A Roselea win would mean a gap of three points between them and the visitors with a game in hand whilst for Penicuik it could be their last push to get away from the bottom three places with games running out. It was a proverbial six pointer.
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he frost had all but been washed away and the rain was the biggest threat to the game come midweek. Both teams were surprised to find a very firm pitch awaiting but a chilly North Easterly wind meant it was going to be a game of two halves.
Roselea had Steve Kerrigan back from suspension although Matt Miller was serving the second of his two games. Ryan Strachan made a welcome return to the starting line up following injury.
Long term injury victims David Craig and Colin Page were the other absentees along with the unavailable Jonny Mitchell.
Roselea were facing the strong wind which was blowing towards the Town End in the first half. They had the first chance of the game and got a break from the officials as Calum Watson looked offside as he broke on the right. He bore down on goal and shot just wide from a tight angle.
Johnny Harvey was looking lively for Penicuik and he shot just wide from long range after taking a throw in to his feet and swivelling past his marker.
Penicuik opened the scoring in 7 minutes with a soft goal from a Roselea point of view. Harvey turned in the box and hit a poor shot across the Roselea 6 yard box deceiving Mcleod in the goal and Ross Montgomery nipped in to slot home from close range.
Roselea were struggling to get any moves together to release the Penicuik pressure. It was no surprise when they doubled their lead in the 27th minute. Steel sent in a long free kick which the troublesome Harvey nodded into the path of Craig Miller who took an excellent touch and slotted past the advancing Mcleod.
Right on half time Mcleod had to be alert when Gay stole in behind Reoch and the Roselea number one did well to hold the winger's effort.
Roselea came out for the second half with a different attitude and made a positive start with a chance in the 48th minute. Reoch got a break from the referee when the ball hit his hand and he cut it back to Kennedy whose shot was deflected over the bar.
Roselea had the upper hand and a great Kennedy free kick had to be defended on his own line by Gallagher.
Penicuik had two great chances to close the game out in the 61st minute. Montgomery lost Rae on the left hand side and cut back to Gay whose goalbound shot was deflected behind by Whyte although the referee awarded a goal kick. Gay had a better chance to make it three from an identical move but volleyed wide with the goal gaping.
Roselea then had a double chance when a long ball found Kerrigan and Bald turned his shot behind for a corner. From the corner, the ball broke to Graham who managed to sky over the bar from close range with his right foot.
Roselea finally got a break that their play deserved with a very unnecessary penalty in 71 minutes from a Penicuik point of view. The ball appeared to be running out of play with Strachan closing it down and Bald slid in and brought the Roselea player down with little danger to the goal. Ewan Graham stepped up and wrong footed Bald to atone for his earlier miss.
Roselea could sense a way back into the game and Kennedy should have done better from a Hood cross but elected to take a touch when a header might have produced a better result.
Roselea huffed and puffed and had two late penalty claims for holding in the box with one on Kerrigan particularly strong. There was still time for Roselea to continue their recent run of red cards when Kennedy received a second yellow for a tackle that was more frustration than anything else.
Penicuik held out and the cries of delight summed up the importance of the win to them.
This was a must win game for Roselea and could have started a survival bid. With seven games remaining time is running out and it will now take something of a miracle for them to survive in the Premier League.
There was no lack of effort in difficult conditions but once again chance taking separated the sides. This was Roselea's ninth single goal loss of the season.
Roselea have another chance to get some points on the board with a home fixture on Saturday (March 6) against Fauldhouse United. Kick off is at 2.30pm and Hospitality is available by contacting Roy Gill on 07908 763219.
Roselea: Mcleod, Mustard, Graham, Whyte, Doug Craig, Strachan, Kennedy, Fotheringham, Rae, Reoch, Watson. Subs: Brand, Riach, Hood, Kerrigan.
