Westwood opened their league campaign off with a trip to Blantyre to face Hamilton Harvest. After a commendable third place and the Atholl Cup under their belt from last season, Westwood retained all of their squad from last year and also added David Hart from Clarkston along with Michael Dolan and Paul Mochan which will increase competition for places.
It wasn’t long before the Wessie picked up from where they left off last season, Davie Wilson showed he’s not just a goal machine, by slipping a slide rule pass into the path of lone striker for the day Stevie Nicholl, who coolly round the keeper and smashed into an empty net to give the visitors an early lead.
This should have spurred Westwood on to a higher gear, but they seemed to labour after taking the lead, and were almost punished after a Harvest striker’s 25 yard piledriver which McKenna in the Westwood goal spilled, but bravely collected at the 2nd attempt at the feet of an onrushing attacker. Harvest again went close after a free kick to the back post which eluded the Wessie defence, but the Hamilton striker fired wide.
Hamilton continued to show good energy and quick movement, but the back 4 of Baillie, Lynn, Mitchell and McGonigle held firm. With Steff McKenna and Danny Kellachan pressing and winning tackles in midfield, this allowed David Wilson to enjoy an advanced role just behind Big Nick, who was also supported with competitive debutant Mochan and last season’s joint player of the year Colin McGinty. As the first half wore on, Westwood regained some steadiness and began to cause the Hamilton defence some problems, but couldn’t get as many shots on goal as maybe they’d have liked to.
In the 2nd half, with a slight breeze at their backs, Westwood started well, with Stevie Nicholl forcing an excellent save from the Harvest keeper from a direct freekick. Wessie continued their pressure and after a superb run was by McGinty was unceremoniously ended inside the penalty area, the Wessie were given the chance to double their advantage. Skipper Graeme Lynn stepped up, but the keeper guessed correctly to stay down the middle and managed to clear with a trailing foot.
This seemed to give Hamilton belief and they took the game to Westwood with protracted spells of possession and pressure. They almost equalised when a 25 yard shot was put round the post by keeper McKenna’s outstretched left palm. The incessant pressure from Hamilton led to Manager Colin Wilson change the formation. This change paid great dividends as the extra man in midfield allowed Westwood to dominate the game and it wasn’t long till the lead was extended and the game was over as a contest.
Grant Baillie pounced on a loose ball and played a tremendous, weighted pass to Davie Wilson, who calmly lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper’s head with a sublime finish with his weaker left foot to put the EK boys out of sight.
The final whistle sounded 5 minutes later as the Wessie ensured a great start to the season, 2 good goals and a clean sheet to boot. Onwards and upwards !
Aye the Wessie !
