Today we entertain Greenock Morton in the 1st of the 1st set of return fixtures in League 1 this season. We only won 3 out of the 9, but we only lost 2, the first 2, so are unbeaten in 7 in the league. Morton had a mixed August but a good September so far, with an IRN-BRU 2nd round win and 2 draws in the league.
Gerry Martin is out, 6-8 days with a pulled groin so I will have a look at options formation-wise.
Our U18’s drew 0-0 with Leith U18’s, Simon Boyd (18yo DC) was Player of the Match.
Our Reserves then played Stirling Res and won 3-1 – goals from Cameron McGinn, Conor McLaughlin & Player of the Match Cammy Dow. Archie Gardiner picked up a tight thigh – Out for 2-3 days.
Sinclair & Turner in the League 1 Team of the Week – That’s 3 out of 9 teams of the Week for Keeper Ross!!!
Morton roll up to Shielfield Park flattering to deceive this season. Their wage bill (£418k/year) is more than double ours (£188k/year) and we’re 3rd in the division! We definitely owe them after getting beaten 5-1 at theirs on the opening day.
We go with the Eurofighter 🙂 Gerry Martin is fit, but i think I’ll use him later on as an impact sub if needs be. New loanee Jordan Armstrong (6ft 3in) comes in at the centre of a back 3. Playing the left and right centre-midfielders as Carilleros so they cover less ground, and hopefully cover the centre-third a bit better/easier. Hoping for the wingbacks to bomb on and supply Seany-Boy up top. Morton (Who have a pretty strong squad) go with almost exactly the same formation as us – 2 up top instead of our Number 10/STC. This could get messy…
HT Berwick 2 (Davidson 15, Slaven 22) Morton 0
Feeling like I should be expecting us to be competitive today, but feel like Morton have our number a bit after that 1st game of the season. That said we should have been 1-0 up in the 8th minute, mackie’s shot saved well whilst clear on goal. And we do take the lead!! 15th minute, a beautiful near-post corner by Dunsmore headed in by Mark Davidson for his 4th of the season! And its 2 in the 22nd minute! A Mackie throw-in to Davidson saw him in space. His cross was headed well by Dunsmore, saved by Laidlaw in the Morton goal, but straight to Slaven, who tapped home his 8th of the season. An amazing start, let’s not let this go! Morton coming back into it a bit after the goal, buttheir last touch is letting them down a bit. Plus Davidson and Slaven are really pressurising their defenders into mistakes, which is beautiful to watch. 2-0 at half time, lovely jubbly 🙂
FT Berwick x (Davidson 15, Slaven 22, Palmer 90+3) Morton x (McHugh 72) Att 685 (176 Away)
McManus is on a yellow and not playing amazingly, so I’ll give him 10 and then switch it around I think. Really feels like this first-11 is bonding well now. Injury in the 53rd minute – Turner with a nasty gash (No double-entendres please) – Jack Leitch on in his place. 65 gone, McManus is looking a bit shattered so Sean McIntosh comes on as a CM(D) – Davidson becomes the playmaker – AP(S). Lots of switching between Dunsmore & Mackie today, really nice to see. Then out of nowhere a big hoof and McHugh gets behind the defenders and scores… Looked like it must have been offside but no. Last change – Gerry Martin on for Davidson as that AP(S). Bloody squeaky-bum from nowhere now. Trying to slow the game down a bit, and we nearly score on the break, another brilliant save by Laidlaw. 5 minutes of injury time… And it only take 3… To get our 3rd 🙂 A lovely break again, Cameron Palmer on hand to volley home his first of the season, from a lovely Martin inswinger. 3-1 Berwick, well deserved!! And that’s how it finished. A brilliant win versus tough opposition.
Cool, up into the play-off spots, loads of draws in FM19. 10 games out of 36 done, looks like a few teams are pulling away a tiny bit.
Next up in 4 days is a big midweek match-up versus a strong Dumbarton side (5th, LWWLD last 5 matches) – They beat us 3-1 first time out, lets see if we can get a bit of revenge 🙂 See you soon.