Berwick v Cowdenbeath Match Report 25-26
Berwick secured a 2-0 win against Cowdenbeath to begin the new Lowland League season with all three points.
Mikey Mbewe gave Berwick the lead before Struan Mair’s brilliant volley secured the win for the Gers.
The Dream Team had the first chance of the game. Kyle Somers found himself in space in the midfield and struck a volley that was straight at Owen Hayward. Berwick showing their intent early on.
Cowdenbeath began to grow into the game and pile the pressure on Berwick with numerous long balls towards their defence. A mix-up between new signings Mair and Callum Pitt cleared the way for Sam Newman to run down the left-hand side. With his options limited, Newman struck a fierce shot that flew over the bar.
The Blue Brazil began to dominate proceedings at Shielfield Park, with Berwick pushed back in their own half. Newman was the danger man once again as his shot inside the box was blocked. He got the ball back and picked out Darren Downie at the back post who tapped into the net but was caught offside.
Berwick finally clawed back some momentum out of nowhere. Jonny Devers received the ball from a throw-in just inside the Cowdenbeath box. The Berwick midfielder swivelled and struck a thunderous volley that was brilliantly tipped wide by Hayward.
The resulting corner by Devers picked out Liam Buchanan at the back post. He had time to touch and shoot that was deflected to Alfie Robinson where his effort was also blocked by a scrambling Cowdenbeath defence. However, the desperate defending couldn’t stop Mikey Mbewe as he poked the ball home to give Berwick the lead. A goal on his competitive debut for Mbewe as the Gers lead against the run of play.
Mbewe’s goal lifted the atmosphere in the stadium and that seemed to swing the momentum towards the home side.Buchanan had another chance towards the end of the half as he received Mbewe’s clever flick-on. Buchanan forced a save to Hayward’s right-hand side as Berwick led at the break.
Cowdenbeath continued as the better team in the second half. Jack Allan’s cross found Darren Downie at the back post. His first-time volley however was straight at Liam Campbell.
Berwick weren’t helping themselves in defence as they gave the ball away to Max Williamson. His squared pass to Liam Watt was destined for a goal but he smashed the ball over the bar to waste a golden opportunity for an equaliser.
Taylor Hendry showed good signs on his competitive Gers debut as he flicked the ball nicely onto Buchanan in space. However, Buchanan snatched at his shot that flew over the bar in what was Berwick’s best opportunity since the goal.
Minutes later, the Blue Brazil’s Downie beat Pyper to a header to find Williamson. The Cowdenbeath winger showed quick feet to skip past Ben McCrystal, but he poked his shot just wide.
Hendry was the link-up man once again for Berwick as he showed good ball control to find Mair on the edge of the box. He flicked the ball up before swinging a volley that saw the ball nestle in the bottom left corner to double Berwick’s lead. A sublime goal of technical skill by Berwick’s new midfield maestro edged Berwick closer to an opening day win.
Tempers boiled over into the last ten minutes as Jack Denham brought down Scott-Taylor MacKenzie with a nasty challenge that instigated a brawl between the two sets of players. Denham was booked for the challenge along with Williamson for dissent. Berwick’s Greg Binnie and Jamie Pyper were also cautioned.
Cowdenbeath thought they had a lifeline in the game late on. Another successful long ball found Zack Tomany before he picked out Watt at the back post who tapped in. However, like in the first half the offside flag prevented the visitors from scoring.
The Dream Team secured a 2-0 victory to start the season with all three points. There isn’t long to wait until the Gers are back in action as they travel to early table-toppers Tranent on Tuesday night.
