Lowland League: Belope gives Preston Athletic precious win

Preston deservedly secured three points at Selkirk thanks to a second-half strike from Jordi Belope.

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Selkirk had started the brighter at a very windy Yarrow Park and Phil Addison forced a good save from goalkeeper Chris Flockhart.

Addison then put the Souters ahead on 25 minutes latching onto a long pass to round Flockhart and score. The lead lasted only a matter of minutes, though, as Gary Nicholson’s corner was spectacularly volleyed into the roof of the net by Ross Cowan.

The second period produced end to end entertainment with Belope stabbing home the winner on 60 minutes from close range, converting a David Porcher free-kick. Both sides could have added to the scoreline, in particular Selkirk No.1 Jamie Newman doing well to prevent Belope, Nicholson and then Aaran Currie all from close range. Selkirk’ s Jack Hay almost levelled in the final minute but shot straight at Flockhart.

Selkirk: Newman, Samson, Christie, King, Ritchie, McDiarmid (McLeod), Collin (Handren), Robertson, Butler (Hay), Addison, McKenzie. Subs: Scott, Reynolds, Downie

Preston Athletic: Flockhart, Noble, Cochrane, Wilson, Cowan, Park, Porcher, Scott (Innes), Belope, McLoughlin (Currie), Nicholson. Subs: Pennycuick.