Points on board will make more of a Tynie difference to Welfare

Whitehill Welfare and Tynecastle both occupy mid-table positions in the Central Taxis Premier Division and are keen to distance themselves from the relegation zone when they clash at Rosewell tomorrow.

Whitehill's form has been erratic so far this season with some of their best results coming in cup competitions, although manager Paul Cavanagh realises that winning league games is of paramount importance.

"Since we were beaten 4-1 by Ormiston there has been a definite shift in the players' attitudes towards games," stressed Cavanagh. "That in itself is very pleasing although my main concern is that we have not been starting games particularly well and we appear to have been off the pace in these opening minutes. Nevertheless, our progress has been going reasonably well although still not up to the form which we showed in our pre- season games."

Whitehill have been strengthened in the past fortnight by the return of Daryl Devlin who scored a hat-trick in last Saturday's 3-2 win against Civil Service Strollers.

"Daryl's return has given us another option," said Cavanagh. "He has not been training for a long time and there is definitely more to come from him so it was important for him to get the full 90 minutes last weekend."

Turning his attention to tomorrow's vital league encounter, Cavanagh added: "Tynecastle will be our toughest game of the season so far and it is probably fair to say that they have not hit the heights they would have hoped for before their season started.

"No team in this Premier Division can count their chickens, because all the teams are so close to each other. There will be a lot of twists and turns before the end of the season and there is a long way to go.

"It is obviously vital for both Tynecastle and ourselves to pick up points sooner rather than later in what is probably the closest league for years. I have watched Tynecastle and they are young and enthusiastic so we have to match that enthusiasm. Previous games between the clubs have always been close affairs and tomorrow should be no exception with the added spice that Tynecastle have two former Whitehill players - Wayne McIntosh and Steve McCormack - in their squad. No doubt they will be trying to put one over on us but hopefully we have enough in our tank to set us up for a win."

Cavanagh has a full squad to choose from with the exception of long-term injury victims Gary MacBrayne and Steven Clee.

Meanwhile, the Tynecastle manager Murray Balloch, has a message for his own players prior to the kick-off. "Go out and keep things simple. Play the first pass you see, be tight defensively and when you create chances - take them."

Tynecastle's league form has been indifferent with two wins, four losses and a draw from their seven games, a fact which Balloch admitted when he said: "The table does not make great reading although I have to say that this is the worst season I have ever known for injuries. It is only in the last few weeks that we have been able to get our so-called first-team players back and, up until then, we just muddled through some games. A bonus has been the return of Gareth Thom to the back four and although we have done well in cup ties, I would rather have picked up league points.

"However, the plus point is that these cup games have allowed us to get more experienced players back in and there genuinely is a real buzz about the place."

Balloch, like so many of the Premier Division managers and coaches, has Spartans as his favourites to retain the title and said: "If any team can hold on to their coat tails as long as possible then there is a good chance of finishing second in the league. The league, other than Spartans, will be very tight with no gimmees in terms of opposition. Every point we get we will have to work for starting tomorrow against Whitehill.

"I watched them ten days ago and they are an attacking team with the pace of Scott Gormley, the threat of our former player Ross Allum and the drive in midfield of Andrew Kidd. Daryl Devlin came on as a substitute and he influenced the game.

"We will certainly have to be at our best to get anything out of the game. We will have to shut up shop at the back where we have been letting in silly goals by switching off for a split second. Our goalkeeper, John Gilbertson, has been outstanding and he has been keeping us in games. I'm quite sure that we can go to Rosewell and get a result."

Tynecastle have injury doubts surrounding Ross Elliot and Steven Sives while Robbie Arthur is suspended after being sent off last Saturday.

The action kicks-off at Ferguson Park, Rosewell at 2.30pm with admission prices at adults 4.00 and concessions 2.00.