Paul Simpson steals the show as Sauchie beat Penicuik

IT WAS the Paul Simpson show at Montgomery Park; the winger helped himself to a hat-trick as Sauchie Juniors beat Penicuik Athletic. 

There was only one change from last weekend’s disappointing draw against St. Andrews United: Sam Davidson came into the starting eleven in place of Finn Malcolm.

Fraser Duncan spoke on more consistency with his starting eleven, something he had struggled with at the start of the season.

He said: “The team is starting to settle down, we still do have a couple of guys out, but we are getting them up to speed.

"We do have a strong squad, which is good, that includes young Tom (Harrison) in at left-back, he’s one of the 20s that we’ve decided to take up to the first team for the next few months.”

It was a bright start for the visitors, Sam Davidson having his effort from close range saved by Dale Cornet and then Josh Gemmell having his attempt from the free-kick cleared from danger.

Penicuik also had their chances, shots from Andy Forbes and Robbie Neave, but there certainly needed to be more to trouble the Sauchie back four and goalkeeper.

Paul Simpson would open the scoring after a cross-park pass from captain Scott Davidson to Connor Willaghan, the winger having a shot from distance to beat the helpless Cornet. 

It could be argued that there was a deflection on its way to the net, but the former Linlithgow Rose man claimed it as his own, and rightfully so.

Just five minutes into the second half, Reece Rintoul was sent for an early bath following a second yellow offence, for which Sauchie’s Ross Kavanagh was on the receiving end of.

Disgusted with the challenge, Duncan offered: “They were reduced to ten men, and quite rightfully so, it was a horrible tackle and very high.

"It shouldn’t have been so high, Kav has put his foot on the ball to control the ball, and the player has then kicked at knee height.

"These challenges are not acceptable anymore, you just don’t get away with them.

"Going down to ten men though, can sometimes make it harder, I felt that it did for 10 minutes; Penicuik came right back into the game.”

Sauchie’s Rhys Caves had the first opportunity of the second half, a lay-off from Simpson at the free-kick, but the goalkeeper would gather to deny Caves his first goal for the club.

Sam Coats came agonisingly close for the equaliser, missing from the finest of margins when his teammate Aaron Somerville’s shot was pushed to his feet by Sean Robertson.

Coats would see his attempt inside the box sail over the bar while everyone connected with the visitors breathed a sigh of relief.

Simpson did get his and the team’s second; a layoff from Kavanagh allowed the free winger a shot into the far corner from inside the box.

The hosts found themselves with a goal back no less than five minutes later, and a failed clearance from Robertson from a pressuring Ben Wardlaw gave Sommerville a chance to threaten.

Sommerville would give Wardlaw the ball back as he struck home for what may have been a lifeline with just under 20 minutes left on the clock.

With the game heading into the final moments and both teams pressing for the next goal, Penicuik an equaliser and Sauchie the all-important third.

It would be that man again, Simpson, getting the next and final goal of the game, another goal and his hat trick to round off a perfect performance.

Excellent hold-up play from substitute Danny Smith meant he could place a ball on a plate for his teammate to seal the three points for the Clackmannanshire side.

Reflecting on the game, Fraser Duncan told Advertiser Sport: “It was a great result, in very difficult conditions and with a heavy pitch, the guys were even struggling to warm up and keep their feet. 

"We did find it difficult during some passages of play to try and move the ball about.

"It was a great three points; like I said to the boys, we’ve got to win our battles and dig deep, which we did.” 

Duncan also couldn’t hold back the praise for his three-goal hero: “It’s difficult to speak about individuals, I don’t like doing that, but I’ve got to be honest, Paul Simpson’s performance was outstanding.

"For a player who thrives on getting the ball down and running at people, and for him to be able to do it on that surface was absolutely unbelievable.

"I remember watching videos of how players used to run on pitches that were horrendous, but for me, Paul was every bit as good as that.

"Running at players, cutting inside, cutting outside, just the way he took his three goals as well.”

Advertiser Sport also caught up with Paul Simpson, who assessed his performance.

He added: “Absolutely buzzing to score three, it was a great feeling and to get the three points as well.

"When I got the second, I’m just hoping to get another chance, and thankfully, after a good bit of play from Danny, it’s fallen for me.”

Sauchie Juniors’ last fixture before Christmas sees them take on Hutchison Vale. This is a previously rescheduled match between the two sides following an earlier postponement, now scheduled for Saturday December 21, with a 2:30pm kick-off.

Sauchie Juniors: Robertson (Burt 72’), Willaghan, Harrison, Sc. Davidson, Thomson, Simpson, Caves, Kavanagh (Smith 72’), Sa. Davidson (Morgan 72’), Griffiths (McDowell 67’), Gemmell (Malcolm 58’).