Welfare have edge over Civil

Whitehill WELFARE maintained their recent good form with a competent 2-0 win against a Civil Service Strollers side who matched them in most aspects of outfield play but produced no cutting edge in the final third of the park.

The Strollers, with the aid of a blustery wind, dominated the opening 30 minutes but found themselves a goal down, after missing a penalty and having a “goal” disallowed.

Almost from the kick-off Liam Jack tried an audacious lob which dipped over the Whitehill crossbar before Scott Gormley brushed aside a Whitehill defender and went on to put the ball in the net. The referee awarded a goal but after consulting with his assistant an offside decision was given which certainly did not please the Strollers striker.

Whitehill’s first serious attack in the tenth minute saw them take the lead. Wayne McIntosh neatly back-heeled the ball wide left to Alex Munro who sprinted to the bye-line and crossed low to the back post where Aaron Somerville was lurking and he forced the ball home.

The Strollers were given the ideal opportunity to equalise in the 22nd minute when a throw-in hit the arm of Michael Bruce and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped Gormley, who hit the ball low to his left but Darren Walker in the Whitehill goal flung himself to knock the ball around the post.

The home side continued to have the bulk of the play with Jack heading over, Danny Rennie passing up on a good shooting chance and Gormley hitting a shot from 18 yards inches over the bar. Whitehill also had chances with Dayne Robertson testing Stuart Burnside, McIntosh had a shot blocked, Munro had an effort well held and Robertson’s free-kick was well covered by Burnside.

The second half started with the Strollers on the offensive and Jack brought out another good save from Walker before Gormley had a 20-yard free kick blocked by the Whitehill wall.

Midway through the second half Whitehill sealed their win when a long clearance from Walker was headed on by McIntosh from the edge of the penalty box. The wind assisted ball was fumbled by Burnside and McIntosh followed up to rifle the loose ball high into the net from close range.

Both sides had opportunities to score with Andrew Kidd and Stevie Manson going close for Whitehill while Gormley and Craig Anderson spurned chances for the Strollers. So Whitehill emerged with all three points to maintain their top half position. They are now six points behind the Strollers although they do have four games in hand.

Only four weeks ago the Strollers beat Whitehill 3-1 in what was Grant Carnie’s first game in charge of the Rosewell club. “To be fair I would not say it was revenge – it was just good to win,” said Carnie. “They beat us well in my first game so we have come full circle and I could see the difference in my players.”

Meanwhile Garry Aitchison, the Strollers manager, said: “We had more shots on target but we have to put the ball in the net. We will bounce back and I will have the players lifted for next week.”

Civil Service Strollers: Burnside, Burgess (Somerville 82), Campbell, Jefferies, Hogarth, Lynch (Wilson 46), Jack, Anderson, Dunn, Gormley, Rennie. Subs: Cadger, Inglis, Barbirou.

Whitehill Welfare: Walker, Herd, Thom, W Kidd, Bruce, Manson, Munro (Devlin 76), A Kidd, Robertson, McIntosh, Somerville (Boggie 83). Subs: Tansey, Young, Burstow.