Today we entertain a Forfar side sitting 4th (Obvs) with a few really decent players, but overall a side our scouts don’t really rate that highly.
Before then our U18’s beat Lochmaben Res, 4-1, goals from MotM James Christie (16yo STC), Gary Fletcher (17yo DR) and a brace from James Doolan (17yo STC).
Our Reserves also won, 2-1 v Arbroath Res, Daryl Healy & Lewis Barr with the goals. Unfortunately Barr later pulled up with a tight hamstring so will be out for 2-4 weeks.
Forfar have had a difficult last 5 games (WLLLD) but got a good 3-3 draw last time out versus Montrose. They won’t be a pushover.
We stick with the Christmas Tree, Slaven in for Mitchell up top, Turner for Leitch. Forfar go with a 4-2-3-1 Wide – refreshing after all the defensive setups we’ve been playing against recently.
HT Berwick 3 (Bow 16, Turner 27, Slaven 45+2) Forfar 1 (Whyte 6)
Back in the amber and black today. Forfar start the better, with a few good chances early doors. And they go 1-0 up in the 6th minute, Whyte free to volley home. “Show Some Passion”. And we get the equaliser 10 minutes later, Jordan Bow picking up the scraps after a Gerry Martin free kick was parried. And it was 2-1 Berwick in the 27th, McManus scavenging on the periphery, passing to Turner, who fired home well from 15 yards. Forfar look dangerous though. Gerry Martin has a pulled groin – going to nurse him through to Half Time. We’re looking a bit better in attack now, just need the relationships to grow as we’ve had a couple of chances that should have been quite simple, but lacked a final pass due to positioning. And what a wonderful time to score, 2 minutes into injury time, some lovely passing play just inside our half leads to a beautiful through ball to Sean Slaven, who scores the 1-on-1 past the Forfar keeper really well. 3-1 Berwick!!
FT Berwick 3 (Bow 16, Turner 27, Slaven 45+2) Forfar 2 (Whyte 6, Galasso 66) Att 557 (52 Away)
Martin off with that possible groin strain, Leitch on, moving to the 4-1-3-1-1 Fighter Jet, Turner as HB so he forms a back 3 when the wingbacks (Now on Attack) bomb on. Leitch plays as the BBM. A quiet first 10 minutes, though towards 55 minutes Berwick were knocking at the door. 60 gone, Faulds on for Mackie. Then from nowhere it was 3-2, Galasso getting clear after a through ball by Hilson. Not happy. Fresh legs up top for the last 15, Mitchell for Slaven. We definitely had chances to put this one away. Forfar scored in the 86th, but Bell was a good yard offside. Feels like we’re hanging on a bit. But we do – 3-2 Berwick at Full Time.
Really tight with just 2 points separating 2nd and 7th, with 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th all drawing.
Next up its a chance for a bit of payback versus a Morton side who beat us 5-1 on the opening day of the season. See you then.