Liam Watt (26, 5ft 9) moved to us in the January transfer window and has had a few good games whilst not setting the world alight. He is our only £100/wk player with a deal that expires at the end of next season. It will be imperative to try and get the best out of him, most probably as a WM as he lacks a bit of pace.
Before entertaining Stirling today our U18’s beat Abbey Vale Res 7-1, Ben Sedgwick (18, CM) with a hat-trick, Ross Gilmour (18, ST) with 2, Alex Gourlay (16, ST) and James Doolan (15, ST) with the goals.
Our Reserves won 3-1 at Ormiston Res, triallist Alexander Easdale with a brace, 20yo Jack Ogilvie with the third.
I’ve had another one of those Tom Sutherland remarkable improvement emails. He is our best player, it will be interesting if anybody comes in for him like what happened with Chris Barras and Dunfermline (Now on £600/wk!!!)
Switching it up a bit – Campbell in for McIlduff, Archibald in for McNiff, Lyon in for McLaughlin, Watt to play as an attacking winger rather than WM, Barr playing as an attacking CM. Adamson in for Allan who isn’t affecting games enough. Going to try and keep it simple. Stirling also go 4-4-2.
HT Berwick 3 (Adamson 27, Sutherland 39, Watt 45) Stirling 1 (Jardine 21)
Playing in a downpour apparently… an OK start with a couple of good chances. And Stirling go 1-up in the 21st minute, again, like last week, amazing interplay before a cross finds Jardine, who scores well. League 2 teams playing Tiki-Taka 🙂 But today we came straight back – Adamson scoring in the 27th minute after a through-ball from Barr, who won the ball back well in midfield. 1-1. And it was 2-1 Berwick in the 39th, Healy, Watt & Barr passing nicely to lay the ball on a plate for Sutherland, who finished from 12 yards or so. It should have been 3 soon after, Adamson missing a one-on-one, and it should have then been 2-2, Stirling hitting the post. Finally Berwick made it 3-1, Watt finishing well in the 45th minute after a poor headed clearance (We all know about them!). A brilliant comeback, the half ended 3-1.
FT Berwick 3 (Adamson 27, Sutherland 39, Watt 45) Stirling 2 (Jardine 21, Starrs 66) Att 478 (53 Away)
Stirling started the stronger, with one of those free kicks that look like the go in, but have hit the stanchion behind the goal. McLaughlin on for Lyon on 60. Calamity in the 66th minute, a pass from Allison completely messed up by Nanitelamio – Starrs finishing after 2 bites. 3-2. Gardiner on for Sutherland, Barr goes to DLP. Really under the cosh, so trying to slow the game down a bit. 5 minutes of injury time, but the boys showed their experience and really slowed the game to a crawl. 3-2 it finished, a vital 3 points after 2 losses in a row.
So we are 1 point off of Elgin in 4th the playoffs and 3 points clear of Stenny in 6th as they played out a 2-2 draw. 4 points from 3rd as Cowdenbeath lost to Buckie Thistle. 3 games left, Buckie in our last Away game next up, Cowdenbeath and East Fife. Buckie are 2 points clear at the top so points are vital for them, Cowdenbeath is a 6 pointer but we are still reliant on Elgin dropping points, and East Fife will most probably be in the relegation playoff by then. See you soon.