Today we host Stenhousemuir (Currently in 4th) in our 6th league game and last of August 2020, which to this point has been an amazing month. Above is Marky Mark Munro, off the back of his amazing showing v Brechin.
So 11 crosses completed with 1 assist, nearly all to Kieran McGrath (No. 10). Loving the positions he was getting into v Brechin, who were playing Fullback and left winger; it was almost as if he was in between them causing all kinds of problems. I’m thinking I need to Kieran to swap sides with Sean Slaven/Lewis Allan as they are better & taller headers of the ball. One goal from ten completed crosses from those header positions is a bit wasteful, even though he was getting on the end of the ball.
Before the game the normal bits and pieces.
Our U18 beat Edinburgh Utd U18’s 2-0 – John Balde & 18 yo AMR Jamie Johnson with the goals.
Our Reserves lost 2-1 to Livingston Res – Archie Gardiner with the goal.
The boy Munro makes it into the League 2 Team of the Week 🙂
NEW SIGNING
Gregor MacLennan (19, 5ft 10in) comes in from Stiriling Uni on a free, after starting as a St. Mirren Newgen. Rapid, and a natural left wingback. One for the next few years.
So to today’s game. Stenny (4th) have had a decent start to the season and look more than capable of giving us a game from the scout reports.
Gegenpress – Balde & McLaughlin back on the wings, McIlduff at left wing/fullback. Munro keeps his place after his star performance v Brechin. Stenny go 5-2-3 WB. It could be a very interesting clash of styles
HT Berwick 0 Stenhousemuir 0
Its a drizzly 25C here today in Berwick-upon-Tweed(!). A good start from the boys, expansive attacking football and last-ditch defending from Stenny. Towards the middle of the half Stenny came back into the game a bit, but Berwick still looked the more dangerous, and it was nearly 1-0 after a Sutherland thunderbolt hit the woodwork from 25 yards. It finished 0-0 at half time – I like this Gegenpress style but it always looks so inefficient…. Pass Completion, Possession, Shots all there, we need something to show for it. Sean Slaven on for Kieran McGrath (he scored a brace in this formation last time we used it).
FT Berwick 1 (Slaven 50) Stenhousemuir 2 (Murray 58, Hurst 90+4) Att 538 (48 Away)
Boom!! 50th minute, a beautiful through ball by McLaughlin, Slaven muscled his way in and scored to make it 1-0 Berwick. Stenny came back really strongly though, and it was 1-1 in the 58th, a 20 yarder from Murray. Slaven was looking really dangerous though. Cornelius on for Barr just after 60, who had had a quiet game. Another woodwork – McLaughlin from a direct free kick in the 68th minute. Healy on for Sutherland just before 80, McLaughlin moved into the centre as a shadow striker. We pushed and pushed, and finally we were well and truly FM’d – Greg Hurst scoring in the 94th minute for Stenhousemuir. Absolutely f**king apoplectic.
Still top with a game in hand after Cowdenbeath dropped points v Elgin and Brechin lost to Stirling.
xG – 2.423 v 1 Goal, xGSoT 3.838 v 1 goal, xSoT 11.507 v 9 shots – Not a good day at the office. I’m pretty much siding with the control tactic over Gegenpress now, but I really need to have a go at the Wingplay tactic with our height. Think I’ll give that a go over the next few weeks. Next up is Rangers Reserves in the IRN-BRU Cup 2nd Round – The possibility of a non-Scottish opponent is there if we can get through. The first team doesn’t have a game though…….. We will also have the stats for August to take a look at and the end of the transfer window, see you then.