Welfare out to consolidate second place

Whitehill WELFARE, who moved into second place in the Central Taxis Premier Division with their 7-3 weekend victory over Civil Service Strollers, face Edinburgh City at Meadowbank Stadium tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

Manager Mike Lawson said: “We want to be in the title race as long as we can and keep alongside both Spartans and Stirling University. Whitehill Welfare have not been in the mix for a few seasons.”

Midfielder Scott McCulloch is suspended after being sent off on Saturday while Lawson has two injury concerns although Alan Brown returns to the squad.

City drew 1-1 with Edinburgh University on Saturday although assistant manager Ross Macnamara insisted: “We did some nice things, especially in the first half, and we should have been out of sight. It was very frustrating.”

Dougie Gair, who missed out on Saturday because of suspension, returns to the City squad. Shaun Harrison is also available although striker Ross Guthrie injured a groin on Saturday and could be out for several weeks.