Right, this must be 3 points. There already enough fuel for the haters after the Bonnyrigg defeat. Unrealistic views and just wanting to knock the club because that’s what they like to do. I must confess I’ve no idea about the makeup of the Uni team. I don’t know if they are subject to transfer windows or a not. The students start back in September. I’ll need to find out later.
My wife went to Stirling University to do a degree in computer science before I met her in St Andrews when she moved to do a P.H.D. St Andrews Berwick Rangers Supporters also sponsored Kevin Walkers kit when he was the keeper at Berwick a few seasons ago. He was from Stirling University and I think he’s back there as a coach. Edit. He’s there as their keeper but may also be a coach.

It’s down to Berwick on the Friday and back on the Monday. My dad is off to a wedding on Saturday so I’ll be down with my wife. She has no desire to attend this game but she has been to a few. I imagine she will spend time with her family. I’m cameraman for this game so the highlights might be delayed. Alan will edit them but he’s away. It’s an under appreciated role, being cameraman means you can’t properly watch the game and then there’s the editing afterwards, Alan does a great job.
Although I’m down on the Friday there’s a Supporters Trust meeting at 11am so I’ll be tied up with Berwick Rangers for most of the day. I’ll need to get to Shielfield early to try and catch Ryan Kidd for a chat and a photo.

The trust meeting was at 11am and when that finished I grabbed some lunch and headed to Shielfield. I was there around 1pm and I was asked to man the turnstile. Camera duties and Turnstile. Lindsay would take over the turnstile just before kickoff to give me time to get to the camera and record the game. I had set the camera up before the turnstile opened. Fun Fun Fun.... I managed to speak to Ryan Kidd and hand over the £100 I had promise to help him with his kit etc. Ian Runciman was taking the team photos so I asked him to take one of Ryan and I in front of the Supporters banner in the ground.

While on Turnstile duty I managed to meet Ryan’s dad, He’s from Livingston (where I was born and raised) and born in 1977 as was I! Small world! I couldn’t really chat much I was manning the turnstile.

Let’s cut to the chase, we should have done better than a 2-1 defeat. Another blooming penalty too. We still seem scared to take a shot. Things did pick up when Yaw Osei came on, a good cross for the goal. But then a penalty saw Berwick trailing again with time ticking away. Frustrating again. Despite the criticism by some, the team did work hard but somethings just not clicking. Next Saturday it’s Gretna 2008 away. I’ll miss that one but we need the points.

A short post this week. I’m too tired. I went down to Berwick with my dad and it was after midnight before I got back. Struggled to sleep as I have pulled my shoulder too. Fun...
I had the afternoon off (it was my Birthday) and my dad and I went out for a bite to eat before the game. I was on Turnstile duty, such fun that is when folk are turning up late and grumbling. I want to see the game too you know! I’m a volunteer.......

Well it was 3-5 in the end. We actually scored first and had a bit of promise. I’ll get shot down by a few folk for saying that but we did manage to score 3 goals. Some avoidable errors gave Bonnyrigg at least 2 goals. A penalty and a pass back that Brennan caught. The resulting indirect free kick leading to a goal. It’s a young squad but we should fare ok in the Lowland league. Top half of the table is a realistic goal. This isn’t what a lot of fans want to hear but we need to stabilise the club. It’s tough times at many clubs, look at Bolton. I’m not going to go into the usual details here, lack of investment, club location etc. That’s a well trodden path. But I am looking forward to Saturday’s game, not something I can said I’ve said for a while.

I missed the first friendly against Coldstream. A Tuesday night fixture is difficult and for a friendly against Coldstream it was not going to happen. I was pleased to hear we won 2-0 though. The second friendly was against Billingham Synthonia, this I could manage.

Well in anticipation of no chip van it was off to Foulis in Tweedmouth. Easy parking right outside the door so easy for my dad to manage. 2 all day breakfasts ordered and what a plateful. More chips that you can eat, It’s a bit of a waste really. Next time we will ask for one portion between us (or none at all), why chips come as part of an all day breakfast is a bit of a mystery.....
Lunch consumed it was off to Shielfield.

It felt like a long time since I had been here. I was at the charity game only a couple of weeks ago though. I popped into the front office to say hello to Dennis and have a quick chat. Then off to the stand. The pitch is in good condition. A credit to the ground staff, it was commented on by Billingham fans too.

Well we started ok, a few trialists on the park and a couple of new signings. It was promising though. Trialists 9 scored first. It was a goal that looks easier than it is. A good ball through one on one with the keeper and it was slotted home! 1-0 Berwick! The usual back and forth ensued. Billingham had chances, Berwick had chances but it was Berwick who found the net again. Healey scoring some sort of goal. I missed it as I was looking at my phone. I do don’t miss the next goal though. An overhead kick by Healey finding the net! Goal of the season already? Hopefully that will give him and the team a bit of confidence. The team looked in good shape overall and crucially held formation well. Last season it was schoolboy football where every player clustered around the ball and we had gaps all over the field. Brennan put in a good show in goals, he should be a safe pair of hands for the coming season.

Number 9 looked ok, took his goal well but also missed a sitter. He was in position to miss the sitter though. He had a bit of pace upfront so I wouldn’t be unhappy if he signed for us. It will be interesting to see the team next week against Ayr. Who will be in the starting 11. It will also be a tough one to judge. Ayr are a very good side and leagues above us. The rest of the Betfred cup games will also be tough to judge. It’s a cup set up that will Yield rewards financially, I think it’s. £17k for finishing bottom of the group plus spilt gates. It’s can also be demoralising to be thumped 4 times in a row before the league season starts. As much as I hope Berwick put up a show the odds are stacked against us. Ayr, Stranraer, Falkirk and Livingston are our opposition. I doubt we will see a point.

We then start the league midweek as our first home game is postponed due to the cup. Bonnyrigg Rose our first opponents. That will be a tough game for so many reasons. Bonnyrigg having been promoted into the league and managed by ex Berwick manager and player Robbie Horn. Bonnyrigg will be looking to make their mark. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bonnyrigg finished in the top 5.