EoS PREMIER DIVISION
TOP of the East of Scotland Premier League they may be, but there is nothing about the mighty Spartans that Selkirk FC have to fear, according to team manager Mikey McKinnon, writes Fiona Scott.
The Yarrow Park boss was speaking following Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Lothian Thistle/Hutchison Vale which earned his team their first point of the season.
He told The Wee Paper: “That’s us off the mark now and hopefully there will be a lot more points to come. We’re certainly heading in the right direction.
“We are really looking forward to playing Spartans on Saturday. They may be top of the table but nobody in that league is unbeatable on the day and the Ainslie Park surface will suit our style of play. Here’s hoping for an upset.”
McKinnon continued his current squad-building exercise last week by signing up Hawick youngster Bruce Connelly as a back-up keeper for John Dodds.
“Bruce has been training with us on Monday nights and training and playing with Oxgangs Under-17s on a Wednesday and Saturday respectively.
“He has now decided he would like to join us on a permanent basis which we are really pleased about as he and John work well together at training and it’s great to have a second keeper.”
Last weekend McKinnon’s men started brightly and went ahead on 17 minutes when Jamie Gibson found the back of the Thistle net.
The Souters were unlucky not to add to their tally and, with five minutes remaining, they were hit on the break and Craig Stewart put away the equaliser.
There were plenty of chances for Selkirk to go ahead in the second half, but the winning goal evaded the Borders outfit, who kept their heads up and defended well for the remainder of the match.
McKinnon said of the game: “We put on a 3-5-2 formation at the start of the game and it worked really well. Jamie Gibson had a great game and I would say he is easily the best striker in the East of Scotland leagues at the moment.
“Lothian changed there formation in the second half, which threw a spanner in the works a wee bit but the attitude of our boys was great and they continued to give a great performance.”
Selkirk: J. Dodds, L. Stephen, B. Milven, E. Pritchard, J. Higginbottom, J. Inglis, D. Battle, Ryan McManus, J. Gibson, D. Burdett, Ross McManus. Subs: A. Swailes, D. Boyne, W. Mercer, A. Campbell, B. Connelly.