Hawick Royal Albert2
Ormiston0
Royal Albert ended a season of ups and downs on a high note with excellent goals in each half guiding Graeme Chadwick’s men to a worthy win.
It’s a win that saw them gain three points that cemented a seventh place position in the East of Scotland First Division – Hawick’s highest finishing league spot for several seasons.
Albert opened the game in determined fashion and forced a succession of corners.
It was Ormiston, however, who were first to create a scoring chance. In a sweeping raid, Brian McEwan sprayed a pass to the feet of Scott Wright, who fired wide.
Andy Noble almost put Royalists in front when rifling a Ronald Fleming pass just past the target.
Hawick continued to push for a goal and in the 27th minute, one arrived.
Fleming’s cross found Kevin Strathdee and the Albert striker produced a spot-on finish.
Minutes later a slick passing move involving Cairns and Strathdee tore a gap in the Ormiston defence, but visiting keeper David Simmonds saved well from Strathdee.
Hawick were on top for the rest of the first half and at the beginning of the second period began to push even harder.
Noble clipped the bar with a thunderous drive and Strathdee came close to notching a second goal following good play between Paul Brown and Graeme Young.
Just on the hour mark, Hawick received a jolt when Fleming was given his marching orders for foul and abusive language towards an opponent.
The 10-man Teries, however, took this on the chin and two minutes later went further in front.
After racing on to a Young pass, Strathdee drove in a shot that was pushed away by Simmonds. Noble stepped in to blast the rebound high into the rigging.
Ormiston came bouncing back and Albert number one Dean Fry proved his worth in keeping out an effort from Richard Weir.
Operating with three men up front, Ormiston pushed for goals from here on, but failed to make any headway against a resolute Albert defence that gave absolutely nothing away.
Hawick manager Graeme Chadwick told The Southern: “I thought we played very well and it was a good way to finish the season.
“Even when we went down to 10 men, we were in control and we also played some good football throughout the game”.