Berwick v Gretna 2008 Match Report 25-26
Berwick secured a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Gretna 2008 in the Lowland League at Shielfield Park.
Taylor Hendry scored twice including a 94th minute winner with Liam Buchanan scoring an astounding overhead kick.
Gretna held a 2-goal lead all down to Berwick’s making. Struan Mair and Joe Ellison put the ball in their own net before the Gers started their incredible comeback.
The Dream Team had the first chance of the game. Alex Harris played a superb through ball to Struan Mair on the right-hand side. His low cross across goal was begging to be met, but Kyle Somers couldn’t get on the end of it.
Gretna 2008 responded with a chance of their own. Hayden Tait had space on the right to whip in a cross. Running onto his delivery was Robbie Ivison, who was challenged by Mair. The ball hit the head of Mair and ended up in the bottom right corner as Gretna took the lead.
The opening goal gave Gretna the momentum as they looked to build on their lead. Sam Atkinson stepped up to a deep free-kick on the right. His cross was met by the diving header of Andrew Oram, but he saw the ball crash off the crossbar.
The Gers hit the woodwork themselves minutes later. Michael Barfoot picked out Struan Mair on the overlap just outside the box. He had options in the box but opted for a shot from a tight angle that hit the outside of the post and out for a goal-kick.
Oram was at the centre of Gretna’s offensive again. He led the counter-attack before passing to Sean McKenzie. He swivelled before unleashing a shot that looped over Liam Campbell’s goal.
Berwick grew into the game as the first half went on but failed to create any clear-cut chances. Just before half-time, Ben McCrystal’s dinked cross was flicked towards goal by Hendry, but it was comfortable for keeper Jim Atkinson to deal with. Gretna 2008 led 1-0 at half-time.
The Dream Team had their best chance of the game in the opening few minutes of the second half. Joe Ellison found himself high up the pitch and whipped a cross into the box. Hendry shrugged off the challenge from Stuart Douglas, but he guided his header wide from close range.
Minutes later, Mair picked out Greg Binnie in space inside the box. However, his shot was blocked at the last gasp by Logan Sinclair.
Gretna, who began the day second-bottom of the Lowland League, were looking better than their league position suggests. Oram executed a terrific flick over his head that sent Kyan Gunn through on goal. His shot was saved by Campbell, but the ball squirmed under him and McKenzie latched onto the rebound and the ball was bundled over the line with a retreating Ellison getting the final touch. Gretna with a two-goal lead with under twenty minutes to play.
Kevin Haynes reacted instantly to his side falling two goals behind. McCrystal, Mair and Somers were replaced by Buchanan, Blair Sneddon and Caelan McCrone.
Hendry was the standout player for Berwick all game and he gave the home fans a lifeline with fifteen minutes to play. He received the ball on the right and showed great determination to drive towards the box. He went for goal and his effort deflected off Douglas and looped over Atkinson and into the goal. A touch of good fortune gave the Gers late hope.
Alfie Robinson was thrown onto the pitch up front to give Berwick a focal point as they searched for an equaliser. The Dream Team sent cross after cross into the Gretna box. One cross from the right caused chaos in the middle and a flick-on made its way to Buchanan. The veteran striker went for an overhead kick, and he executed it perfectly to find the bottom left corner. Shielfield Park went wild as Berwick were level again and it was a goal fitting of any comeback.
However, the late drama continued into stoppage time.Berwick had all the momentum to grab an unthinkable winning goal as Gretna struggled to deal with the crosses into the box. Harris stepped over a free-kick that was launched into the area that caused more chaos amongst Gretna’s defence. The ball broke to Hendry who lashed at the ball, and he beat Atkinson at his near post to score the winner. The crowd went wild as Berwick snatched all three points when defeat looked a certainty with just twenty minutes to go, and it was fully deserving for Hendry to be the match winner after his fine display.
The Dream Team secured a stunning win to return to winning ways. The Gers remain 12th in the Lowland League table with Gretna remaining in 17th. Berwick’s next game is away to Caledonian Braves next Saturday as they look to secure back-to-back wins.