We start today with a quick look at Barry Maguire. He’s hit the ground running – last 5 games averaging 7.23, now rated our best owned player by CA and developing a nice partnership with Jordan Bow. IRL he has 6 caps and a goal for Scotland U21’s from 2019 on!
Today we face a strong Albion Rovers team, a win would be priceless in the context of the season.
Before then the usual.
Our U18’s lost 2-1 to Tranent Res – 18yo STC Alex Gourlay with the goal.
Our Reserves drew 0-0 with Albion Rovers Res.
Aaron in the League 1 Team of the Week.
And we welcome Albion Rovers to Shielfield Park for a massive game in the context of the season. They’ve lost their last two league games (Montrose & Airdrie) by the odd goal so will be looking to bounce-back today.
Lewis Faulds gets a chance at left-back, he’s very close if not slightly better than Sean Mackie now on CA. Palmer changes to a Carillero, Slaven up top as a poacher, dropped the tempo a bit, going Balanced, try to work the chances a bit more. Albion Rovers go with their 4-5-1.
FT Berwick 3 (Slaven pen 29, MacIver 55, 62) Albion Rovers 0 Att 511 (34 Away)
A really quick start from Berwick, but it looks like Davidson has been injured in the first 2 minutes – No notification though… Albion get into the game a bit more after the first 5, and have some good chances. Quite an even game. And the first real chance comes from a Berwick quick counter, MacIver getting the ball, a looped pass to Slaven who heads the ball into Davidson’s path, and he’s brought down inside the box. Slaven steps up… and scores the penalty well. 1-0 Berwick. 29 minutes gone. Time ticks down towards half time, and the last seconds of the half it should have been 2-0 – Davidson picking a beautiful 50 yard pass over the Albion defence, Slaven runs on but his shot is saved well. 1-0 at the half.
Only change at half time is to get Turner a bit further up the pitch as a DLP(S) as the wingbacks are on support, Davidson given free rein as a CM(A). Davidson only showing slight signs of a coming together at the start of the game, his condition is a tad low. 55th minute, and maybe a massive goal for our season. Sinclair lumps it long, Slaven picks it up and lays off to MacIver, who in acres and he slams it home to make it 2-0 Berwick. And not long after it was 3. Starting with Turner, he whips a ball wide to Cammy Dow, and the two wingers combine as his lovely cross finds MacIver, again in acres, who heads home beautifully. A massive performance so far, 28 minutes of normal time left. 75 gone, Leitch on for Davidson, Palmer goes to CM(A). 85 gone, McManus for Palmer, McStay for Dunsmore. And it’s all over, 3-0, a really good performance. Turner as DLP really pushed us on.
A really big win as everybody around us even drew or lost. 5 points off of top at the halfway point of the season and in the playoff places – not bad for a promoted team.
Mark Davidson – Tight Thigh – 2-3 Days – OK, so he was injured early on…
Next up is another huge game, top-of-the-table Morton away in our last game before Christmas 2021. See you then.