Craigroyston 5
Kelso United 1
EOS FIRST DIVISION
GEORGE RILEY reports from St Mark’s Park
UNITED’S form seems to desert them going over Soutra and, on Saturday, they were beaten by a Craigie team which was full of confidence having defeated Vale of Leithen the previous week.
Kelso’s lack of match practice showed in the opening half and they were three down at the break. They rallied in the second half. Manager Prof Blaikie was disappointed but not too downbeat: “We were punished for our mistakes in the first half but the boys showed good spirit and we had Craigroyston under pressure for a spell in the second.”
United almost took the lead in the fourth minute when good interplay between Liam Wallace and Jordan Lauder saw the latter’s left-foot shot hit the right upright with Craigie keeper Stuart Burnside scramblingl.
The home team went ahead shortly afterwards when a bad pass was picked up on the left wing by John Dunn who crossed for Steven Moncur to rifle a shot past United keeper Scott Dowie from 18 yards.
Craigie went two up on the half hour when a poor clearance from Calum McClure was picked up at the edge of the box and found its way to striker Errol Douglas who side-footed a shot into the net.
On the stroke of half-time, the home team broke from a Kelso corner, and although Dowie parried the shot from Moncur, Douglas put the ball home.
United scored their goal just two minutes after the restart when Jordan Lauder swung a free kick into the box which was missed by everyone except McClure who slid the ball home at the back post.
Midway through the half Craigroyston made it four when Douglas knocked his header into the path of Hendrie who shot past Dowie.
Three minutes from time the boys in yellow made it five and again Dunn did the damage down the left with a forcing run into the box, supplying substitute Paul Lynch with a simple tap-in.
Kelso United: S. Dowie, G. Mabon (C. Webb), S. Angus (G. Gillie), D. McNulty, G. McNulty, S. Tait, C. McClure (S. Harker), D. Burnett, L. Wallace, J. Lauder.