Football: Aitchison predicts first encounter will be close

Published on Friday 27 March 2009 09:01

WHITEHILL WELFARE boss Gary Aitchison is relishing the challenge of his first-ever game in charge against Spartans.

And he had a stern message for his players: "This is a must-win match and nothing else will be acceptable."

Aitchison took over the managerial reins from Raymond Carr at the end of last season after the Rosewell club had clinched the Premier Division title and, in his fledgling career in the East Seniors, he has already lifted the Image Printers East of Scotland Qualifying Cup.

"I'm looking forward to pitting my wits against the big boys – Mike Lawson and Sam Lynch – who have done a great job at Spartans having won championships, cups and done well in the Scottish Cup. As a younger manager starting out on my career I would like to do as well as they have done."

Whitehill trail Spartans by two points, although they have played two more games than their visitors so Aitchison is probably spot on when he says it is a must-win game. Whitehill have lost only one league fixture out of 14 although they have drawn six of them.

"Tomorrow against Spartans is really a cup final – as are all of our remaining eight games," said Aitchison. "It is still a very tight league and a win tomorrow followed by another two or three victories would put the pressure back on leaders Dalbeattie Star and Spartans."

Aitchison will be without striker Kevin Haynes and there will be late fitness tests for midfield dead-ball expert Darren Pryde and defender Ross Johnston, who both missed last week's 0-0 draw with Lothian Thistle.

"We have players who can come in, as I regard every player in my squad as very good. I will not have to motivate any of my players ahead of such a huge game, all of which – from past history – are evenly contested."

Meanwhile, Spartans co-manager Mike Lawson, who was Whitehill's boss during many of their glory days in the 1990s, is aware that indiscipline problems could affect his side's run-in during the closing few weeks of the season.

Spartans had both Keith McLeod and Alex King sent off against Easthouses Lily last weekend and they will miss tomorrow's crucial encounter at Ferguson Park.

"Arguably, Keith and Alex are our two best players and, although Keith was sent off for retaliation and Alex for his second yellow card five minutes into stoppage time, I do not think that Spartans are a dirty or malicious team.

"These two players are missing a huge game tomorrow and may miss more games later on so only time will tell if indiscipline is going to affect our chances of winning the league title.

"On reflection, our 2-0 win against Easthouses was bittersweet because we collected all three points and had a shut out at a very tricky venue but we are now two players short against Whitehill.

"Our players have to use just a bit more common sense because, in general, I feel that we are guilty of giving away too many silly free-kicks."

In addition to McLeod and King, Daniel O'Donnell is unavailable and Kenyan David Etale is doubtful for Spartans.

"We don't have a big squad but we do have quality and Sam Lynch and myself would be happy with any starting XI," added Lawson. "We go to meet Whitehill at Rosewell and that is never an easy place to go. I had a very successful team there but that was last century, although it is still a place I never feel comfortable going to because it is always hard to get a result there.

"I have watched Whitehill twice in the past few weeks and they are a very good team who are the current league champions.

"They brought in some new players including Mark Ellis, Darren McGlashan and Mark Duthie so they have actually improved since last season. However, they appear to be drawing too many games. They have a good shape about them and are strong.

"We will have to make some changes, some through desire and others through choice. Whether that will be good enough to get a result I don't know. We are certainly not going to Rosewell for a draw – we are going to try to win and pick up all three points. Our philosophy this season is to concentrate only on the next game."

Lawson and Lynch may introduce Struan Preston to the starting line-up alongside Nicky Walker, while Gavin Malin and Donal Henretty seem certain to start in midfield.

Spartans captain Stewart Fowlie added: "We have players who can come in and make an impact. We know that we will definitely be in for a competitive game and we will be focusing all of our efforts on winning it."

The game will be refereed by one of Scotland's top whistlers, Willie Collum, who only recently was in charge of the Stuttgart v Zenit St Petersburg and next week he will be the fourth official for Romania v Austria.

The action kicks off at 2.30pm with admission prices at 4.00 for adults and 2.00 for concessions.

&#149 EAST Seniors First Division side Vale of Leithen are seeking applications for the position of first team manager. Anyone interested should contact secretary Alec Currie on 0795 280 694 or chairman Ken Brown on 0777 945 6991 for further information.