Berwick v Linlithgow Match Report

Berwick v Linlithgow Match Report
Berwick secured a thrilling 3-1 win over high-flyingLinlithgow Rose in the Lowland League at Shielfield Parkwith the Gers playing over an hour with ten men due to Jamie Pyper’s red card.
Mikey Mbewe opened the scoring early on for Berwick, before Pyper’s dismissal midway through the first half for a handball offence on the goal line. Lucas Stenhouse converted the resulting penalty to level the game again. Kyle Somers put Berwick back in front after a great assist by Taylor Hendry. Blair Sneddon secured the terrific result with Berwick’s third after a counter-attack five minutes from the end.
The Gers started the game well as they troubled the visitors with numerous long balls into the box. The game’s first real chance came from a set-piece. Alex Harris’ corner was met by the diving header of Pyper. He got a great connection on it but his header was cleared off the line. Berwick recycled the ball to Michael Barfoot. His long ball caused chaos in the Linlithgow defence as the ball dropped to Mbewe. He kept his composure and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to give Berwick the lead.
Linlithgow struggled to settle into the game as Berwick looked to hold onto their lead. However, these hopes were dashed just before the half-hour mark. A loose ball broke nicely for Calum Rae in the box and he managed to round Liam Campbell for a clear shot at goal. His effort was blocked on the line by Pyper, but by the arm of the Berwick skipper. The referee awarded Linlithgow a penalty and Pyper was sent off for the handball offence.
Stenhouse stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to bring the score level again. Kevin Haynes then brought on Struan Mair for goalscorer Mbewe as the Berwick manager needed to adjust the spine of the team after Pyper’s red card.
Linlithgow’s one player advantage meant they began to dominate the play at Shielfield Park. The visitors opted for several long balls to put the changed Berwick backline under pressure. Rae received a long ball as he beat the offside trap before unleashing a shot that was saved at point-blank range by Campbell. The rebound fell to Oliver Hamilton, whose shot was blocked on the line by Alfie Robinson.
Cameron Thomson was the key playmaker for Rose towards the end of the first half. He created numerous opportunities from the left as they looked to exploit the man advantage. The best opportunity found Rae but his first-time shot went straight into the hands of Campbell.
The Dream Team nearly snatched the lead again just before half-time. Harry Wright showed great ball control to find space just outside the Rose box. His shot took a deflection and flew just inches wide of the post. However, the score was 1-1 at half-time.
Like the first half, Berwick had the first chance to score at the beginning of the second half. Harris’ corner was glanced on by the head of Barfoot and it ended up just wide of the post.
Minutes later and Linlithgow responded with a chance of their own. Stenhouse nearly scored his and his team’s second as he reacted quickly to unleash a shot in the box that was brilliantly saved by Campbell.
Linlithgow Rose brought on former Gers player Blair Henderson in place of Connor McMullan, as the visitors increased their attacking presence.
However, it was their defence that was showing issues as Berwick retook the lead midway through the second half. Harry Wright done very well to win a tackle high up the pitch as Hendry picked up the ball. He held the ball up nicelybefore picking out an unmarked Kyle Somers at the back post. He smashed the ball in to send Shielfield Park wild as the Gers retook the lead against the odds.
Rose nearly squared the game up again instantly. A corner kick was recycled to Hamilton on the edge of the box. His delivery found Greg Skinner wide open in the box but his header somehow went wide.
With just over ten minutes to play another chance went begging for Linlithgow. A cross into the box made its way to Stenhouse at the back post. He cut inside but his thunderous strike was blazed over.
Five minutes from the end and as the visitors threw everyone forward searching for an equaliser, Berwick were able to launch a counter-attack. Hendry picked out substitute Caelan McCrone as he sprinted with the ball towards goal. His squared pass found Sneddon and his shot was massively deflected and the ball trickled over the line to make it 3-1 to the hosts. The crowd at Shielfield Park let out a huge roar as it felt like the unthinkable win was secured.
The Dream Team saw out the win which was fully deserved from their performance after going down to ten men. Berwick rise to 10th in the Lowland League table while Linlithgow remain in 3rd. The Gers return to action on Tuesday night as they travel to Caledonian Braves, with a win there taking Berwick above their opponents.