Crunch time in Borders

Mar 20 2009

IF YOU could choose a ground to go to for a must-win match, Mansfield Park, Hawick, would be well down your list.

But that’s the task facing Stirling County tomorrow (Saturday) as the Bridgehaugh men tackle the Greens in a game which is vital for both clubs.

Defeat for Stirling would virtually consign them to Premiership Two next season while a win would keep their slim hopes of staying up alive until their final fixture at home to Boroughmuir next Saturday.

It could have be so much rosier for County had they managed to win their last three league games against Selkirk, Melrose and West of Scotland – games in which they have led before fading.

Selection convener John Wright admitted the losses have been frustrating.

“The third-quarter collapse hasn’t helped us,” he said. “We have to close games like that out and we can’t afford to miss chances.

“We could have been sitting pretty – instead the Hawick game will be like a cup final.”

The famous Borders club face relegation for the first time in their history and their fans will be behind them when they run out to take on County.

“Mansfield Park is a tough place to go to at any time,” said Wright, “but with them sitting near the foot of the table they will be well up for it.”

County make a few changes for the game with Jonny Hope (pictured above) coming in at full-back and Stuart Wilson at centre. Alex Moffat has declared himself fit but there will be no Robbie McGowan or Danny Gilmour, both on under age Scotland duty.

The squad named is: Hope; Lindsay, Wilson, Addison and Aitken; Archibald and Calder; Hunter, Moffat and Mountford; McFarlane and Gilchrist; Clarke, Deacons and Eadie. The replacements are Davies, Graham, McCrorie, Hill and Bryce.