Action from Berwick’s Open Day practice match ( Photo courtesy of Ian Runciman )
In echoes of the once regular pre-season game, Probables v. Possibles, Berwick Rangers concluded their Shielfield Open Day on Saturday, July 1st, with a practice match ostensibly between the first team ( wearing black and gold ) and the Under 20s ( in blue ). In fact, there was a mixture of players in each side with younger ones Jamie Chapman and Ewan Herriot in stripes and Gary Phillips, Jonny Fairbairn and Darren Lavery in blue. Over 130 people came along to see new man Oliver Fleming start as centre back partner to Pat Scullion in the ‘senior’ side with another newcomer, Robby McCrorie in goal for the other.
The match was played in 3 x 30 minute segments and at the end of the first, the black and gold led 1-0 after Scullion turned in a Michael McKenna free kick. The nearest thing to a goal in the middle stage was when McKenna hit the post early on. Multiple and rolling substitutions were the order of the day and, as the final third kicked off, the team in the lead had a much more youthful look about it with several Berwick Rangers Academy players given a run out. Daniel Watt levelled the scores and then claimed a second goal beating Stuart Allan, who had replaced Sean Brennan as custodian, by getting a touch to a shot from Callum Heath. Jack Gillon went on to stretch the blues’ winning margin with a confident low strike past the keeper.
Action from Saturday’s game (courtesy of Ian Runciman)
The first team now have two friendlies at home to Northern League opposition starting on Tuesday, July 4th, against Consett (kick off 7:45 p.m.). On Saturday, July 8th, Morpeth Town are the visitors for a 3 o’clock start. On the same day, the Under 20s are involved in a five team round robin tournament in Oban along with sides representing Alloa Athletic, Dundee United, Hamilton Accies and hosts, amateur club Oban Saints. Each game will be of 40 minutes duration.
