Penicuik Athletic are confident that Tuesday’s Scottish Cup fixture against Clyde will take place as planned, with local volunteers helping to remove storm debris from the Montgomery Park pitch.
Club president Andy Penman said approximately 30 volunteers had offered to start the clean-up operation on Monday evening.
The match was originally due to be played on Friday but was postponed because the pitch was waterlogged. Strong winds from Storm Boelo then caused further disruption.
Penman said one side of the ground is bordered by ageing trees, leaving a considerable amount of debris scattered across roughly half of the playing surface.
He added that several falling branches had landed upright and pierced the turf.
Despite the debris, the pitch beneath remains in good condition, and the standing water from Friday drained away quickly.
Penicuik are ninth in the East of Scotland Football League Premier Division, while Clyde are tied on points with League Two leaders Stranraer.
The home side can draw encouragement from their 3-0 victory over Stenhousemuir at the same stage of the tournament in 2019.
Penicuik defeated Kilwinning Rangers in the opening round, with League One’s fourth-placed East Kilbride waiting to face the winner of this tie.
Penman described the occasion as his club’s cup final, with all 1,300 tickets sold for the 19:45 GMT kick-off.
He acknowledged that their league form has been inconsistent, possibly because of the distraction created by the cup run, but said the players are now fully focused on the upcoming challenge.
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