Gary Nicholson gets ready to celebrate putting Dalmore 1-0 ahead

Dalmore Boys Club won a tight match at Craigmount today with captain Gary Nicholson bagging both goals. All of the goals came in the second half with Dalmore deserving of their win on chances created and their overall attacking play.

Edinburgh City Colts will rue a number of good chances in the opening 35 minutes and despite a magnificent equalising free kick just couldn't produce enough on the day to grab a draw.

The new pitch at Craigmount had survived the winter weather and was firm underfoot despite more rain early Sunday morning. By the time the teams took to the field the rain had cleared and it was Edinburgh City Colts who took the initial stages of this match to the visitors.

Jack Thornhill and John Sanderson were prominent early on as the home side swept upfield with a supply of passes from Darren Harvey in midfield. Ryan Miller was also enjoying some early success and in six minutes he showed terrific skill to skip past the challenges of two defenders on the wide right before sending in a great ball across the six yard box. Unfortunately for Colts the low ball was missed by everyone and the chance went astray.

Edinburgh City were dominant in the early stages but Dalmore always looked lively on the break with Daniel Lyle, in particular, showing good footwork on the ball.

But it was Edinburgh City that remained most likely to score and in 24 minutes they should have went ahead. Ryan Miller played a great through ball to release John Sanderson on the left hand side but he shot straight at the goalkeeper and Kyle Hannah saved comfortably.

A minute later and Dalmore had their first real chance of the match. Gary Nicholson lobbed a high ball in behind the Colts defence and Daniel Lyle took it into his stride before shooting just wide of the right hand post and into the side netting.

Dalmore were now looking increasingly dangerous. Suddenly, they were getting more players into forward positions and forced a succession of corners that put City onto the back foot. But the referee brought the first half to an even conclusion with honours just about fairly split.

Half Time 0-0

Dalmore immediately pressed in the second half and two minutes after the restart they took the lead. A corner on the right was driven into the front post where it rebounded off the woodwork and fell into the path of Gary Nicholson to drive it high into the net off the underside of the bar from six yards out.

But the visitors lead didn't last long. On 39 minutes Edinburgh City were awarded a free kick 25 yards out on the left hand side of the narrow pitch. Lewis Bain, who had put in a terrific shift during the first half, stepped up and sent a high shot into the top right hand corner well out of the reach of Kyle Hannah. A brilliant strike from the impressive Bain.

Both sides then went on all out attack as space opened up but it always seemed that Dalmore would now be more likely to get a winner.

There was a lucky escape for City's replacement goalkeeper, Liam Taylor, on 55 minutes as he was left stranded on the edge of his box after a flying tackle with his feet. But the netbound shot by Ross Knight was cleared off the line by Rhys Greenhill with his head. Greenhill did brilliantly to spot the danger and provide cover for his goalkeeper.

Then it was City's turn to go close as another dangerous free kick by Lewis Bain broke in the box to Ryan Miller but he could only stab wide of the right hand post.

On the hour, Dalmore scored what was to prove the winning goal. Another corner on the right did the damage and this time captain Gary Nicholson rose unchallenged to head the ball home from the edge of the six yard box.



With City throwing players forward Dalmore started to exploit the space left at the back and but for some excellent goalkeeping from Liam Taylor and a little better finishing they would have increased their lead in the final 10 minutes. Gary Nicholson had a chance for a hat-trick and Ross Bryden and Ross Knight both had clear openings to score.

In the end these chances didn't matter as Dalmore comfortably closed out the match to edge it 2-1, much to the delight of the large support from Penicuik.

Full Time 1-2

Both teams did well in cold conditions and always tried to play passing football. Lewis Bain has a terrific "engine" in him and was always prompting attacks or tackling to win the ball back in the centre. A terrific goal added to his all round display. Jack Sanderson also did well and Darren Harvey had a great first half. Ryhs Greenhill had an excellent game at sweeper and Jack Thornhill did well up front. Liam Taylor had a very good second half in goals.

For Dalmore, Daniel Lyle always looked lively as did Jamie Samuel and Ross Knight. Big Daniel Mason had a strong game in defence looking both composed and imposing. Dalmore, as a unit played very well in the second period.

But the Pink Man of the Match award goes to two goal hero Gary Nicholson. He played a true captain's part from the middle of the park. Always looking to lead his team forward and defend when required and he took both of goals very well. A great all round performance.

Gary Nicholson