Whitehill all set to play at catch-up

Whitehill WELFARE boss Rab Paget is quietly optimistic that his Rosewell club can pick up all three points in their home game against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale tomorrow and set up a mouth-watering clash with league leaders Spartans next Saturday.

Whitehill currently trail Spartans by ten points although they do have three games in hand and Paget sees no reason why Whitehill cannot make up that deficit.

“I am confident that my side can win any game of football against any East of Scotland League opposition,” said Paget.

“Spartans currently have the points in the bag but it is up to every other club to try to close that gap.

“That includes Whitehill Welfare, and against Lothian Thistle tomorrow we face a tough test because on their day they are capable of beating any other team in the Premier Division.

“Don’t forget that Lothian Thistle finished third in the league last season, two points ahead of Whitehill, and I therefore regard them as a decent side.

“Their last manager until just before Christmas, Mark Lamb, is a personal friend of mine and I am mystified as to why he is no longer with them.

“However, they are now under the control of Raymond Carr, a very experienced manager who was, in fact, the last manager outwith Sam Lynch and Mike Lawson at Spartans, to win the East of Scotland League title in season 2007-2008 when he guided Whitehill Welfare to the championship.

“I know a few of their players, mainly those with a Leith Athletic connection from when I was a coach there.

“I also know that they have a top goalkeeper in Kevin Swain while defender Richie Wilkes is very strong and striker Joe Murray has had great experience in Junior football.

“We have had two very competitive friendlies during the break along with some hard training so we are ready for the run in to our title challenge.”

Whitehill will be without the suspended duo of Wayne McIntosh and Michael Bruce.