BRFC vs Broomhill Match Report
Berwick boss Thomas Scobbie said that his side ‘deserved nothing from the game’ despite keeping the unbeaten Lowland League start going with a 1-1 draw against Broomhill.
Jamie McCormack’s header rescued a point for the ‘Gers after a contentious penalty had been converted by Broomhill’s Devan McColl.
Berwick were forced into one change from the midweek victory over Civil Service Strollers with Grant Nelson missing out and Corrie Fellows taking his place.
Despite losing all three opening games in the league, including consecutive home 5-0 defeats, Broomhill started the quicker and almost got a stroke of luck in the first ten minutes to take the lead. The wind at Shielfield had picked up for the game and an inswinging corner from McColl caught the breeze and hit the crossbar.
Five minutes later, the visitors had even better opportunity to take the lead. A lovely long ball into the channel from Cameron Rowley set the pacy Lewis Lobban away down the right. The striker cut inside Gareth Rodger but his effort wasn’t the best and Callum Antell was able to turn it over the bar with his leg.
Berwick had rarely threatened in the opening stages but gave Broomhill a warning. Good work from Lewis Barr won the ball in midfield before Matty Collins sent a lovely ball through for Liam Buchanan. Berwick’s top scorer in the last two seasons, many expected Buchanan to find the back of the net but his chip sailed over Evan Columbine’s goal.
Both sides were struggling to create too many opportunities in the wind with Berwick’s best efforts coming from Jonny Devers efforts from range while Broomhill captain Arnie Kasa should have done much better from about eight yards out but he skied his effort.
The midweek victory saw a much improved second half performance from Berwick but it was the visitors who remained the most dangerous, in particular Lobban who fired a warning shot into the side netting around the hour mark.
Berwick didn’t heed the warning and could have been behind twice in less than a minute. Lovely interplay on the edge of the area from Broomhill saw a lovely floated ball to McColl who skied his volley when it seemed easier to hit the target. Then, seconds later, a long ball sent Chris Mahon scampering clear but he could only drag his effort wide of the post.
Berwick were living on the edge and their resistance finally broke, albeit contentiously. Another long ball into the channel sent Lobban away, who shot tamely at Antell. McCormack had tracked the striker’s run and slid to block the shot as a defender would but also caught Lobban. There didn’t seem a huge amount wrong with it but the referee pointed immediately to the spot. It was a poor decision but McColl stepped up and sent Antell the wrong way.
Despite not being at it for large portions of the game, the perceived injustice sparked something of a revival in Berwick and they found the equaliser ten minutes from time. Devers corner from the right found the head of McCormack, who had got a run on his marker, and found the bottom corner.
Yet, that equaliser did not spur Berwick on and, with five minutes to go, the ‘Gers were thanking the woodwork for keeping the scores level. A long throw from Rowley wasn’t cleared by Berwick and, in the ensuing melee, the ball landed at the feet of centre back Connor Duffy. He hit a brilliant left footed effort that had Antell rooted to the spot but the post came to the rescue to ensure Berwick did keep their unbeaten start to the season.
It was a point gained in the end for Berwick, a sentiment echoed by Scobbie: “To be honest, I don’t think we deserved anything out of the game. I spoke to Zander (Diamond, Broomhill manager) after the game and said that they probably deserved the three points. It was a poor day for us and the only positive outcome is that we got a 1-1 draw.”
“I didn’t think it was a penalty, to be honest,” captain McCormack told club media after the game “The referees in this league are what they are so you can’t rely on them to help you out.”
With this result, Berwick drop to third in the Lowland League ahead of next week’s trip to Ainslie Park to face Hearts B. Before that, is a Tuesday night trip to Dumbarton in the Second Round of the SPFL Trust Trophy.
