
Development League action between Berwick and Alloa at Shielfield ( Photo: Katy Leadbetter )
BERWICK RANGERS 2 ALLOA ATHLETIC 2 ( Tuesday, February 10th, 2015 )
Berwick Rangers have now drawn six of the twelve Development League games played so far this season and four of these draws have finished with a 2-all scoreline. David Gold claimed both goals this time, the first from the spot, the other with a little help from Alloa defender Keirin Coleman.
There were some nice touches in many of Berwick’s first half attacking moves especially from Euan Bauld and overlapping full back Gavin Stevenson. Mathieu Judor was very busy if at times prone to unproductive over elaboration but Gold looked Rangers’ most dangerous attacker.
Alloa looked nothing like ‘Wasps’. Rather, in maroon strips they resembled Stenhousemuir. They twice had Rangers back pedalling following Gold corners at their own end. Robert Wilson headed the first against the bar before the visitors broke away. However, the muscular Isaac Layne was stopped in his tracks by a great tackle from the smaller Judor. Another post-corner breakout saw Michael Andrews make a double save from Layne and then Paul Carrick who was following up.
Berwick scored seconds before the break. Ben Miller headed down a Colin Cameron free kick only for Judor’s progress towards goal to be rudely interrupted by Lee McLelland who sent him sprawling. Gold rammed home the penalty.
Just four minutes into an end to end second half, Alloa were level. Nathan Moore finished off a three man move with a perfectly judged shot beyond the reach of the diving Andrews
Fears that Berwick would miss the guidance of the tireless Cameron when the 42 year old manager retired just past the hour seemed justified ten minutes later. His replacement, Zak Khouiel, gave away the ball in centre field. The unfortunate Anthony Monin, who went on to make a couple of vital tackles, could only slice the stray ball into the path of Layne. This time, Andrews could do little to stop him scoring.
Khouiel compensated for the aforementioned error by having a hand in Berwick’s 78th minute equaliser. He played the ball to Judor who found Gold. His shot was destined for goal as soon as he hit it. Even though it was nudged over the line by the scrambling Coleman, the referee credited it to Berwick’s captain.
In the last major incident, Khouiel worked his way into the box. With one more outfield opponent in close proximity, he rolled on to the ground. Berwick’s players believed it should have been another penalty. Instead, the referee booked the Frenchman for simulation.
Berwick Rangers: Andrews, Stevenson*, Watson ( Monin 63 ), Cameron ( Khouiel 61 ), Wilson*, Hogg*, Bauld, Miller, Helm*, Gold, Judor
*Denotes Trialist