First game back proves one to remember

The game was switched from Ferguson Park, Rosewell, at the agreement of Whitehill and St Mark's Park was a tribute to head groundsman Rab Currie.

Whitehill kicked off with the benefit of a slight breeze behind them and they squandered a good opportunity in the opening minute when Andrew Kidd threaded a pass to Scott Gormley who rushed through unchallenged but saw his shot well saved by Michael Atai.

Daryl Devlin then found himself in a similar situation but pushed his effort wide then Andrew Kidd fired a shot past the post as Whitehill threatened to score from every attack.

However, Steven Manson was very impressive from his wide attacking midfield role for Craigroyston and he caused the Whitehill defence some problems while, on the other flank, Steven Finlayson cut inside two defenders and his shot hit the side netting. Manson then tested Youssef Bejaoui with a rising shot which the keeper held confidently above his head.

The action flowed from end to end and Devlin was frustrated by good goalkeeping from Atai then Darren McGlashan had a 20-yard shot headed clear, a Devlin corner was acrobatically punched clear and Gormley was again denied by a good blocking save from Atai. Cameron fouled Ross Allum on the edge of the box but Jordan Hall blasted the free-kick over the bar.

Craigroyston finished the first half on the offensive when Ubong Umotong had a shot well saved by Bejaoui, Finlayson beat two defenders then directed his 16-yard shot wildly over the bar and with Dean Jones racing through on goal he suddenly pulled up with a hamstring problem.

Although Whitehill had created more chances, Craigroyston were still very much in the contest and should have taken the lead only nine minutes into the second half. Umotong won a corner which James Binnie fired into the box where Keith Pullen bulleted a header downwards. Bejaoui did well to block the effort and when the loose ball fell to substitute Marc Robertson, son of Hearts legend John, only six yards out, he seemed certain to score but screwed his shot wide.

Craigroyston fell behind on the hour mark when they failed to clear their lines in the left back area of the park. The resultant cross from Allan Cornet was only half punched clear by Atai and the ball fell kindly for Gormley who turned and smashed a rising shot from eight yards into the roof of the net.

Two minutes later, Craigroyston again conceded possession in the same area which allowed Allum to tear in on goal and his intended cross took a wicked deflection off the thigh of Pullen and sneaked into the net at the near post.

The result was put beyond doubt when Craigroyston were reduced to ten men in the 72nd minute. Gormley fouled Stephen Sproule and the Craigroyston player aimed a kick at the Whitehill striker. Gormley was given a yellow card while Sproule saw red.

Gormely should have scored with a point-blank header, McGlashan had a snap shot which was only inches wide and Jordan Caddow saw a powerful shot beaten away by Atai.

Gormley said: "It was hard coming back after a long lay-off and although we played some not bad football in the first half, the killer pass was not there. We played better in the second half although we needed a wee bit of luck when the ball fell for me and I just turned and hit it."

Paul Cavanagh, the Whitehill manager, said: "There are obviously still some cobwebs to be wiped off because we were at times unable to keep possession of the ball. After half-time we did keep the ball and pass it although we were unable to force the issue through. Also, their goalkeeper made a few good saves. Overall, we have got to be happy - the performance was not great but we got the desired result and it was 90 minutes under our belt."

Michael Stewart, who made his debut for Craigroyston, said: "I was fairly happy with my debut and am now looking forward to the challenges ahead."

Craigroyston manager George Bowmaker added: "We knew that the first game was going to be so important and then we lost possession to allow Whitehill to score. The sending off was silly although with ten men we did okay.

"I told the players that I was 80 per cent pleased with them and we showed that we are not a bad side. We have the ability and all we need now is consistency and professionalism."

Craigroyston: Atai, Sproule, Cameron, Stewart, Pullen, Binnie (Dodd, 68), Manson, Hay, Umotong, Jones (M Robertson, 44), Finlayson. Subs: K Robertson, Fallon, Addison.

Whitehill Welfare: Bejaoui, Cornet, Morrison (Lunn, 46), W Kidd, Adamson, McGlashan, Allum (Caddow, 63), Hall, Gormley, A Kidd, Devlin. Subs: Taylor, Beattie, Haldane.

Craigroyston 0

Whitehill Welfare 2