Berwick Rangers vs Galafairydean – Match Report 25-26
Berwick suffered a 3-2 loss to Gala Fairydean Rovers in a thrilling Lowland League clash at Shielfield Park.
Ethan Galbraith gave Gala the lead with a penalty before Jamie Semple doubled their lead. Scott-Taylor MacKenzie pulled one back for Berwick just before half-time but was sent off in the second half for two yellow cards. Galbraith’s stunner put Gala 3-1 up before Mikey Mbewe pulled one back straight after for the Gers. However, Gala held on for a 3-2 win.
The Gers started the game flying as Callum Pitt’s cross was cleared straight to Ben McCrystal. His shot rolled across goal and just wide.
Berwick continued their early momentum as Jared Lyons mishit the ball at the back that fell nicely for Kyle Somers. However, his curled effort was well saved by Reece Murray.
Gala responded well to Berwick’s attacking threat as a Che Reilly corner fell to Semple inside the six-yard box. Fortunately for Berwick, he couldn’t get sufficient contact on his shot, and it rolled straight to Liam Campbell.
Minutes later, Berwick’s MacKenzie was caught in midfield by Keaghan Jacobs. His through ball found Kieran Dylon with Campbell rushing out to stop his momentum. However, Campbell got there too late and brought down Dolan and the ref awarded Gala a penalty. The Berwick keeper was booked for the late challenge. Galbraith stepped up for Gala and his penalty was emphatic as it ended up in the top right corner.
MacKenzie was nearly at fault for a second Gala goal minutes later. His poor pass went straight to Semple near the edge of the box. His shot was tipped wide by Campbell.
Semple was at the heart of the Gala attack once again midway through the first half. He picked out Reilly who seemed offside, but the flag stayed down. He tried to place the ball in the bottom right corner, but Campbell made another save to keep Fairydean’s lead at one.
However, the visitors did eventually find a second goal, and it came from a free-kick. It was Galbraith who delivered a wicked delivery to the back post. Semple managed to poke the ball past Campbell as Berwick fell two goals behind.
Blair Sneddon was subbed off in the first half, with the Gers defender receiving an early yellow card as manager Kevin Haynes ensured his team didn’t lose a player before half-time. Mbewe replaced him.
As half-time approached, Berwick were given a late opportunity of a goal back with a corner. Jonny Devers’ inswinger found MacKenzie completely unmarked at the back post. He had the simple task of nodding the ball into the net and that he did as the Dream Team got one back with Gala leading 2-1 at half-time.
Galbraith was proving the key player in the midfield for Gala. He found space in the opening minute of the second half, but MacKenzie fouled him in sinnacle fashion and received a yellow card.
Galbraith then nearly added a second goal for himself. His central free-kick was struck with force that forced Campbell to tip the ball over the bar.
The game was full of chances as Berwick responded with a shot of their own. Devers’ cross found McCrystal in the box and his shot was initially spilled by Murray to cause chaos in the six-yard box, but the Gala keeper eventually held on.
However, just as Berwick were looking like they could grab an equaliser, they suffered another setback. Galbraith used his pace to sprint clear of MacKenzie. As Galbraith neared the goal, MacKenzie brought him down and the ref had no choice but to send the Berwick skipper off for a second yellow card.
MacKenzie’s sending off put Gala Fairydean in control once again as they could find space on regular occurrences. Galbraith had another free-kick opportunity that was initially blocked but fell nicely back to him. His shot from distance struck the crossbar with force but the ball bounced over the line as Gala took a 3-1 lead.
It may have seemed game over, but Berwick showed great character to come back once again. McCrystal flew down the left byline before whipping in a terrific cross that was begging for contact. Liam Buchanan couldn’t get on the end of it, but the ball found Mbewe at the back post. He remained cool under pressure as he slotted the ball over Murray to reduce the deficit once again.
Mbewe continued his threat as he found Buchanan in the box. His shot was terrifically saved by Murray, and he managed to gather after fumbling the ball back towards the Berwick veteran.
Ten-man Berwick continued to push for the equaliser in a dramatic game in front of a great crowd at Shielfield Park. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, the Dream Team had one last chance to clinch that dramatic equaliser. Harry Wright’s cross from the right looped its way to Buchanan who got his head to it, but it was blocked by Ethan Dougal. Taylor Hendry’s follow-up was somehow blocked by Dougal again as Gala survived the late onslaught.
Gala Fairydean secured a thrilling 3-2 win as Berwick suffer their first league defeat at Shielfield Park this season. The Gers now focus on cup action as they travel to Preston Athletic next Saturday in Round 3 of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup.