Berwick’s Damian Gielty (right) in action against Whitehill Welfare. Dean Hoskins is the other Berwick player.
Photo courtesy of John Blair
A Wayne McIntosh hat trick helped the East of Scotland League champions condemn Berwick Rangers to defeat in their fourth pre-season game in ten days.
McIntosh struck early with a fourth minute goal after Lee Currie gifted possession to the Rosewell side. Currie made amends six minutes later with a 25 yard low, curling shot into the Whitehill net. He was also responsible for distributing some great long passes about the field.
McIntosh scored again on 21 minutes after Whitehill broke quickly out of defence. The Welfare extended their lead whilst Berwick were temporarily down to ten men with Dean Carse off the field injured. Andrew Kidd crossed from the right and Kerr Dodds stuck out a foot to send the ball high into the net.
Carse took no further part in the game, replaced by Darren Lavery three minutes ahead of the break. Another substitute, Scott Dalziel, was on the pitch for only two minutes before supplying the pass from which Josh Morris pulled back a goal nine minutes into the new half.
Rangers continued to look vulnerable to speedy counter attacks and in the 73rd minute, McIntosh broke through to complete his hat trick. Berwick were not given a penalty when Currie was pulled off the ball after he worked his way to ten yards in front of goal and Morris missed an excellent chance after Currie and Dalziel opened up the home defence.
However, the Ferguson Park team proved tenacious opponents and on this form must fancy their prospects in the newly formed Lowland League.
Berwick again fielded several trialists of whom the most impressive was industrious midfielder Joe Hamill, ex-Raith Rovers.
Official attendance: 119