Linlithgow Rose sent out a statement of intent after they thrashed Penicuik Athletic 5-0 to advance to fifth round of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, writes Kieran Polland.
With the two sides separated at the top of the EoS Premier Division by a point, Linlithgow fired a warning to their visitors that they had no intention of falling away in the final stretch of the season.
A brace from top scorer Mark Stowe along with strikes from Conor McKenzie, Callum Bremner, and substitute Alan Sneddon were the hallmarks of Gordon Herd’s most impressive result since he took over from Brown Ferguson a few months ago.
Linlithgow immediately started off on the front foot as Jack Ogilvie took advantage of a sleepy Penicuik backline to play in Stowe who fired past Robert Watt to open the scoring 13 seconds in.
Despite the early setback, Penicuik went about plugging away and found themselves in a dangerous position from a free-kick, only for Ryan Baptie’s effort to go sailing over the bar.
The exceptional Stowe, who was causing havoc for Penicuik whenever he roared down the wing, bagged an assist in the 18th minute as the Rose doubled their advantage.
His low through ball fell into the path of McKenzie who was more than happy to dink the ball over Watt.
Linlithgow could’ve been three goals to the good by half-time after Ogilvie’s mazy run down the wing and into the box saw him brought down by Gregor Lamb for a penalty, but Stowe’s effort cannoned off the crossbar and was safely cleared.
Just before half-time, Linlithgow came close to extending their lead again after Bremner attempted to guide the ball in with his knee, only for the shot to be blocked and a stramash from the corner calling time to the first half.
Bremner continued the proceedings for Linlithgow after he managed to stretch his effort past Watt in the 48th minute.
Striker Alan Docherty was a menace to the Penicuik backline with his constant pressing and hold-up play and it was his clever skill that allowed Greg MacPherson to swoop in and almost force an own goal from Penicuik’s Paul Thomson with his powerful cross.
Stowe was then given the chance to make amends for his earlier penalty miss when he won another for his side in the 66th minute. The winger made no mistake this time as he coolly slotted past Watt down his right-hand side.
From then on the Rose continued to keep Penicuik at bay, but there was still time for one more goal - much to the delight of the home crowd.
A swift counter-attack saw Sneddon through on goal and he tapped in to cap off an impressive display from the Rose.
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