Berwick Rangers 1-2 Tranent – Match Report
Berwick were unable to be the first team to take a point off Lowland League East leaders Tranent as they fell to a battling 2-1 defeat.
Harry Girdwood’s well worked winner on the hour mark was enough to inflict a 5th league defeat on Berwick.
It started so promisingly for Berwick when a smartly worked corner routine fell to Ben McCrystal, whose effort was well saved by Tranent keeper Sam Scott. However, Scott pushed it up rather than behind and Greg Binnie was alive to the fact, forcing the ball home right on the goal line for his first league goal of the season.
Berwick’s lead would last less than five minutes when, after conceding a cheap free kick in a dangerous position, Nick Aitchison got on the end of Connor Doan’s excellent delivery to head the visitors level.
Both sides were creating opportunities but it would be the visitors that found the decisive breakthrough from a brilliant team move as Dean Brett got space on the left to find Girdwood on the penalty spot and the striker unleashed a powerful effort into the top corner, maintaining Tranent’s 100% record in the process.
Berwick did have opportunities to equalise with Kyle Somers squandering the best of them, somehow turning over from 4 yards out.
Performances Improving Without Results
A solid performance in the midweek win over Hibs B fed into another good performance against a Tranent side who have started the season with real intent. However, the all important results have not quite followed as Berwick suffered a fifth league defeat in seven games.
That certainly won’t be lost on manager Kevin Haynes who has had to contend with fitness issues galore throughout this season as his team have already played 12 games in less than two months, with another four still to play in September.
Greg Binnie likely was not due to play as much as he has in the last two games given he’s working his way back from a knock; Alfie Robinson has not played much football this season and had to put in more than 80 minutes against a top side while the likes of Alex Harris, Michael Mbewe and Ben McCrystal have all missed time with slight issues.
A lot was made of the character of the squad towards the tail end of last season and the tests of that will continue to come with two more tough league games in the coming week, then two massive tests against SPFL sides.
Next Up
It’s more midweek football as Berwick hit the road again to visit Christie Gillies Park when they face Civil Service Strollers in league action.