7pm 6 May 2022
Border Amateur League, Sanderson Cup Final at Selkirk Victoria AFC
Hawick Colts 2 Berwick Colts 3 (att 160)
Having visited Selkirk FC's old Ettrick Park ground back in 1997 it was frustrating when the club folded, in 2018, before I was able to see them at their new Yarrow Park base.
Fortunately the town still has a club, and Selkirk Victoria now use the ground for their Border Amateur League games. Being one of the league's better venues, it was chosen to stage the final of the Sanderson Cup, for teams in the league's third tier.
Hawick isn't far from Selkirk and Hawick Colts had the bulk of the support. They also had the bulk of the play, but were undone by Berwick Colts' sharper finishing.
The first half was goalless and a little too scrappy. Hawick did most of the attacking but only created half chances.
The game needed a goal, and a Berwick penalty 10 minutes into the second half provided it. Five minutes later they doubled their lead, but Hawick soon hit back to make it 2-1.
It was then backs to the wall for Berwick, who faced increasing pressure as they attempted to hold their lead. But their sharpness in front of goal was crucial, as they turned a rare attack into a 3-1 lead.
Hawick soon responded to make it 3-2, but despite their efforts they couldn't force an equaliser. The outcome was harsh on Hawick, but credit to Berwick for taking their chances.
Yarrow Park shows signs of having staged football at a higher level. The ground is fully enclosed, with dugouts and a pitchside pavilion. There's an unusual open wooden terrace, but on the opposite side only the concrete base remains where there was once a seated stand. There are also floodlight pylons, but no bulbs.
Where have the seats gone from the far side?
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