik's second with 10 minutes remaining.

A great afternoon at Penicuik Park was made complete, for my good self anyhow, when I scooped up £20 star prize in the half time raffle. Happy Days!

Highlights of the game can be viewed here and if you look closely you may be able spot yours truly in the crowd.