PLAYER LEAVING
Liam Watt is off to Brechin on a free (We are contributing £35/wk for the rest of the season). He just didn’t fit in with our plans going forward and frees up some more wage budget. He played 17 games for Berwick, 4 this, scoring 3 goals and making 5 assists. a good solid League 2 player.
Last time out didn’t go very well, but i won’t be junking the tactic over a freak game. That said we need a bit more strength I think – I will continue to scout and search.
Training is going really well, not one bad performance across all 3 squads, averages were 7.70, 7.78 (Reserves) and 7.92 (U18’s) – This is one area I will try and strengthen next season, getting in the best coaches I can.
There were a couple of league games on the middle Saturday before we entertain Brechin on the following:
Thirteen points is the gap, Stenny beating Brechin 1-0. Stranraer dropped points v Elgin, a win would have seen them draw level on points with Cowdenbeath in 3rd.
Our U18’s beat Peebles Reserves 2-1, James Doolan (16yo, STC) and MotM Gary Fletcher (16yo DR) with the goals.
On the next day our Reserves played Stranraer Res, drawing 1-1. AMR Trialist Ross MacIver with the goal.
Kyle Allison makes team of the week for League 2 after the shitshow v Peterhead, who have just won again, beating Elgin 2-1. Lewis Allan scoring his first for the club.
Our U18’s had a friendly v Haddington Athletic U18, winning 4-2, goals from Daryl Healy, Cameron McGinn & 2 from MotM 17yo STC Alex Gourlay.
Continental C done – Attempted to get the Continental B but I’m needed in training now apparently – I will try again in the summer.
NEW SIGNING
Ross MacIver
- 21yo, 5ft 9in
- MR
- Arrives on a free, in game started at Ross County, had a few loan moves and has played in League 1 at Forfar
- IRL he is playing in the Motherwell first team, as of this post playing 7 times and scoring once in the premiership
- 2.5* CA, 4/5* PA
- £70/wk until 2023
Ross (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Maciver) arrives with a good pedigree, especially IRL and currently is ranked above both McLaughlin & Healy, neither of whom I’m likely to offer new contracts to. Lovely physicals and can dribble, he should fit into our style nicely, and should be getting game time soon. And just £70/wk for 2 years, a bargain if he continues to improve. Nice that he runs the ball down the right as well 🙂 🙂 🙂
PLAYER LEAVING
Hamish Morrison moves on a free to Cowdenbeath. He was in line to be our starting left-back (Or at least fight it out with Marky Munro) until Aaron Dunsmore became available and signed. He played 3 games for Berwick. I wished him the best of luck 🙂
NEW SIGNING
Sean McIntosh
- 24yo, 6ft
- MC
- Started at Celtic, been with Airdrie ever since. IRL he joined Brechin before the 19/20 season, and has been a regular starter in League 2
- 3* CA, 4.5* PA
- £120/wk until 2023
We welcome Sean to the club. We’ve been missing a BWM to get in and do the dirty work in Centre Mid, allowing the other midfielders to express themselves a bit more, and Sean is the man for that. Solid attributes, good physicals if not outstanding, i think Sean can do a really good job for us and add a bit more maturity to the squad.
And we are now at Saturday 23rd, and we welcome Brechin City to Shielfield Park. They are 8th, and squad-wise our scouts don’t think many of their players would make our first team. New boys MacIver & McIntosh need to build up their fitness so they wont be featuring, most probably until February as both have been without football for a while.
A little bit more attacking, Turner in as the DLP, sat back slightly, allowing Barr & Cornelius to do what they do. Brechin are using a 4-1-4-1 DM – Only difference is our wingers/IF’s are higher up the pitch.
HT Berwick 1 (Balde 11) Brechin 0
It’s not raining!!! It took 11 minutes before the first, fine interplay, a Healy cross and a lovely Balde header to make it 1-0 Berwick. just a couple of minutes later Andy Turner pulled up with a foot injury – the way he pulled up under no challenge it may have fallen off – Gardiner on in his place, we go 4-3-3. Almost straight away it should have been 2, Balde’s shot saved. Brechin coming into the game more, but we look very dangerous going forward, the Brechin Keeper making a good few fine saves. A good dominant half, 1-0 Berwick. 7 saves from Leitch in the Brechin net.
FT Berwick 3 (Balde 11, McGrath pen 72, 87) Brechin 0 Att 564 (105 Away)
A very quiet start to the 2nd half, McGrath on for Slaven just before 70. And almost straight away he draws a penalty, takes it himself, and……..scores, dead centre. 2-0 Berwick. Sutherland on for Barr for the last 10, 4-2-3-1. Brechin are having a spell of sustained pressure, but all it takes is a long bomb – Big Rod over the top to Kieran McGrath, who slammed home his 2nd of the afternoon. 3-0. And that’s how it finished, a very professional job. Dominant. And the biggest home crowd of the season, daring to dream of League 1 next season 🙂 I see Liam Watt started for Brechin, was subbed in the 78th minute, and was playing left-back… I didn’t notice him TBH.
Lots of goals in League 2 this afternoon, Stirling the pick of the bunch with 6 v a decent East Fife. Cowdenbeath & Stenny keep pace, still 13 points the gap, now with 13 games left.
Ankle ligaments for Andy Turner – he may be back for the last 6/7 games or so.
Next up is a biggie – Stenhousemuir, who have won their last 3 games, at Home. Win and they’ll be 16 points back with 12 games left. See you then.