Back in action

Well it’s been a while. Everything grinding to a halt and weeks of uncertainty. Being the health and safety officer for 2 university buildings has been no picnic over the last few months. But the football is back, and Berwick Rangers have been very active over the summer. We seem to be in decent shape to take on the new campaign. No illusions of winning the league but hopefully winning more game than we lose. Fundraising has been exceptional, and the fans seem to be fully behind the club. Streaming the games will undoubtably keep the fans engaged.
It will be a tough season for all, I doubt fans will be allowed into any games this season at all.

I had the pleasure of being at Shielfield for the opening game. Volunteering as I usually do. I haven’t been out much. I don’t go to the supermarket and have been relying on home deliveries from Tesco and various smaller local shops that deliver. Then taking these supplies to my parents. Even work has mostly been done at home. Going in and out to the university only when required and usually early morning to avoid anybody. Teaching is online just now so we have very few people in anyway.
I had ventured out twice to Berwick to take part in Ducket days, days of painting and weeding a 220-mile round trip each time.
I completed the sport Scotland’s COVID Officer training course as part of my volunteering and off I set. The job for the day recording the temperatures of the away team.

It was very odd, you wouldn’t think a game was on it was so quiet. I was tempted to get a paint brush and start painting… Still a privilege to help and to remain to watch the game.

And a win! It was a cagey game, we looked better at the back than in previous seasons but still don’t want to take our chances. I have no idea what that is about. Over the last few seasons it’s been the same story. We have had various managers and a huge number of players in the team over the last few years but still the confidence to have a shot is lacking. Hopefully the team will improve, chances will be taken, and goals will be scored.

But what a freekick though. Goal of the season on the first day to seal the win. Fixtures coming quickly now too with a fair number of Tuesday night games. Next up Spartans away.

Well it’s now Wednesday the 21st and we have played Spartans awa and Caledonian Braves away. My blog is falling behind. I’ve been swamped with work and other stuff but have managed to squeeze in a half hour to rattle off some stuff. The best written stuff is always done this way. I still haven’t even read my copy of Harrow to the Grove that arrived a couple of weeks ago.

So a defeate away to Spartans, it was live streaming but very jerky in the first half. Stream improved in the second half and it was free so nobody can complain. We lost 1-0 to a late goal. A bit of faffing about in defence, a lapse of concentration that saw us give the ball away rather than clearing it.

Next away to Caledonian Braves. Again a free streaming service that was most welcome. A fairly solid performance but still giving the ball away too easily at times and no real goal threat. A cracking freekick scored by Sinclair who scored in the opening game from a freekick. 1-0 win and 3 points to make it 6 out of 9.
Next up back at home hosting East Kilbride. This will be a tougher test. I’ll be down at Shielfield for this one. I think I’ll be taking the temperatures of the way team again. This time I shall remember to take a pen...