Berwick v Linlithgow Match Report
Berwick suffered a 1-0 loss to Linlithgow Rose in a closely fought Lowland League East encounter at Shielfield Park.
The only goal of the game came after just six minutes, as Dylan Paterson made the most of Mark McConnell’s poor clearance to score the goal which proved the difference between the two sides.
Linlithgow began the game on top as they pushed Berwick deep in their defensive line. Louis Maguire’s cross found Adam McGowan at the back post. His header was directed across goal but was brilliantly saved by the fingertips of Owen Hayward.
The visitors continued their early pressure as McGowan’s cross from the left wasn’t dealt with by McConnell. His attempted clearance fell straight to Paterson who got his shot off that flew past Hayward and into the back of the net. Rose with an early lead.
Berwick responded to falling behind well. Danny Handling sent Josh O’Connor through on goal with a defence-splitting pass. His shot was saved by Cameron Binnie.
The chances kept on coming in a frantic start to the game. McGowan was a constant threat from the left flank, and his cross was spilt into danger by Hayward. The rebound was met by Connor McMullan, but his shot hit the post and Berwick scrambled the ball clear.
The Gers went down the other end as Liam Gregory drove into the box before being brought down by Cammy Thomson with the referee awarding a penalty. Greg Binnie stepped up against Binnie of Linlithgow, and it was the visitors’ keeper who prevailed. The Berwick striker’s shot was brilliantly saved by Binnie to keep Linlithgow in front.
Just after 20 minutes played, the visitors nearly had their second. Maguire’s long diagonal picked out Paterson. His first-time volley had Hayward rooted to the spot, but the ball rolled agonisingly wide.
A few minutes later, O’Connor had a shot from just outside the box that deflected perfectly into the path of Handling. He looked destined to score but his effort was superbly blocked by Ciaran Greene to prevent a Berwick equaliser.
Linlithgow were showing why they are reigning champions, as they continued to create chances on a regular basis. Five minutes before half-time, McGowan laid the ball off to Maguire outside the box. His fierce shot was saved by Hayward. Not long after, Craig Smith sent a lobbed ball to Jordan Tosh who found himself in on goal. His shot went past Hayward but just wide. Linlithgow led 1-0 at half-time.
Chances were few and far between unlike the first half as Rose looked resolute in their defensive shape. The first chance of the second half wouldn’t arrive until fifteen minutes from the end. Lintlithgow’s Thomson played the ball into Liam McQuaid before he laid off James Berry on the edge of the box. His shot was well blocked by McConnell.
The Dream Team nearly found an equaliser three minutes from the end. Ryan Turner’s long ball sent Taylor Hendry into space. However, his shot across goal flashed just wide.
Linlithgow were holding on in the closing stages as Berwick launched multiple long balls into the Rose box. However, some soft fouls went the way of the visitors to stump any momentum building for the Gers. Linlithgow held on for a 1-0 win which was their first at Shielfield Park since their promotion into the Lowland League East. Berwick slip to 14th in the table with just one win on the board so far. Linlithgow climb to 2nd and just a point off Tranent at the top.
Berwick’s next game is next Saturday as they travel to Gala Fairydean Rovers in a crucial Lowland League East clash towards the bottom end of the table.