Berwick v Caledonian Braves.

I travelled down on the Friday for this one, I’ll be down for the week so no dad with me. He’s had a pretty bad cold so he wouldn’t be allowed out anyway. He was really bad on Christmas Eve and we had to go down and sit with him fo a few hours until his fever broke. Ruth and I went down on Christmas Day and took him and my mum Christmas dinner, they were going to come to us but understandably they weren’t going to come. My dad was much much better, sat up for a couple of hours and managed his prawn cocktail and some Christmas dinner. He’s now locked up at home under my mother’s watchful eye.

I was unsure it the game would be on, the rain hammered down as we travelled from Fife, my windscreen wipers were at maximum from the Queensferry Crossing to just outside Berwick, quite a wind too. But the game was on.
A trust meeting first though. We will need to get some articles for the upcoming Trust magazine and a few thoughts on raising funds. All levels of funds from dinners to smaller regular events/activities.

I was in hospitality for this game, a booking for 20 people for a 60th birthday party. Followed by a surprise party. I baked a cake and some cupcakes for the party.
We met in the Blenheim in Spittal first, pie and chips organised, then to the game, pie agh halftime for those who wanted it then a pie and peas was arranged for after the game! A 3 pie day for some. I resisted the 3 pie affair though just the 1 for me!

Ive also found myself in the position of writing a match report. Something that can be used in the local paper. Apparently if something is submitted it will be printed. I wrote a few a couple of seasons ago but I think I’ll get away with shorter reports than before, I’ve seen the local paper. They lift “stories” and pictures from Facebook and Twitter and cobble them together.

The game.

Berwick were in need of the points as they faced Caledonian Braves at Shielfield park. The previous encounter with the Braves earlier in the season ended in a 2-2 draw. A late strike from the Braves securing a point in that encounter. Berwick sitting in the lower half of the table would welcome 3 points.
It’s been a tough season as Berwick adjust to life in the lowland league. Coming into the game Berwick had agreed the transfer of Daryl Healy and Ricky Miller to lowland league rivals East Kilbride.
Despite the player transfers Berwick played well and secured the vital 3 points required. Striker Yaw Osei-Opoku scoring the crucial goal in the first half, one on one with the keeper he slotted the ball home into the bottom right corner.

Caledonian Braves weren’t without threat and had a few good chances but the young Berwick defence who many though would be missing the support from recent transfer Ricky Miller handled it well. The Berwick midfield held up well and Lewis Barr was a constant threat to the Caledonian Braves throughout the afternoon.
Keeper Sean Brennan pulled off some good stops in goal to keep the Braves at bay as Berwick went on to end the game 1-0 victors.

Next up is another home game at Shielfield on Saturday the 4th of January as Berwick take on Gals Fairydean Rovers. Kickoff 3pm.