Penicuik Athletic expects its rescheduled Scottish Cup fixture against Clyde to proceed on Tuesday evening following a community effort to clear storm debris from the pitch at Montgomery Park.
Community Effort Following Storm Damage
The match was originally scheduled to be televised on Friday but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Subsequent high winds caused by Storm Boelo caused further disruption, scattering debris across the playing field.
Club president Andy Penman told BBC Sport that around 30 volunteers offered to assist with the cleanup on Monday evening to ensure the ground was ready for play.
“The ground on one side is surrounded by fairly old trees and there is a substantial amount of debris strewn across about 50% of the pitch,” Penman explained. He added, “We’ve had branches coming down and actually going into the surface vertically.”
Despite the fallen branches, Penman confirmed that the playing surface itself suffered no lasting damage. “Underneath it all, the pitch is in fine condition. The rain that was lying on Friday has disappeared very quickly,” he stated.
High Stakes for Non-League Hosts
Penicuik currently holds ninth place in the East of Scotland Football League Premier Division, while Clyde sits level on points with League Two leaders Stranraer. A sell-out crowd of 1,300 spectators is expected for the 19:45 GMT kick-off.
“This is our cup final,” Penman said regarding the magnitude of the match. “We’ve been up and down in the league, probably distracted the by the cup run. Now the players are just looking forward to the challenge.”
The host side previously defeated Kilwinning Rangers in the first round to set up the tie. Penicuik also draws confidence from past success in the competition, having defeated Stenhousemuir 3-0 at the same stage in 2019. The winner of Tuesday’s game will progress to face East Kilbride, who currently sit fourth in League One.
