Bo’ness vs BRfC 24-25

Berwick ended a seven game losing streak with a 1-1 draw at Bo’ness United that left manager Thomas Scobbie ‘really proud’ of his team.

Ben McCrystal’s first goal for Berwick midway through the first looked to be enough to give the Dream Team all three points until Louis Kennedy levelled five minutes from time.

It could have been so much different though on a night where Berwick had one goal chalked off for offside and Bo’ness hit the post and the crossbar.

Thomas Scobbie made two alterations from the side that lost disappointingly at Broxburn at the weekend, handing new signing Niall Kemp his debut alongside Jamie Watson up front with Cai MacNamara coming in on the left of midfield. Alan Cook missed out while Jonny Devers went to the bench.

Bo’ness were the early pacesetters on a crisp November evening as they looked to capitalise on any nervousness from a Berwick side that had struggled in recent weeks. Ryan Stevenson put one over from range before Smart Osadolor dragged a shot wide of the post.

Berwick grew into the first half but should have been behind after 18 minutes. Good work from Kennedy down the right got him beyond Owen Calder and his cross was outstanding for Tom Grant at the back post but the forward could only cushion his volley wide of goal.

It was a horrible miss and, less than five minutes later, Berwick found their way through. Kemp, who had been lively all half, battled for the ball and got the ricochet to McCrystal, who showed great composure to work the ball onto his left foot and fire beyond Cade Melrose into the bottom corner.

It was Berwick’s first goal in a month but it was almost cancelled out immediately. The Berwick defence wasn’t able to fully clear another delivery into the area and Stevenson unleashed a brilliant dipping effort from the edge of the area that hit the top of the crossbar and bounced over.

The game was developing into a fantastic game of football with both sides playing some good stuff and looking to score and Berwick could have easily had a second. A brilliant ball from Kane O’Connor sent Lewis Barr scampering through on goal but his left footed shot was stopped by the feet of Melrose.

Berwick were pushing for that crucial second goal and, just before half time, they could have had it. A lovely flick from McCrystal got Kemp in behind and new signing opted for power, forcing Melrose to parry. Kemp was alert to the situation and put the ball back across the area to find MacNamara but the midfielder’s effort could only find the main road behind the goal.

It had been a brilliant first half from Berwick but it was an almost all-too-familiar feeling just a couple of minutes into the second half. Jamie Pyper under hit a backpass to Callum Antell and substitute Kieran Mitchell was onto it in a flash but Antell stood tall to stop anything more coming from it.

And, minutes later, Berwick were thankful to the woodwork for keeping them ahead. Jamie McCormack brought down Osadolor 25 yards out and Stevenson bent his free kick around the wall and cracked the outside of the post with Antell rooted to the spot.

Berwick were defending resolutely with Bo’ness limited to a couple of Michael Travis headers that were right at Antell and a Kennedy effort from range that was only a couple of inches too high. However, it looked like their big moment came and went with 13 minutes to play. Adam Masson delivered a teasing cross into the six yard box that caused some confusion at the back and Osadolor could only touch it wide of the far post.

It was a huge opportunity and it looked like it would be costly with 10 minutes to go when Berwick hit the back of the net again. A McCrystal free kick found the head of McCormack who guided a brilliant header beyond Melrose but his celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

And five minutes later, Bo’ness finally found their way through. Berwick were at sixes and sevens defending a long throw and a rushed Calder clearance fell right to the feet of Kennedy who smashed the ball low through the bodies and into the bottom corner.

The equaliser was deserved for the home side but it could have been more in stoppage time. Bo’ness broke as both teams pushed for the winner and the home side created an overload on their right, releasing Kennedy. His low cross was only partially clear and, with Bo’ness players queuing up to hit it, Grant could only fire over.

There was still time for one more glorious opportunity though. Another break from Bo’ness freed Stevenson on the right of the penalty area but his low effort was kept out by the feet of Antell who, moments later, made a ludicrous stop when it looked like Osadolor had a tap in although that would have been ruled out for offside.

In the end, the points were shared in a pulsating encounter and Scobbie was happy with what he saw from his side: “You could see it today, the energy and the effort the boys put in today that has maybe been lacking in the last three or four weeks so, in terms of what they gave us today, I was really proud of them.

I can’t ask for anything more from them tonight, they came and fought for everything. They were excellent to a man”

The draw sees Berwick remain 14th in the Lowland League with attention now turning to the first of five consecutive home games when Albion Rovers visit Shielfield on Saturday.