Match Preview : Berwick Rangers v Annan Athletic – Ladbrokes League Two
Football returns to Shielfield Park tomorrow afternoon at 3pm as The ‘Gers welcome Annan Athletic for a League Two clash.
The battle of the Black & Golds comes in the same week as both teams progressed in the IRN-BRU Cup with impressive victories against the Colt teams of Kilmarnock and Celtic respectively.
Peter Murphy’s side haven’t had the best start to the 2017/18 league season with two narrow defeats to Peterhead at home and Clyde away.
Berwick will be hoping for a repeat of last season this weekend when all four league encounters between the sides ended in victories for whichever side was at home. Berwick winning 2-0 early in the season and 4-1 in the most recent game at Shielfield Park, with Steven Thomson netting a hat-trick.
The team celebrate securing the win in our opening League Two fixture.
Berwick Team News
For the first time this season John Coughlin has all his players fit and ready to go. Coughlin will face a difficult decision as to the starting 11 as Andrew Irving, Kevin Waugh and Callum Donaldson are available again having been ineligible for the mid-week cup game.
Recent injury concerns Pat Scullion, Gary Phillips, Steve Notman and Kevin McKinlay are all in the squad.
Annan Athletic News
The side from Galabank will be arriving in Berwick having bolstered their striking options recently with the arrival of Brandon Luke on a development loan until 8th January 2018. Brandon will be in the squad.
Annan have also re-signed former striker Blair Henderson this week following his parting of the ways with Stirling Albion. Henderson, who played for the club previously in 2013/14, will be familiar to supporters at Shielfield Park having played for the ‘Gers during 2015/16 and scored over 20 goals for the club.
Henderson is likely to be involved.
Both Luke and Henderson will be hoping to link up with Aidan Smith who will be feeling confident following a hat-trick against Celtic under 20’s in the cup this week.
Odds
SPFL title sponsors Ladbrokes find it difficult to separate the teams for this match.
Berwick 29/20
Draw 12/5
Annan 29/20
Admission
The game will be £12 for adults, £7 for concessions and kids will be allowed to watch the game for free, as with all home league games this season.
Officials
Mike Roncone will be the referee on Saturday with Jordan Stokoe and Ryan Lee as his assistants.
Fans of both the home and away clubs are invited to enjoy the hospitality of BRFC TV sponsors, The Red Lion, located a three minute walk from Berwick-Upon-Tweed railway station prior to and following the match, where they will be treated to complimentary food when purchasing a drink.
We look forward to seeing you all at the game.
