Whitehill on a late charge in title chase

Whitehill WELFARE kept their slim chances of lifting the East Seniors Central Taxis Premier Division championship title alive when they beat Leith Athletic 2-1 thanks to a late goal from defender Jim Young who scored after a goalmouth scramble.

The win moves Whitehill to within six points of leaders Spartans but with the same number of games played and, with only three games left, time may have run out for the Rosewell club.

Wayne McIntosh had volleyed Whitehill into the lead midway through the first half although Leith equalised within 30 seconds of the second half when Greig Tulloch netted from a Jack Combe cross.

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Kevin Twaddle, the Whitehill coach, said: “As the game went on we got stronger and stronger with some really good performances from a few players.

“Hopefully our unbeaten run of 15 games will continue and we can go to the end of the season and remain unbeaten.”

Whitehill gave a debut to former Linlithgow Rose defender Alan Brown who, according to Twaddle “had a fantastic game using his pace along with great deliveries”.

Derek Riddel, the Leith manager, said: “After we scored early in the second half we did not capitalise.

“We did not do enough although we were ever so close. However, staying in the Premier Division is still in our own hands.”

In the only other East Seniors top-tier game, Vale of Leithen eased themselves further away from the relegation area with a comfortable 4-0 victory against already-relegated Selkirk. Vale’s scorers were Scott Moffat with a hat-trick and a penalty from Jordan Hall.

Tonight, kick-off 7.30pm, there is a crucial Premier Division encounter between Edinburgh City, sitting comfortably in mid-table, and their visitors to Meadowbank Stadium, Lothian Thistle, who currently occupy second bottom spot in the table.

In the First Division, Duns entertain Berwick Rangers Reserves and Kelso United host Peebles Rovers.