Selkirk 0

EoS PREMIER DIVISION



SELKIRK have to win their East of Scotland Premier Division match against Lothian Thistle this weekend if they want to avoid their fate depending on mathematical conundrums at the end of the season.

Their journey to Saughton tomorrow will not be an easy one. Lothian are two points ahead of the Souters and have two games in hand, although both teams have won the same number of games.

The coaching team at Yarrow Park will certainly have their work cut out for them ahead of this crucial clash.

Earlier this week, Selkirk assistant coach Ally McCulloch told The Wee Paper: "We remain focused on staying up and Lothian will be in the same frame of mind.

"We must also look to dig deep and be organised in our approach to what will be billed as the relegation battle, which will no doubt have a big bearing on who goes down."

A further headache for the Souters this weekend is that they may have lost the services of three crucial players to injury.

Outstanding keeper John Dodds, striker Craig Livingston and playmaker Craig Tyson are very influential players who may not feature in this fixture.

McCulloch added: "The one saving grace is that teams at the bottom often surprise you in many ways and the players who have been involved in the campaign throughout the year remain determined to stay up.

So, with a bit of luck, one or two of the players who may not have provided their very best can now deliver when we need them.

"The dice will roll and we will see where we end up, but the committed coaching staff will ensure the players are prepared for the task.

This, along with grit and determination – Borders style – will ensure we give it our best shot."

Selkirk's woes continued last Saturday when they were beaten by championship chasers Whitehill Welfare.

The hosts started as they meant to go on and it was only the defensive alertness of Selkirk's Andy Brown and Dodds that kept the scoreline at 0-0 at the interval.

Livingston had been carried off after 30 minutes following a clash with the dug-out and Selkirk were at the mercy of their hosts after the restart.

It wasn't long before Welfare went in front when the unmarked Scott Gormley ran onto a loose ball in the box and found his way past Dodds.

Goal number two came shortly afterwards when an Andy Doig cross found Gary Calder, who slotted the ball home easily.

Whitehill continued the onslaught and it was credit to Dodds that the scoreline wasn't doubled before the final whistle.