IT'S a case of déjà vu for holders Whitehill Welfare as they clash with arch-rivals Spartans in this season's final of the Colin Campbell Sports League Cup at Prestonpans on Sunday.
The two teams met just four days ago in a King Cup quarter-final and, although Spartans emerged 2-0 victors that evening manager Raymond Carr felt that his side's recent packed fixture programme, as the Rosewell outfit charged towards the Tyreman Pr
emier Division title, was the root cause of their defeat.
"I felt that we competed very well for over an hour then it was like hitting a brick wall for my players," he said. "I thought that whoever scored the first goal would win and, because of our schedule of playing eight games in 18 days, we had to do something in the first 60 or 70 minutes."
Whitehill will win the league if they avoid an eight-goal defeat from Annan Athletic in their last game next week but before that Carr would like to add the League Cup to an impressive season for the Rosewell club.
He said: "Games against Spartans are always big because of the history between the teams.
"There is never much between the sides and they will definitely be up for it. Spartans have quality in every position, although we have players with a great desire to win and they are all desperate to lift this cup."
Two late goals from Donal Henretty settled Tuesday night's tie in favour of the City Park side but Carr does not believe it illustrated any kind of gulf between the two teams – and, in fact, he is confident that result will be reversed at the Pennypit on Sunday.
"The 2-0 scoreline probably flattered Spartans as I did not think that there were two goals between the teams," he explained. "Sunday will be a completely different game and I am confident that the outcome will also be different. I am hoping that the days off the players have had since Tuesday will stand them in good stead and they will all put on a real footballing performance.
"We have to get the balance right and my players need to play as a team by encouraging each other and showing a great desire to win.
"Basically, they have to want it more than Spartans. All of them must come off the park having put everything they could into the game. It has already been a successful season for Whitehill Welfare although we have won nothing yet. At the beginning of the season, as the result of a rebuilding programme, I would have been happy to be competing for a top three spot in the league and playing in one or two finals."
Carr has an injury doubt over regular goalkeeper Ryan McGurk, who limped off in midweek with a slight groin strain, while striker Scott Gormley is available after missing out on Tuesday because of suspension. His recent form has been superb, with a hat-trick against Edinburgh City at Meadowbank and a brace in the remarkable 7-2 win over Lothian Thistle amidst the thunder and lightning at Rosewell. In the Spartans camp, meanwhile, joint manager Mike Lawson is ready and waiting to halt the Whitehill bandwagon. His side's form stuttered when it mattered at times this season and, despite some forceful wins in the run-in, he was forced to watch the league title bid slip away as Carr's men made the most of their games in hand.
"Whitehill are a very good side who are generally bigger and stronger than us," Lawson explained.
"In the Premier Division, a few have fallen below the standards expected of Spartans and everyone can hold their hands up and say that we under-achieved. However, the players and management have something to prove and we could end up winning three cups this season. We need to show people that we are winners.
"Whitehill have all but won the league title so they can go out and enjoy the final on Sunday. They are the best team and no one can argue with that.
"My final message to our players will be to go out and pass the ball well. If a team does not retain possession by passing the ball then they cannot win games.
"At East of Scotland level I always think that Spartans are capable of winning every game. However, Whitehill have some exceptional players and it will be a big task for us."
Spartans will definitely be without strikers Keith McLeod, Struan Preston and Bob Mitchell, although Ross Campbell played in a more attacking role in midweek and Daniel O'Donnell is back to full fitness. The action kicks off at the Pennypit Stadium, Prestonpans at 2pm. Admission is £4 for adults and £2 for concessions. Extra time and penalties will take place if necessary.
The full article contains 821 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
