Berwick v Gala Fairydean Rovers.

I’ve been down in Berwick all week, so not far to travel today. It’s been a busy week catching up with family and friends. The highlight of the week was a phone call from Ruth’s dad. One of his kitchen cabinets had come off the wall! The kitchen was only fitted a few months ago! We went round to find a large double wall unit still attached at one corner and resting on a biscuit barrel keeping the whole thing up. It had also mashed the cooker hood too. 3hrs later I had managed to fix it all. The wall cabinet was originally put up with screws and rawl plugs that would barely take the weight of the cabinet empty, never mind full. The kitchen was fitted by a “professional”. That was New Year’s Eve’s excitement for us, a few broken glasses but no major damage.

So game day and I was on camera duty. I got up to Shielfield around 1:45pm, had a chat with a few folk (including Eric Tait) and set up the camera. I though about going back to the car for my gloves but decided not to. That was a mistake, it was cold on the hands as the temperature dipped. I couldn’t even put my hands in my pockets, the camera work prohibits that. I grabbed a cup of tea, chatted to a few more folk and then it was time for the game.

The game.

Berwick were playing a pressing game that saw them caught offside 3 times in the first half. Berwick were shaky at the back and Gala had most of the half and used this to their advantage as they scored the first and only goal of the half. Berwick unable to clear their lines saw the ball land at the feet of Gala player Galbraith who slotted it home to give Gala the lead. Darren Smith suffered a head injury that saw play stopped for some time and he was replaced with Euan Smith. Berwick were unable to take the few chances they had and the half ended 1-0 with Gala looking the team on top.
The second half started much in same way, Berwick struggling to read the game but they managed to adjust and create a few more chances. Waugh close with a free kick and Chalmers dragging a shot wide. Striker Yaw Osei-Opoku found himself on the edge of the box and slipped past the Gala defenders with a brilliant run and shot to level the game at 1-1 to the delight of the Berwick fans. Berwick were pressing again looking for the win when Gala had a shot to the top left corner that looked certain to put Gala in the lead saved by the Berwick keeper Brennan. The resulting corner however saw the Berwick defence unable to clear their lines again and the ball was pushed out to Galbraith who put it into the back of the net to give a Gala the lead again. 2-1. To the credit of Berwick they kept on the attack, something that has been missing in previous weeks and during one pressing move late in the game Gala were reduced to 10 as their player picked up a second yellow. Berwick were still on the attack and Euan Smith in the 89th minute burst through the middle and took a shot that levelled the game 2-2. With just a few added minutes to go both teams pressed for the win but the final whistle saw Berwick ending the game 2-2, the same scoreline as the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Berwick next game will be away to Vale of Leithen at Victoria park on Saturday the 11th of January. Kick off 2pm.