Image Printers Cup 1st Round, Saturday 27th January 2007

Whitehill Welfare 2 Ormiston 3

After a weather enforced break of two weeks, Welfare returned to a Ferguson Park playing surface which was still heavy and soft underfoot.

Kevin Swain took over in goal and Wayne McIntosh made a welcome return in front of a small crowd at kick-off time (no doubt affected by Bonnyrigg's big Junior Cup replay)

Whitehill got off to the perfect start in their Image Printers Cup tie with Ormiston when Wayne McIntosh put them ahead after only two minutes. Doig found Walker with a fine through ball and from the latter's cross McIntosh smashed the ball high into the roof of the net from twelve yards.

It was 2-0 on 27 minutes when McIntosh deftly chipped the keeper for a sublime goal and Welfare looked odd on to go on and win the match. Ormiston had other ideas though and pulled a goal back after 29 minutes.

The home side suddenly became somewhat complacent and were stunned agian when Swain was beaten by a curling shot into the corner of the net after 38 minutes to level the game.

In the 40th minute, a chain of events occurred to turn the game on its head. Walker was clipped by Ormiston's number 4 and uncharacteristically retaliated with a petulant kick. A melee resulted and Ormiston's number 9 squared up to McIntosh and with verbal exchanges taking place, McIntosh threw the ball into his opponent's face. Once the handbags died down, Walker was deservedly red-carded. McIntosh was then also called over and he too was red-carded, leaving the home side with nine men. Ormiston's number 9 was booked for his part in the histrionics.

Welfare almost edged ahead before half-time, but Doig hit the bar with a header from a superb free-kick cross from Pryde.

Welfare re-emerged with a 3-4-1 formation with McDonagh replacing Cornett. The home side then spent almost the entire half on the offensive. Malone was denied by a fine save when through on goal and then Ormiston went ahead with their only meaningful attack of the half. McDonagh almost salvaged the game for Welfare but was unlucky to see a well struck free-kick rebound from the bar.

Complacency followed by Indiscipline cost Welfare this game, as they had full control of the proceedings at 2-0.

Whitehill: Swain, Cornet, Lee, Johnston, Woodburn, Malone, Christie, Pryde, Walker, Doig, W.McIntosh. Subs:  Hart, McEwan, McDonagh, Carlin, Stewart.

Above: Waayne McIntosh is first to Nicky Walker's cross to open the scoring.

Above: A cool chip from McIntosh in the 27th minute is heading for the net.

Above: End result of the deft chip - it's a double for Wayne McIntosh.

Above: Walker kicks out to start a chain of events which would hamper Welfare badly.

Above: McIntosh throws the ball into the face of Ormiston's number nine.

Above: Walker sees a deserved red for a stupid kick at the Ormiston number 4.

Above: McIntosh follows Walker for his rush of blood to the head.

Above: Nine man Welfare almost went ahead but Doig hit the bar at the end of the first half.

Above: McDonagh (16) sees a superb free-kick effort rebound from the bar and With it went Welfare's last chance and an early exit from the Image Printers Cup!