Berwick v Ashington Match Report
Berwick v Ashington Match Report
Berwick secured a comfortable 5-0 win over Ashington AFC in a pre-season friendly at Shielfield Park.
Mikey Mbewe opened the scoring within three minutes for Berwick, before Greg Binnie made it two just before the break. Ryan Turner made it 3-0 early in the second half, with Binnie then scoring his second and Berwick’s fourth on 55 minutes. Josh O’Connor made it 5-0 with around twenty minutes remaining to complete a great day for the Gers.
Berwick began the game strongly as Alex Harris gathered the ball in midfield. He then split the Ashington defence with his through ball to Mbewe. The winger managed to poke the ball past Matthew Alexander and the ball nestled in the bottom left corner to give the Gers the lead after just three minutes.
The Dream Team’s great start nearly got better as Turner’s cross from the left was begging for a tap-in, but Ryan Wombwell got a touch on the ball ahead of Binnie to prevent another goal in the opening minutes of the game.
Ashington had their first chance of the game just after the ten-minute mark as Benji Shodeinde received the ball on the left before cutting inside. He then went for goal, but his effort was well blocked by Mark McConnell.
Moments later, Berwick nearly had the ball in the net themselves as Danny Handling and Binnie exchanged some swift passing before Binnie was sent in on goal. However, the Gers striker could only direct his effort wide.
Binnie was in on goal again around ten minutes later as Ben McCrystal’s long ball picked out the Berwick striker. Binnie’s shot saw the ball squirm under Alexander, but the keeper managed to grab the ball before it rolled over the line.
The game was a balanced one in its early stages as it was then Ashington’s turn to attack. A cross from the left caused a goalmouth scramble as the ball eventually broke to Karl Ross outside the box. His shot was deflected over by Turner.
The resulting corner was cleared by Berwick which led to a counter-attack led by Binnie. He was forced wide on the left but delivered an excellent cross to O’Connor at the back post. He stretched for the ball but could only direct his effort wide of the goal.
Binnie created another chance less than a minute later. This time he picked out Handling but his effort at the near post went wide.
Just before half-time, Caelan McCrone received the ball in midfield. He managed to pick out Binnie with a delicate through ball and the striker’s shot went past the stricken Alexander and into the bottom left corner to double the Dream Team’s lead. Berwick held the two-goal advantage at half-time.
Berwick began the second half just as well as the first as they continued to show their attacking prowess. Turner ran down the left before opting for a shot that was saved by the feet of Alexander which nearly fell perfectly for Binnie, but the ball was just out of reach for the Berwick striker.
The resulting corner by Turner saw the ball fall nicely for O’Connor whose shot smacked off the bar and into the net to give Berwick a 3-0 lead. O’Connor’s goal was his first in black and gold which was deserving of his strong performance.
Just under ten minutes later, McCrystal’s long ball picked out Binnie who managed to round the onrushing Alexander before slotting the ball into the net to make it 4-0 to the Gers.
Chances were few and far between as Berwick were cruising with a comfortable lead. As the game entered its final twenty minutes, it was the weather that became the main action at Shielfield Park. The rain began to hammer down which was then followed by thunder and lightning which brought a gasp to those in attendance.
Berwick soon had their fifth of the afternoon as No.20 Trialist sprinted down the right before cutting the ball back to an unmarked Handling in the middle of the box. His shot saw Alexander get a hand to it, but the ball trickled into the bottom left corner as Berwick’s strong pre-season form continued with another goal frenzy.
The Dream Team nearly had a sixth towards the end as McCrone’s cross from the right was begging for a Binnie tap-in for his hat-trick, but the ball was slightly behind him, and he ended up flicking the ball clear.
Ashington came close to a consolation at the end as Samuel Davison received the ball on the left before cutting inside and shooting but his effort went wide.
Moments later, Josh Gilchrist had a free-kick around 35 yards out that went straight into the hands of Calum Antell in what was pretty much the only work the Berwick goalkeeper had all day.
Berwick eased to a 5-0 win to continue their impressive pre-season campaign. The Gers are next in action on Tuesday as they welcome Stobswood Welfare in another friendly at Shielfield Park.