Hawick United 3

Tweeddale Rovers 4

TWEEDDALE Rovers had to work very hard for their ninth league win in a row as they tightened their grip at the top of the Border Amateur ‘B’ Division.

Both the opposition and the conditions made it very difficult for them.

The pitch was barely playable but both teams were happy to go ahead with the game. There were various puddles on the pitch before kick-off and by the end the whole pitch resembled a bog, making things tough for both teams.

Hawick United took the lead through a speculative strike by Kevin Strathdee. It may have been affected by the wind but even still it was a piece of quality which was out of keeping with everything that had gone before.

Rovers began to get to grips with the surface, realising that a more direct approach was required.

Ruaraidh McNaughton had a chance to level but seemed to be caught in two minds between cutting back or going alone.

The same player made no mistake when presented with a similar opportunity. David Lindsay picked him out with a searching pass and McNaughton went through to score.

A quick second then saw Tweeddale take the lead and Lindsay was the scorer this time. The United defensive line moved up to play the strikers offside, but the young midfielder’s run from deep allowed him to advance into the box and unleash a low drive into the corner.

The lead was extended to two shortly into the second half. Moray Macleod had acres of space to run forward so he duly obliged before sliding a pass through to Grant Wilson in the box. Wilson took it first time, side footing past the goalie.

That made it seemingly comfortable, and the worsening conditions were making it hard for Hawick to do anything about it.

But as time was ticking, they did manage to start putting some pressure on.

Ryan Bertram made a stunning one-handed save from a free kick, as everyone else waited for the net to bulge.

There was nothing he could do though when a second goal did arrive. The slippy pitch also made things difficult for defending players which might have been a factor in Strathdee waltzing through the defence. His powerful strike then arrowed into the top corner.

McNaughton did his best to settle nerves when he dribbled into the box before cutting inside and shooting low into the net to regain a two goal lead with only minutes remaining.

But Tweeddale again failed to keep it shut at the other end. Strathdee’s shot was stopped by Bertram but the ball squirmed out of his grasp and Danny Bolton was following up for a tap in.

Dale managed to hold on for the win and maintain a five point lead at the top of the table.

Next up is another tricky away tie to Duns Reserves.

Tweeddale: Bertram, B.Moffat, Rathie, R.Moffat, Macleod, F.Moffat, Lindsay, R.Meikle, McNaughton, B.Meikle (Rogers), Wilson. Not used: Mackay, Smith, Hart.