Welcome back to another Berwick Rangers post – today we play a strong Ayr side in our second game of the Betfred Cup group stages this 2021/22 season.
NEW LOAN SIGNING
Cammy Dow
- 19yo AML
- 5ft 7in
- Started his career at Dundee before a loan to Arbroth last season in League 1, playing 33 games.
- IRL was at Carnoustie Panmure Juniors on Loan before COVID-19 struck – Still contracted to Dundee
Cammy Dow arrives as our starting left winger (They are so rare up in Scotland its untrue) – Good crossing , dribbling, a bit of flair and good physicals, as mentioned above he played a full season last season for Arbroath in League 1 so, even though he’s only 19, he has more experience at this level than most in the team. Welcome Cammy.
So to the game versus Ayr. IRL they were 4th in the Championship before the season’s halt, so have maintained this for another couple of seasons in game, finishing 6th last season, so like Falkirk this will be a very tough game and I’m not expecting anything more than a good run-out.
A few changes due to fitness, Big Rod in at the back for Neill, Gardiner for Turner, New-boy Dow in for Sutherland on the left wing, Slaven starts as an AF instead of a TM(A). Also going Cautious. After taking the screenprint I’m also starting Kyle Allison in goal; I think he’ll mainly be our cups Keeper this season. Ayr start with a 4-4-2. This is also on the TV; I think it’s our first televised game in this save 🙂
FT Berwick 1 (MacIver 40) Ayr 1 (Jackson 1) Att 403 (74 Away) – BERWICK WIN 4-3 on Pens
Ayr start in their shocking Pink kit and take the lead in 15 seconds(!) – Simeon Jackson (With EPL experience with Norwich a way back) – just a long bacll and Jordan Bow as caught napping. Very poor. Pretty constant pressure from Ayr in the first 10. We came back into it a bit, a few really decent chances going begging. Much better from the boys. And in the 40th minute we got the equaliser. A poor Williamson pass cut out by Davidson, a ball to Dow, a pass to Slaven and through ball to MacIver, being played onside, who finished well from 15 yards. 1-1. Now to see it out to HT…. Or nearly take the lead, Dow’s shot well saved in injury time. 1-1 at the Half.
Ayr looking more dangerous again at the start of the half. Both wingbacks (Mackie & Dunsmore) off on 60, Faulds and Munro on in their places. Some tired legs out there. Ayr’s professional status starting to show in their fitness levels. Last sub McIntosh on for Leitch in the holding role. Its backs to the wall – some last-ditch defending going on. 10 minutes or so to hang on for pens. Injury Time, and a massive chance for Davidson, who shot tamely into the Keeper’s hands whilst on goal. And we go to Penalties.
McIntosh – GOAL, Ayr – Goal, Davidson – GOAL, Ayr – Goal, Gardiner – SAVED, Ayr – SAVED BY ALLISON :), Slaven – GOAL, Ayr – Goal, Faulds – GOAL, Ayr to stay in it – SAVED BY ALLISON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Berwick win 4-3, 2 points gained. Really pleased for the boys. N.B. – The final penalty (Murdoch, saved by Allison) isn’t in the key Highlights – It’s when you really kick the tyres of a piece of software that you see the Bugs.)
8 days to our match with old-foes Stranraer – Looks like we just need to beat them and Clyde and get a few goals and we should get through! See you then.