Whitehill boss Hislop demands more from his players

Despite lying just three points adrift of third-placed Spartans in the standings, Whitehill Welfare boss Steven Hislop says he is disappointed with the start his side have made to the Lowland League campaign.

Steven Hislop with assistant David Bingham

The Rosewell club have collected ten points from their opening seven league fixtures including victories over Hawick Royal Albert, Selkirk and, most recently, Wednesday night’s 3-2 triumph over Gala Fairydean Rovers in the Borders.

That said, they have also dropped points to both Gretna 2008 and Dalbeattie Star despite having found themselves ahead in both encounters.

Tomorrow they make the short journey to East Lothian to face struggling Preston Athletic at the Pennypit with every intention of consolidating on their midweek boost.

“I’m a wee bit disappointed if I’m being honest and I think the players would be first to admit we’ve underachieved again,” Hislop said. “To only have ten points after seven games isn’t ideal. We went down to Gretna and went 1-0 up and didn’t win. We were 2-1 up against Dalbeattie Star last week and were pegged back so we know we should have won the games.

“We also were the better team against East Stirlingshire and ended up losing. But if you don’t take your chances then you’re not going to win games and that’s what I’ve tried to stress to the players. We need to be ruthless at both ends of the park.

“Gala is not an easy place to go. It’s a big park but the boys showed great character having been pegged back twice to go on and finish the job. We obviously go into every game wanting all three points. I have questioned their mental toughness in previous games this season but they went out and answered that on Wednesday night so it proves they’ve got that in them.”

Elsewhere tomorrow it’s a North Edinburgh derby as Civil Service Strollers welcome Spartans to Christie Gillies Park.

Visiting boss Dougie Samuel will be looking for an instant response from his side following Wednesday night’s 1-0 defeat at home to Cumbernauld Colts. Edinburgh University are up against Cumbernauld at Broadwood.