Thistle spot on in cup clash

LOCHAR progressed to the third round of the South Challenge Cup after defeating East Premier outfit Penicuik Athletic on penalties. The affair, at Montgomery Park, in Midlothian last Saturday ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. In a rather scrappy first half both teams did not give much away defensively. Finlay Kennedy did test the home keeper with a 25 yard free kick, while Cammy Shaw was unlucky not to connect with an effort across the Penicuik goal. The second half was a little more action packed as the Lochar press began to take effect. Kennedy went close on a couple of occasions and full back Rory Copland also had two good opportunities to break the deadlock. Penicuik’s best chances came with a couple of glancing headers but Konar Pietsch had them covered as they crept by the Thistle post. The deadlock was eventually broken on 82 minutes and it was no more than what Lochar deserved, Kennedy released substitute Scott Milligan through on goal and with the goalkeeper off his line Milligan clinically lobbed the ball into the net. Penicuik threw bodies forward in the final minutes, with the clock ticking down an equaliser arrived on 94 minutes. A ricochet from a corner saw the ball creep in at the near post and send the game to penalty kicks. Two superb stops from Pietsch allowed Hugh Cameron to have an opportunity to win the tie. He held his nerve to slot home from 12 yards, making it 5-4 to Lochar, and seal progression into the next round. Thistle are back in league action this Saturday with a visit to Lockerbie to face Mid Annandale. Elsewhere, it was a day to forget for Abbey Vale as they lost 7-1 away to Maryhill. Ben Wallace got the solitary Vale goal. This weekend the New Abbey side are at home to St Cuthbert Wanderers in the league.