Kelso United 0
Peebles Rovers 0
EOS FIRST DIVISION
GEORGE RILEY reports from Woodside Park
DEFENCES came out on top in this physical, but fair, encounter.
On a heavy pitch, chances on goal were few – and those that were created were well dealt with by the keepers. Although both teams had not played for a few weeks, it was a competitive meeting and the sides could not be accused of lack of effort.
The visitors had first sight of goal after five minutes. Michael MacKenzie played a through ball to Duncan Smith and although the winger got to the ball just before United keeper Scott Dowie, the No. 1 saved with his legs.
Kelso then had an opportunity when a cross from the right was met by Liam Wallace, but the midfielder’s header went straight into the arms of Peebles goalie Scott Gordon.
In the 12th minute, Peebles’s Craig Edgar left the pitch for Calum Prior whose first touch was to clatter Steven Tait at the edge of the home box and earn a yellow card.
A defensive mix-up in the home defence allowed Nicky Cairns a shot, but this went well wide. A cross-ball from the left found Peebles’ Jamie Adamson in space, but the midfielder blasted his effort over the bar from the right-hand edge of the box.
Nearing the half-hour mark, United exerted some pressure on the visitors’ goal and shots by Chris Black and Jordan Lauder were blocked by the rearguard. This was followed by Kelso’s best chance of the game when Des Burnett crossed to Liam Wallace in the box. The midfielder’s shot was well saved by the Peebles keeper at point-blank range.
Dowie did well to tip a rasping 20-yard effort from MacKenzie round the post just before the break.
Ten minutes after the restart Gordon had to look lively to touch a cross-come-shot from Chris Black over the bar.
A good run by Burnett down the left beat the defence and his cross just missed the incoming Wallace.
Peebles nearly stole the match in the 75th minute when a deflected shot from Paul Hunter saw Dowie having to get down quickly to smother the goal-bound effort.
A cross from Rovers full back James McQuinnie almost fell to Duncan Smith at the back post with the winger inches away from making contact.
Kelso United: S. Dowie, J. McCutcheon, S. Angus (G. Gillie 82), D. McNulty, G. McNulty, S. Tait, C. McClure (G. Mabon 82), C. Black (S. Harker 87), D. Burnett, L. Wallace, J. Lauder.
Peebles Rovers: S. Gordon, J. McQuinnie, G. Young, A. Williamson, M. MacKenzie, G. Shortreed, J. Adamson (J. Manson 68), C. Edgar (C. Prior 12), N. Cairns, D. Smith, P. Hunter.