Youssef Bejaoui confident Penicuik can upset odds in final

Youssef Bejaoui reckons Penicuik have made big strides since he joined the club. Pic: TSPL

Penicuik Athletic captain Youssef Bejaoui knows cup final opponents Bonnyrigg are favourites to lift the Fife and Lothians Cup, but he insists his team-mates have got the belief that they can upset the odds.

The Cuikie were on the wrong end of a 4-0 defeat the last time the sides met 11 days ago, but boosted by the return of midfield duo Lewis Barr and Jordan Lister, goalkeeper Bejaoui is hoping for a completely different game.

“This is probably the biggest game we’ve had since I’ve been at Pencuik and with it being Bonnyrigg as well it’s a bit off a derby, which adds a bit more spice to it,” he said.

“The fact they won the league so convincingly as well and being a local team we want to try and set a marker down for ourselves for next year. Bonnyrigg are favourites, but we believe we can win it. We believe we can give anybody a game. There’s no pressure on us.

“We’ve beaten Bo’ness, Kelty and Newtongrange this season so on our game we’ve got the boys that can do it.”

Penicuik ended their Super League campaign a disappointing ninth after a sixth-place finish in their promotion year. Bejaoui admits this season has been a frustrating one, but ending it with silverware would highlight the strides the club is making.

He added: “Since I’ve been here we’ve had unbelievable growth. We got promoted, won the league and got to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup. This year hasn’t been that great but the club is improving.

“Tonight is probably our best chance to get silverware.”