Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019
Shielfield Park, SPFL Reserve League 2
BERWICK RANGERS RESERVES 1 EAST KILBRIDE RESERVES 1
Two nights earlier, Berwick Reserves fielded a makeshift side with four trialists in their bare eleven as they went down 2-0 to Albion Rovers Reserves in Coatbridge.This time, they had a full complement of players with the number of trialists halved and it was East Kilbride who, including one on the bench, listed four names with the letter ‘T’ beside them.
Berwick took the initiative in the early part of the game. Their first chance came after 10 minutes. Gary Windram made ground before delivering to the unmarked Grant Rose inside the box but the ball fell unfavourably for the striker who could only weakly knock it wide of the post. When roles were reversed thirteen minutes later, WINDRAM finished in style after a perfect pass from Rose from right midfield.
East Kilbride’s best hopes had come from free kicks but Blair Kidd sent one flying way over the bar whilst another, from near the Main Stand touchline, was headed on to the top of the net by Dominic McLaughlin positioned at the far post. As the visitors began to look more comfortable on the ball, their first corner on the half hour proved to be the lead in to their equaliser. Keeper Danny Fletcher dived to parry Stephen Docherty’s shot but JAY McINALLY was closest to the now loose ball and enjoyed the luxury of a simple tap in.
E.K. maintained the pressure up to half time but the second period opened with Rose hitting the Newcastle Airport board just behind the goal after carefully setting up the shot. Docherty was similarly out of luck when his well struck effort floated inches over Fletcher’s bar. Liam Currie’s cheeky lob found Rose who tried to perform the same trick over Ben McAllister but the ball hit the goalie’s hand.
Berwick were condemned to playing most of the final quarter with ten men as Currie was shown a straight red for an unlawful tackle on Conor Bell. ‘Kilby’ sought to capitalise on having an extra man but the closest they came to grabbing a winner was when Liam Craig hit the post a couple of minutes before the onset of stoppage time.
Berwick now travel to Cumnock Juniors’ Townhead park on Sunday ( April 7th ) for their final league game against Reserve Challenge Cup winners Ayr United.
Berwick Rangers: Fletcher, Smith ( J.Purves 82 ), Dylan Brown ( T ), Russell, McCrorie, Diste Camara ( T ), Jack ( D.Purves 74 ), Murray, Rose ( Blair 61 ), Currie, Windram ( David Brown 82 ) Unused sub: Briggs
Gary Windram scored Berwick’s goal v. East Kilbride ( Photo courtesy of David Glencross )
