9th October 2020

Match Preview: Berwick Rangers v Vale of Leithen – Lowland League

After 231 days without a competitive fixture, the Wee ‘Gers finally return to action tomorrow, when the team play host to last season’s bottom side Vale of Leithen.

Since the enforced finish to the 2019/20 campaign, both sides will like to think they have strengthened significantly and will be looking to get the new campaign off to a positive start with both back in action as soon as midweek.

Berwick Rangers team news

After a positive pre-season featuring a number of tests against SPFL opposition, the Dream Team will welcome the return of competitive Lowland League football.

Manager Ian Little will be without Lewis Barr after the influential midfielder sustained an ankle injury in our first pre-season match. It is expected Lewis is still around 2-3 weeks away from a return and though naturally fit, will have some work to do to catch up with a playing squad that have also picked up match fitness over the last month or so.

Also absent will be Kevin Waugh, the defender still struggling with a hamstring issue, a niggle that has kept his involvement in pre-season perhaps a touch more limited than he’d have liked. Nevertheless, it’s hoped Kev will only miss out on the first week of the new season.

Liall Smith returned to training on Tuesday evening having picked up an injury in the pre-season win at Whitehill Welfare, and in more positive news, Jack Cook, Grant Nelson and Ali Forster all trained this week and are fit to play having missed out on last weekend’s trip to Stenhousemuir.

Ryan Finnie could debut after signing on Wednesday evening, with it possible that as many as 9 players could make their competitive debuts in the Black & Gold jersey on the day.

Vale of Leithen team news

Despite a difficult campaign last time out, Vale come into the game in decent form having won 4 of their 6 pre-season friendlies. Netting no less than 18 goals in the process, the away side have scored as many in their last six as they did in the 23 games before last season’s Lowland League season was halted, suggesting they’ve improved their forward play.

Amongst the new additions to the Vale squad are forward Reece Wyllie, who joins having spent time with Dalkeith Thistle, Haddington Athletic and Newtongrange, as well as Graeme Campbell who previously spent time playing in the US.

Amongst the Vale’s pre-season results was a 6-0 victory over Upper Annandale, who the ‘Gers will visit in South Region Challenge Cup action on November 21st.

Admission

As announced in midweek, the club’s opening fixture is to be streamed free of charge via MyCujoo.

To tune in, fans simply need to follow the step by step guide found at the bottom of this item to order their free streaming access. Note: There are vital steps that must be followed within the guide. Failure to follow them accurately will result in the link not being delivered.