Berwick v Bo’Ness United Match Report
Berwick Rangers were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Bo’Ness United in a mid-table clash at Shielfield Park in the Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland League.
Former Gers player Michael Travis was the difference between the two sides, with his header just before half-time.
Thomas Scobbie began the game with a back three and his side started the game solidly and their first chance came through Max McGinley as his terrific cross was met by the diving header of Grant Nelson. He saw his header nestle into the bottom left corner, but the very brief cheers of the crowd were halted by the linesman’s offside flag.
Bo’Ness United looked to respond as Ryan Porteous’ swinging long ball fell perfectly for Lucas Stenhouse. The winger skipped the challenge of the retreating Joe Ellison before squaring the ball to Smart Osadolor. His first-time effort was expertly saved at point-blank range by Calum Antell before the Berwick defence could scramble the ball clear.
The visitors began to gain the upper hand with Stenhouse showing his consistent quality to lead the Bo’Ness attack. His quick feet created space for a one-two pass with Osadolor before Stenhouse saw his 20-yard strike deflect just over the bar.
Just after the half-hour mark, Alan Cook took a corner for the Gers which was poor and couldn’t beat the first man. Cook was fortunate to receive the rebound and he did better with the second phase as he picked out Cai MacNamara 25 yards out. His strike was a good one to force Cade Melrose into a save to his left and he did well to hold onto the ball from any pouncers in black and gold.
Bo’Ness United were still edging the play, and they showed their threat from set–pieces too. An inswinging corner from the left was flicked on by Osadolor which crashed off the bar as Berwick somehow survived.
However, another corner minutes later forced the breakthrough for Bo’Ness United. Keir MacAulay’s inswinger from the right this time was met by former Berwick man Michael Travis. His header inside the six-yard box couldn’t be stopped by Antell as the ball nestled in the bottom left corner to put Bo’Ness ahead. The visitors held that lead at the break.
Berwick boss Thomas Scobbie switched to a back four for the second half with Jonny Devers, who scored two goals on Saturday, replacing Joe Ellison.
The Gers still struggled to create regular chances as it was once again Stenhouse at the heart of the Bo’Ness attack. The ball broke to him in midfield before a burst of pace was too much for Cook down the left as Stenhouse drove into the box before seeing his near-post effort saved by Antell.
Five minutes later, it was almost a repeat of the opening goal for Bo’Ness. MacAulay’s delivery was whipped in with pace to find Travis at the back post. The centre-back almost scored his second on his return to Shielfield Park as he forced Antell into a fingertip save.
The resulting corner was better defended by Berwick, and it forced a counter-attack led by Matty Collins. It was a two-on-two situation with Collins slipping in Devers, but he was forced a little too far wide and his shot was tame and straight into Melrose’s gloves.
Bo’Ness United resumed their offensive as Michael Gemmell played in Osadolor who beat the offside trap to send him through on goal. His attempt to nutmeg Antell with the finish didn’t succeed as Antell’s legs prevented the second goal for the visitors.
The Dream Team were running out of time with set pieces seemingly being their only route to goal. However, several Berwick corners lacked in quality. The Gers’ final chance came in the 94th minute with a Grant Nelson free-kick. But his cross couldn’t beat the first man, and the ref blew his whistle for the final time to seal a home loss for Berwick. A set-piece that summed up the game with Bo’Ness being effective on the dead balls, and Berwick unable to replicate it.
Berwick’s fifth defeat of the Lowland League campaign sees them remain in 10th place, whereas Bo’Ness climb up to 7th. The Dream Team return on Saturday as they face the challenging test of reigning champions East Kilbride at Shielfield Park.
