Berwick v Linlithgow Rose Match Report
Berwick Rangers edged out Linlithgow Rose in a nervy encounter to get the new season underway with all three points.
Liam Buchanan scored the only goal of the game after three minutes, as Grant Nelson was sent off in the second half for the Gers.
The game and the new season got off to the perfect start for the Dream Team. Jonny Devers delivered a terrific cross-field pass to send Liam Buchanan one-on-one. The prolific Buchanan calmly slotted the ball into the corner to open the scoring on three minutes.
Linlithgow looked to gain control of the game after their early setback as their neat play found Louis Maguire in space on the left. His cross was met by Sean Brown who smartly back-flicked the ball to Dylan Paterson whose effort was well saved by Calum Antell.
The visitors survived a major scare five minutes later as a long ball from the right slipped through the fingers of Rose’s Cammy Binnie, but the ball was scrambled clear before the pouncing Buchanan could capitalise.
Berwick’s threat continued to come from long balls as a Jamie Stevenson corner was met on the volley by skipper Jamie McCormack with a last-gasp clearance off the line preventing the Dream Team from doubling their lead.
The new-look Berwick defence was holding strong as Linlithgow struggled to create many chances. Maguire and Brown looked to be the main threat, but Brown’s header went comfortably over the bar towards the end of the first half.
Unlike the first half, it was Linlithgow that started the second period the better team. Brown done well to beat the offside trap to find himself in on goal. The charging Antell failed to intervene, and Brown laid the ball to Paterson but was denied by a terrific block by Berwick’s No 10 trialist.
Things got worse for the Dream Team as Grant Nelson was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge which forced Berwick firmly on the back foot.
Midway through the second half, Rose’s Calum Rae danced left and right in the attempt for some space against Berwick’s low block. Rae’s effort was deflected which made Antell’s diving save to his left the more spectacular as Berwick continued to hold their slender lead.
Linlithgow’s onslaught continued as they threw numerous attacking subs on, but Berwick remained resilient. Jamie McCormack was the latest to keep the sheet clean as a Paterson corner was met by Jacob Comerford. His header was blocked on the line by the Berwick captain to somehow keep the score 1-0.
McCormack was again the hero for the Dream Team as another Linlithgow corner forced a second last-gasp clearance from McCormack in the space of a few minutes. Frustration was beginning to tell from the visitors’ bench and the significant number of away support at Shielfield Park.
The black and gold bus was well and truly parked as the game ticked towards 90. Rose’s Connor McMullan drove into the box with pace and seemed to be brought down by Trialist No.10. However, the ref blew his whistle to book McMullan for simulation, much to the relief of the home supporters.
Berwick had their first shot in the second half in the 94th minute as Aaron Laidlaw capitalised on the counter-attack but he looked shattered as his effort went over the bar.
The clock ticked towards 97 minutes before the ref finally blew his whistle as Berwick dramatically held on in a second half dominated by Linlithgow. The Dream Team begin the campaign with three points, a perfect start for Thomas Scobbie’s squad. There’s not long to wait until Berwick are back in action, as they host St Mirren B in the first round of the SPFL Trust Trophy on Tuesday night.
Ben Langley
