East of Scotland Premier League – Saturday 25th February 2023
Blackburn United 4 Hutton 1, L.Meikle 33, Devine 77, Otonti 90+5
Penicuik Athletic 2 Hendry 44, Furness 46
Right from the kick-off Blackburn went ahead, a cross into the box from the right by Laurie Devine was sliced into the air by Darrell Young, Greg Page headed back towards keeper Robert Watt but Richie Hutton nipped in and headed past Watt after only 28 seconds.
On eleven minutes Callum Heath curled an effort just over Watt’s bar before at the other end the visitors had their first clear chance but Andrew Mair’s effort was tipped over by Craig Saunders.
The lead was increased just past the half hour mark when, after good work by Devine and Heath, Luke Meikle turned and rifled a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
As the game moved towards the break Penicuik got a foothold back in the game. An overhit corner appeared to be running out but a push by Adam Forrest was deemed to have been inside the box by referee Brent Falconer, a surprising decision. Taylor Hendry converted the spot kick.
As happened in the first half, a goal was scored almost right from the kick-off when a long booted clearance out of defence was nodded on and Jack Furness latched onto the bouncing ball on the right hand side of the box where his audacious lob back across goal found the back of the net giving Saunders no chance.
Chances were few and far between but the last fifteen minutes burst into life, first Hendry broke free and tried to lob Saunders but his effort drifted wide, but two minutes later Blackburn grabbed the lead when a Scott Richards searching pass found Laurie Devine on the right-hand side of the area, he latched onto the bouncing ball and unleashed a first time volley past Watt into the far corner.
Four minutes later he almost had a second when from a David Howe free kick, Devine’s glancing header hit the inside of the post but was booted clear.
Moving into injury time Hendry had the ball in the net for an equaliser but the assistant already had his flag up for offside. With time running out Penicuik won a corner, Saunders punched the effort clear and Jerry Otonti ran onto the loose ball from just outside the box and set off towards the Penicuik goal where he ran almost the full length of the pitch before stabbing the ball past Watt in the last kick of the game.
Blackburn United: Craig Saunders, John Binnie (James Mildren 72), Kyle McClung, Adam Forrest, Marcus Millar, Scott Richards, Callum Heath (Kyle Sampson 77), Daryl Meikle, Laurie Devine, Luke Meikle (Jerry Otonti 72), Richard Hutton (David Howe 77). Unused subs; David Wilson, Joe Osborne, Jakub Welna.
Penicuik Athletic: Robert Watt, Taylor Hendry, Andrew Mair, Darrell Young, Greg Page, David Edwards, Gregor Lamb (Nicolas Salazar 90), Russell Cairns, Gregor MacDonald (Jack Furness 25), Reece Hope, Andrew Forbes. Unused subs; Ryan Baptie, Matthew Crombe, Paul Thomson, Sean Calder, Kyle Leiper.
Referee: Brent Falconer Assistants: Andrew Simmonds, Callum Donald.