Lochee United 1-1 Berwick Rangers 25/7/26
Danny Handling’s last minute equaliser rescued an opening day point for Berwick at Lochee United.
Berwick boss Kevin Haynes felt his side ‘deserved a draw’ on what was Lochee’s first game in the Lowland League.
The newly promoted hosts had the better chances in the first half before slack defending allowed Finlay Allan to turn home four minutes before the break.
Berwick upped their game in the second half but struggled to create any openings until the last 10 minutes where Lochee keeper Lewis Haldane had to make a couple of important stops.
It would be Handling on the spot to equalise with 10 seconds of the 90 remaining, tapping in Michael Mbewe’s nod down on the goal line.
A Difficult Afternoon
“I’ve said to multiple people over the last few weeks that we’ve come to Lochee on the worst possible day.”
Kevin Haynes had already pinpointed the dangers of this trip to Thomson Park given the significance to the hosts and he wouldn’t have been shocked to see Berwick be forced to work for a point.
Lochee United were organised and physical and sharp on the counter attack and Berwick toiled for large portions of the game, struggling to create many openings. However, as we have seen with this squad in the last year or so, a poor opening 80 minutes was the precursor for a disappointing defeat but a salvaged point.
That character will only take you so far though and the Berwick boss was quick to say that he felt that ‘they let themselves down in the final third’ and that ‘we didn’t work the goalie enough’.
Encouraging Debuts
The introductions of Grant Leitch and Josh O’Connor in the last 15 minutes turned the game and bodes well for the season ahead.
Leitch added some composure on the ball when Berwick were struggling to create chances while O’Connor was direct and caused the Lochee defence real problems with his pace and power.
With five players missing and Jamie Pyper limping off, it’s imperative the new signings continue their flying start.
Up Next
It’s a return to MKM Shielfield Park on Saturday as we welcome newly promoted Hill of Beath Hawthorn for a 3pm kickoff.