Linlithgow Rose 2-0 Berwick Rangers Match Report 21/03/26

A battling Berwick just didn’t quite have enough as they fell 2-0 to Linlithgow Rose.

After a long week of Lowland League action, Berwick’s battle-weary legs were undone by a Callum Rae brace.

Kevin Haynes opted for an unchanged lineup from the midweek win at Civil Service Strollers and they should have rewarded him with an opener when Liam Gregory smashed the crossbar with Taylor Hendry and Caelan McCrone unable to turn home the rebound. Title chasing Rose made them pay with slack defending allowing Lucas Stenhouse time down the right to pick out Rae, who dispatched from 12 yards out.

Berwick continued to work hard but the difficult away days of the week took their toll as Michael Mbewe was forced off injured after Berwick had used all their substitutes.

 

Linlithgow made sure to take press home the man advantage when Rae looped a header beyond the reach of Liam Campbell to secure all three points.

A Step Too Far

They say a week is a long time in football and the past week has felt like a lifetime for Kevin Haynes and his players. Injuries and illness have meant that a number of players have had to play through the pain in the last week but Prestonfield proved a step too far for their weary bodies.

Haynes will feel that Berwick could have got something from this game but there cannot be any doubt about the resilience of this team.

Injuries Piling Up

Much has been made of the horrendous luck with injuries Berwick have had since the turn of the year and it only got worse in Linlithgow.

Callum Antell, immense between the sticks once again, looked to have reinjured his groin and had to come off while Berwick played the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Mbewe pulled up after all substitutions had been made.

With Mark McConnell, Jamie Pyper, Joe Ellison and Danny Handling already on the sidelines, Kevin Haynes will be hoping his luck turns before the end of the season.

Mackay Impresses

The number of injuries at the back have thrust Callum Mackay into a featured role this past week and he stepped up again at Prestonfield.

He (and Alfie Robinson) hardly put a foot wrong all day and Mackay looked like the defender that impressed so many in the second half of the 2023/24 season.

After a year and a half of injury hell, it’s encouraging to see Callum getting back to his best.

Next Up

It’s back to MKM Shielfield as Berwick welcome table toppers Bonnyrigg Rose next Saturday (3pm kick off)