An Aaron Somerville strike with 18 minutes left gave Whitehill all three points at Ferguson Park on Saturday.
With Gareth Thom injured, manager Rab Paget stuck with Kevin Moffat who finished last week’s match at left back.
In 10 minutes Whitehill almost took the lead when McIntosh took a pass from Andrew Kidd, but his shot was saved by keeper Tait. Soon afer, Sproule had a good run down the left which took him into the box, but he slipped at the vital moment. Soon afterwards he turned and shot from 18 yards but Tait saved. Then Robertson played Somerville in with a great cross-field ball, but the shot went over.
Uni had not really been seen as an attacking force to this point and they were dealt another blow after half an hour when their no 11 was shown a straight red for a vicious foul on John Hall.
Eight minutes before half time McIntosh had Welfare’s best chance of the half after great work by Manson, but he fired wide from 10 yards. Half time - no scoring.
Welfare started the second half strongly, with a McIntosh shot tipped round the post by Tait, then a Somerville shot deflected for a corner.
With an hour gone, Uni had their best chance of the game when the ball was cleared off the Whitehill goal-line. As the afternoon threatened to become a repeat of last week’s frustrating match at Stirling, Whitehill took off Sproule and top scorer McIntosh and introduced Herd and Sinclair in an effort to make the breakthrough.
When the goal came, it was a great piece of skill as Somerville cut inside, turned his man and blasted high past Tait to the great relief of the Whitehill bench.
With the pressure off, Sinclair had a good chance for 2-0 but his shot was turned round the post. Then sub Swanson hit the far post when played through one on one, and Manson tried to chip the goalie when he was played in by John Hall, but his effort was too high.
Welfare had to survive a late flurry as 10 man Uni went after a late leveller, but it was not to be and Paget’s men held on to take the points.
Walker; Young, Hall, W.Kidd, Moffat; Somerville, A.Kidd, Robertson (Swanson), Manson; Sproule (Sinclair), McIntosh (Herd).
