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.
Well the day started with a trip to Leven to pick up my dad and then a stop at Ayton on the way down to pick up some raffle prizes that I had won (2 beers and a dish!). Then off to Berwick and a bit of pottering about before the game. The pottering about consisted of visiting a shop that was shut and a visit to Ladbrokes for my dad followed by a trip to the charity shop. After such excitement it was off to the black and gold pub next to the ground for a seat and a drink. We then had something to eat in the ground. Fish and chips for me and chips and curry sauce for my dad. Fish and chips were rather good, dad not so keen on the curry sauce. A bit too fancy for him, it had raisins in it...... The Game.Well it was a pretty even game, rather dull in the first half with nothing much to report. Berwick still in desperate need of a striker. Let's hope that Robbie Horn has got some guys in mind for January. The defence seem pretty solid now so that's a start, half time arrived at 0-0. The second half started with a goal from Edinburgh. Berwick did equalise in the 57th minute, a great cross from Thomson and an equally good header from McKenna. The game was pretty even still although the last 5 minutes saw Berwick pinned into their own box. The result could have been better but with Cowdenbeath losing again and a draw for both Clyde and Annan Berwick are still sitting in a better position that the start of the season would have suggested. There is even talk of a playoff spot! In this league a lot can go wrong quickly, the biggest problem that Berwick face is the prospect of the loan players who are now integral to the first team leaving in January. Fleming had a good solid game in defence and has put himself in the running for an award from St Andrews Berwick Rangers. There may of course be a bit of Fife bias but we do like our end of season award to go to somebody who isn't perhaps an obvious choice but is deserving none the less.
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AuthorDavid Letham Archives
December 2019
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