Berwick v University of Stirling Match Report 25-26
Berwick and University of Stirling played out a drab goalless draw at Shielfield Park.
Kyle Somers had the best chance of the game early in the second half, but his effort in front of goal was straight at Alex Sutherland.
Berwick had the first chance of the game as Ben McCrystal executed a nice spin to find space with the ball in the midfield. He played Harry Wright through on goal, but he slipped as he took the shot which went straight at Sutherland.
Less than a minute later, Caelan McCrone drove towards the goal in the middle before finding McCrystal on the right-hand side. He cut inside before unleashing a shot that rolled wide.
University of Stirling had their first chance of the game on the half-hour mark. Euan Walker crossed from the left that was awkward for Liam Campbell as he could only parry it into danger. Nathan Tallen was there for the rebound that forced a good save out of Campbell.
Five minutes later, Berwick’s Callum Mackay misjudged the bounce of the ball to leave Tallen in a dangerous position. He picked out James Malcolm who attempted to dink the ball over Campbell, but the Gers shot stopper was in the way.
The visitors continued their momentum late in the second half as it was once again Walker who was the key creator. His cross from the left found Thomas Vonk at the back post but he saw his volley go wide. The game was goalless at half-time.
The Dream Team pushed for the opening goal early in the second half. Wright’s long ball found Taylor Hendry who held the ball up nicely before slipping Kyle Somers in on goal. However, he could only manage to hit his shot straight at Sutherland to spurn the best chance of the game so far.
University of Stirling responded with a chance of their own on the hour-mark. Ben Heal’s long ball picked out Duncan Laird who found Tallen inside the box. He managed to find space before his shot was deflected just wide.
Five minutes later, Walker’s long throw caused havoc as he found Heal before his fierce shot stung the palms of Campbell at his near post.
There was little to separate the two sides as set pieces may become the key to a winning goal. Michael Barfoot had a free-kick on the edge of the box that was parried by Sutherland. The loose ball was pounced on by McCrystal, but he somehow hit the ball over the bar from inside the six-yard box.
Uni of Stirling responded with a chance of their own as Vonk found space outside the box, but his shot was straight at Campbell.
The game looked to be heading for a goalless draw as neither side had their cutting edge. The Dream Team had one more chance towards the end as McCrystal’s free-kick was saved by Sutherland. Gers debutant Kieran Moyles nearly tapped in the rebound, but Sutherland managed to gather.
The game ended goalless in what was a fair reflection of the afternoon’s play. Berwick remain in 10th in the Lowland League table with University of Stirling still sitting in 14th. The Gers’ third home game in a week is on Tuesday as they play title-chasing Tranent at Shielfield Park.
👨💻 | Ben Langley