Kyle Allison (29, 6ft 2in) has been an absolute star in my first 10 games in charge – only 2 games out of 10 under 7, and they were both 6.9. That’s worth an 8 average for an outfield player. He’s made 50 saves in that time, holding 28 of them and only letting in 1-a-game. Literally first on the team-sheet 🙂 IRL Transfermarkt rather sadly has him being without a team since leaving Berwick this summer.
Today we entertain Elgin City (3rd) – my only loss in the first 10 games, and it was my first in charge. We also have a week off next week before entertaining Albion Rovers (2nd) so can go at this full-bore.
A couple of U18/Ressie games – The U18 lost 1-0 to Musselburgh Athletic Res, the Reserves themselves beat Blackburn Utd Res 3-1, Adamson with a brace and newly-contracted Declan Maxwell with the goals.
Kyle Allison makes his 8th TotW this season – He is also joint-top for clean sheets (8), top for saves held (77) and 2nd for saves parried (45) in League 2 this season. He has a 6.91 Average over 29 games in the league this season. Solid.
Elgin City have had a good season – expected to come 9th in the season preview only Buckie Thistle are outperforming them in that respect (Expected dead last, are top by 3 points). However they are W3 D3 L4 in their last 10 games so aren’t in the best of form. Still expecting a tough game, indeed I’m not expecting any cake-walks in these last 7 games, and feel our form is starting to wane a bit.
Back to 4-4-2 – I feel that gives us more threat even though it means we can’t play our 3 midfielders together – with Campbell back in at left WB. Gardiner in for Barr as he’s been playing so well, allows Barr to be an impact sub for the last 35 mins. We go back to an extremely wide attacking shape to try and stretch Elgin out-of-position. Elgin keep with their 4-2-3-1 2 DM tactic so will be an attacking threat. Our first home game in a month, lets go.
HT Berwick 2 (Healy 24, 29) Elgin City 0
Elgin started the stronger, with a disallowed goal in the first 10 minutes. Berwick came into the game, and went 1-0 up in the 24th minute, an amazing cross from Watt volleyed home by Healy at the back post. A little bit against the run of play. And it was 2 in the 29th, another wonder-pass from Watt finding Healy unmarked, running in to score. Strange game, highlights don’t really show a 2-0. And that’s how the half finished. Comfortable but uneasy, a really weird feeling. McIlduff on for Campbell at Left WB, Overlaps off.
FT Berwick 3 (Healy 24, 29 Watt 73) Elgin City 1 (Brotherston 65) Att 504 (56 Away)
Ok – Penalty Berwick in the 48th minute for a foul on McLaughlin – he takes, its saved 🙁 Really hope that doesn’t come back to bite us!! Lyon on for McLaughlin in the 59th after his penalty miss. Then Elgin get back in it, 2-1 in the 65th minute, a long ball over finding Brotherston who scored well, but soon after they go down to 10 – McHardy sent off in the 71st minute for a late tackle on Healy, who had taken the ball down well after a long clearance, and then almost straight after that it was 3-1 – A beautiful cross from Lyon finding Watt unmarked who fired home. 73 minutes gone. Barr on for Gardiner. Domination from then on from Berwick; it could have been 5 or 6, but we’ll take 3-1 🙂 4 wins on the bounce!!
Also we had 448 home fans at the game today!! We had 494 at the Buckie Thistle fan day, next closest was 403 v Peterhead at the start of the season, so we seem to have about another 100 home fans turn up to the game!! Looking at it financially that’s another £1200 on the gate 🙂
Getting very interesting, Cowdenbeath losing to Annan – We are 7 points clear of Stenhousemuir in 6th but only 1 point off Cowdenbeath and 2 off Elgin in 3rd!! Buckie Thistle are making that late push for the title and are now 5 points clear at the top. 6 games left.
So we have a week off – time for a nice friendly to keep the boys active – then we entertain 2nd place Albion Rovers in a huge game – Both Cowdenbeath & Elgin are away (Stirling & Peterhead) so a win could mean we go 3rd!!! An amazing turnaround for a club that were starting relegation in the face when I took them over just over 10 weeks ago. We’ve also now won more games than in any season since 2015/16…..See you soon.