Berwick v Bo’ness United Match Report 25-26
Berwick secured a top half finish in the Lowland League after a thrilling 4-2 win over Bo’ness United at Shielfield Park.
The Gers stormed into a 3-0 half-time lead through goals from Greg Binnie, Harry Wright and Caelan McCrone. Lewis Hodgkiss pulled one back for Bo’ness before Binnie’s second restored the Dream Team’s 3-goal advantage. Kieran Mitchell scored a consolation towards the end, but Berwick secured a 4-2 win to finish eighth in the Lowland League table.
The Gers began the game on top as Taylor Hendry received the ball on the left-hand side. He found Struan Mair on the overlap before he whipped in a terrific cross towards Binnie. However, the Berwick forward failed to make sufficient contact with the ball to spurn a great chance for the opening goal.
Berwick sprung forward once again as Hendry’s delicate flick found McCrone. His cross hit the arm of Mark McLuckie and the referee pointed to the spot for a Berwick penalty. Binnie stepped up and smashed the ball into the top left corner to give Berwick the lead just before the twenty-minute mark.
Bo’ness United responded to falling behind with a chance of their own. The ball fell nicely to Roan Fitzpatrick outside the box. His low shot went just wide of the post.
The visitors had another chance just over five minutes later from a set piece. Fitzpatrick’s free-kick from 25 yards out went straight into the hands of Liam Campbell.
Berwick created another chance of their own ten minutes later.Campbell’s long kick was brought down superbly by Hendry before he passed to Binnie. His cross found an unmarked Wright at the back post. The Berwick winger was the coolest man in Shielfield Park as his fake shot created space for his shot that went into the bottom right corner to double the Dream Team’s lead. Another goal for the fans’ player of the season Wright in what has been a superb season for the winger.
Just under five minutes later and Berwick added a third. A long ball into the Bo’ness box put Jordan Armstrong under pressure from McCrone. The Berwick man managed to nip in and win the ball before smashing his shot into the top left corner to send the Gers into dreamland.
Berwick thought they had another penalty just before half-time as Mair was brought down by McLuckie. However, Mair was carded for simulation despite significant contact made by the Bo’ness defender. Berwick held a 3-0 lead at half-time.
Bo’ness United began the second half on top as Berwick looked to hold what they have. The visitors won a free-kick ten minutes into the second half after Callum Mackay fouled Thomas Grant. Hodgkiss stepped up from outside the box and his effort was terrific as it found the top left corner to get a goal back for the visitors.
One goal nearly quickly turned into another for Bo’ness as a long ball caused confusion between Campbell and Alfie Robinson. Hodgkiss capitalised as he opted for a shot from a tight angle that was saved by Campbell at his near post.
Bo’ness continued to pile the pressure on the Gers. Former Berwick man Jamie Watson got on the end of a through ball. His shot was well saved by the feet of Campbell.
Bo’ness had another great chance fifteen minutes from time. Hodgkiss sent Mitchell in on goal, and he managed to round Campbell, but his shot rolled agonisingly wide.
Just before the final ten minutes, substitute Jonny Devers slipped Wright in on goal. He squared the pass to Robinson who tapped into the empty net but was somehow caught offside as it seemed the defender was too keen to get the goal and was caught ahead of the ball when Wright played the pass.
As the game neared its conclusion, Bo’ness began to throw numerous players forward in an attempt to continue their fightback. However, it was Berwick who capitalised as Devers received the ball in huge amounts of space on the left. His low cross picked out an unmarked Binnie who tapped into the goal to make it 4-1 and seal a top-half finish for the Gers. Binnie’s second of the afternoon also saw him clinch the Dream Team’s top scorer award.
Five minutes from time and Bo’ness scored their second as Campbell was caught out by the bounce of a long ball as it went straight over the Berwick goalkeeper and Mitchell capitalised by heading into the empty net.
Berwick secured a thrilling 4-2 win to leapfrog ahead of Bo’ness United and finish the Lowland League season in 8thplace. Bo’ness held onto a top half finish in 9th.
On reflection of the season as a whole, it was a season of strong progression by the Gers as they secured a top-half finish and a goal tally that was doubled from last season. It will be exciting to see if the Gers can continue this positive momentum heading into next season.
👨💻 | Ben Langley