Arbroath v Berwick - Scottish Cup.

off to Arbroath for the game, Berwick 5-1 to win this but I had hope.... The day started off with a trip to my folks to get the old boy, my brother Thomas (who was coming up from just outside Lanark) and Gordon. We then drove up to Arbroath nice and early to get a spot of lunch in the Bellrock before the game. Lunch was good, fish and chip bufffet. The only thing spoiling it was the fact that I had rice pudding and my dad had bread and butter pudding then we noticed the ice cream machine in the corner.........(spoiled perhaps a strong choice of word here).

The game.

well not much to say, beaten 3-0. Berwick were 5-1 to win so Arbroath clear favourites. Berwick did at least seem to put in a shift although the defence were under constant pressure and Arbroath could easily have had another 3 or 4 goals. Berwick still seem to do the odd thing of having everybody in the goal mouth for corners. This odd tactic means that when the ball is cleared it comes straight back into the box from the opposition. There is also still the tendency for everybody to chase the ball. This leave a huge gap on one side of the field that is often exploited by the opposition. Surely the new manager Robbie Horn can see this? The lack of any recognised striker is quite obvious, here's hoping that there are a few on the Christmas list. It wasn't the worst game and I have high hopes for the squad under the new manager. If we had a couple of strikers then obviously the game would have been different, the shape of the team would be drastically improved and of course our decent midfielders would then be in midfield and not upfront. The only problem looming on the horizon is the loan player situation. There are 5 or 6 in the squad and they are regular team players. The danger now is the parent clubs pulling them out at Christmas and then placing them in teams that are in a higher league.