Euan Bauld in action in an earlier match. He returned to Berwick’s Development team for the 2-all draw with Stenhousemuir ( Photo: Alan Bell )
SPFL Development League East ( Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014 ): There were four Scotts but only one Frenchman in the Berwick team, Zak Khouiel in midfield with fellow countrymen Monin and Judor having returned home for the festive season. As well as Scott Dalziel and Scott Maxwell, Rangers included twin trialists Stephen and Kyle Scott from Tynecastle under 19s and it was Kyle who gave Berwick the lead after only four minutes. Under pressure, Dalziel was able to knock back Paul Currie’s cross to Kyle, helpfully wearing different coloured boots to his brother, who picked his spot from just inside the box.
Stenhousemuir shrugged off this bad start, soon making Berwick aware that they had a bit of pace in their ranks. Stan Chitemere gave Stephen Tulloch some uncomfortable moments in the first half on the same Ochilview pitch where the Berwick skipper sustained a fractured cheekbone in a first team game against East Stirlingshire in early November and on 20 minutes, the fleet footed striker ghosted past two defenders before firing low into the far corner of Nils Bleakley’s goal.
Currie was influential in many of Berwick’s best moves and deserved to see a better end product than Dalziel’s poorly executed strike after Currie spotted him well placed to do some damage 12 yards in front of goal.
Berwick won two corners immediately the second half began but the next goal came at the other end, Kyle Doherty heading in James Redpath’s cross at the far post four minutes into the second stanza.
The introduction of sub Charlie Denton, returning as a trialist after a spell with Juniors Kirkcaldy YM, injected new vigour into Berwick’s play. Maxwell surged forward after Stenny lost possession only to fire wide for the second time. Home keeper Dean Shaw was also in good form but was finally beaten again in the 79th minute. Currie sparked the move which ended with Dalziel sliding the ball over the line after it had been played on by Denton.
In a crowded penalty area, a Currie shot was blocked and Maxwell realised he should have scored with the rebound. When Denton broke through on his own, a Berwick winner looked possible but Shaw saved his team again. It all left Rangers’ manager Colin Cameron smiling ruefully with the comment, “We had the chances.”
Berwick Rangers: Bleakley, Stevenson*, Drummond, Khouiel, Bauld, Tulloch ( capt. ), S.Scott* ( Denton* 58 ), P.Currie, Dalziel, Maxwell, K.Scott*
* Denotes trialist
