Wishaw secured a 10-year lease of Beltane Park.

Feb 18 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

IN A busy few days, Wishaw moved from signing a new ground lease to draw with Benburb in the only game played in the Central League Second Division.

A delighted manager Alex Young explained: “North Lanarkshire Council last Tuesday agreed a 10-year lease for the Beltane No 1 pitch.

“The council will assist with providing dressing rooms and Portacabins but this gives us a ‘home’ pitch of our own, and allows us to build on our identity as a local community club.”

He added: “Having a home ground of our own will make my job easier when trying to attract potential signings, and I now feel we can move forward now.”

The 125-year-old club have been homeless for almost two decades since Recreation Park was developed for housing, and have played games at Victoria Park, Newmains and Wishaw Sports Centre.

They were steered away from potential oblivion when a new committee was formed and a number of Trustees became involved, including former Motherwell chairman John Chapman and Sports Council chair Joy O’Brien.

This is the second time in two years that the council has stepped in to help a junior club, as Bellshill were also given use of West End Park after being turfed out of New Brandon Park.

Wishaw’s draw with Benburb lifted them one place above Forth to fourth from bottom.

John Coffey set up the opener when he cut in from the byeline to allow Gordon Stewart to score.

Benburb equalised, then went 2-1 ahead at half-time, but Billy Brawley fired in a deflected drive to level matters.

Slack marking in the box let Bens net from close range, but substitute Chris Rocks equalised in 83 minutes.

Carluke Rovers hope to go one better than Wishaw when they take on Benburb in Glasgow this weekend.

Forth Wanderers and Newmains United are set to clash head-on at Kingshill Park this weekend, while Royal Albert hope to get back into action with a fixture at Greenock.