Shire Secure A Vital 3 Points
The last time Berwick came to “Lesser Firs Park” they ran away with a convincing 4-0 win, and played The Shire off the park that day, fans of The Wee Rangers travelled up hoping for a repeat performance, where as fans of The Shire were hoping to regain some pride that was lost during Albion Rovers last Saturday, and find the form that beat Livingston so comfortably.
There was good news for the team with the return of Davie King into the starting 11 and a place for the inspirational Craig Donaldson on the bench, Jamie Barclay had also been released early from the Scotland under 21 match, to take his place in between the posts, he was to be a very important player over the 90 minutes.
Berwick started the match as the better side, knocking the ball around comfortably on the plastic pitch, and asking questions of the Shire back 4. It was obvious the visitors were searching for the early goal and Jamie Ewart header looped over Jamie Barclay’s bar in the first minute, and a Steven Notman cross also went over.
Berwick seemed up for things, but were struggling to create chances, but on the 20th minute The Shire broke away, and should have had a penalty. Stephen McGuire crossed the ball into the Berwick box and just as Simon Lynch was about to rise there was a blatant pull on his shirt by Ewart, the referee was standing in line with the Shire striker, but allowed play to continue before blowing his whistle and giving Berwick a free kick. Shire fans were left stunned in the stand, as Berwick fans were sure to be relieved as it was a big let of for them. Another sign of poor refereeing at this level.
The Shire’s heads didn’t drop however, and they were starting to come more and more into the game. On the 31st minute the home side won a corner, Dean Richardson’s in-swinging corner found the head of McGuire, but the little strikers header went into the side netting.
3 minutes later, Berwick thought they had opened the scoring, with the best chance of the game so far. Berwick knocked the ball about, and the ball was switched to the left hand side. Ex Stenhousemuir Striker Alan Brazil cut inside and smacked a shot from 25 yards that beat Jamie Barclay but came cracking off the underside of the bar before being cleared by the impressive David King.
Just before Half Time, Craig Tully found himself in a goal scoring position after a Lynch flick on, but the big Centre Half come Midfielders shot was blocked by Mark Peat, then the ball seemed to get stuck under player feet 3 yards from goal, before being cleared.
HALF TIME: EAST STIRLINGSHIRE 0 – 0 BERWICK RANGERS
The 2ND Half was only a minute old when The Shire look the lead. There was some controversy over the goal as the stand side linesman appeared to signal that the throw in went in favour of Berwick, only for the Ref to signal a throw in for The Shire, still Hay took the throw, McGuire threaded the ball throw to ANDY RODGERS and the ex Montrose man found himself one on one with Mark Peat, and he slotted the ball away nicely. 1-0 to The Shire and the Wingers 3rd goal of the season.
The Shire could have extended that lead 5 minutes later, Berwick seemed shell shocked and the home side took the game by the scruff of the neck. A long kick up the field by Barclay found the head of Lynch, who managed to get the ball wide to Stevenson on the Right wing; his cross found the head of Tully but Peat managed to tip his former Captain effort over the bar.
Moments later it was McGuire’s turn to test the former Shire Goalkeeper. The ex Airdrie man picked up Paul Hay’s cross just outside of the Berwick box, his shot looped over the out stretched arms of the keeper, but the Strikers shot cannoned off the bar and now The Shire’s fans were feeling what Berwick had in the First Half.
Berwick picked up the pace of there own game and after 70 minutes The Shire decided it was time for a change, Tully, Rodgers and McGuire came off as Donaldson, McKenzie and Ure were brought on to add fresh legs to the side. After 78 minutes Bolo deflected a shot wide from Currie.
McKenzie was his usual lively self upfront, and caused a few problems for the Berwick Defence, as they were pushing for the equaliser. With 2 minutes left on the clock the little Winger/Striker broke away, he got away from the Defender at the edge of the Berwick box, but just when it looked like he was about to score, the ex Stenhousemuir man ended up flicking the ball into the arms of Mark Peat.
There was still one last chance left in the game, and it fell to the visitors. Berwick substitute Oliver Russell broke away from his marker, he cracked a shot low to the left hand side of Jamie Barclay, just when the Striker thought he’d bagged his first goal for the club, the Scotland Under 21 Goalkeeper dived full length and clutched the ball as close to his body as he could.
FULL TIME: EAST STIRLINGSHIRE 1 – 0 BERWICK RANGERS
Reaction: This was a much improved performance by The Shire and every player could walk off the pitch with there heads held high. This was not an easy point and Berwick will feel aggrieved that they didn’t walk off with at least a point…..on another day they would have bagged all 3. The decision to ask Billy Stark for Barclay to return early from International duty worked out well, with no disrespect to young Gavin Sorely the on-loan Falkirk Goalkeeper pulled off some big saves in the 2nd half. The Defence looked solid, and Davie King made a welcomed return and although things didn’t really click up front, there were signs that Lynch and McGuire are getting to grips with each others game, and the partnership will be dangerous.
ESMMOTM: Could have went to any of the starting 11, but I think PAUL HAY proved that he is the best Right Back in the league today. He went above and beyond what was required of him, winning ball, creating things upfront and threading the passes together. Somewhat of an unsung hero in the present side, but his effort didn’t go unnoticed by me on Saturday.
Team: Barclay(8), Hay(9), Richardson (7), King(8), Bolo(8), Tully(7), Weaver(8), Stevenson(8), Lynch(7), McGuire(7). Subs: Ure(6), Donaldson(5), McKenzie(5)
