Tweeddale Rovers 3

Earlston Rhymers 0

THIS match was switched to the 3G in Galashiels to ensure it went ahead after a long line of call-offs.

Neither side had played since November and it showed as the game was not played at a high intensity.

Tweeddale Rovers were comfortable winners without hitting top gear.

First half goals from Grant Wilson and Blair Meikle gave them a cushion and Wilson added another with a free kick in the second period. It could have been more, although that may have flattered the ‘home’ side.

The rustiness was evident from the start with slow build up and a lack of energy the feature. Tweeddale were on top but didn’t manage to carve through their opponent’s backline with any regularity.

The opener arrived midway through the half. Ruaraidh McNaughton was the architect, jinking past two challenges before squaring for Wilson for a tap in.

McNaughton’s pace was getting him to the byline and into scoring positions but other than that one occasion he couldn’t find an end product.

Shaun Quinn had a couple of chances for Earlston with the score still at 1-0.

For the first he was offside, although Ryan Bertram still made a smart save from the effort. Quinn then wasted another chance, putting it wide from close in.

Meikle made it two from a Moray Macleod clearance. Rovers had been defending a throw in which Macleod cut out. Meikle latched onto his clearance before advancing on the keeper and toeing it past him.

Dale could have scored more than one in the second half as they dominated with the comfort of a two goal lead.

Wilson, Meikle, Stewart Mullins and Jamie Mackay all had opportunities. Mackay came the closest after a good move involving himself and McNaughton. But the keeper made a good stop from the substitute.

The goal that did come was from a free kick. Wilson took it quickly and stuck it in the corner with ease. Rhymers were not happy as they seemed to expect to be given all the time in the world to set themselves up.

Tweeddale’s second game of 2016 is away to Tweedmouth tomorrow (Saturday).

Tweeddale: Bertram, F Moffat (B Moffat), Rathie, R.Moffat, Macleod (Cockburn), McNaughton, Lindsay, R Meikle, Collin (Warren), Wilson (Mullins), B Meikle (Mackay).