BRFC vs Albion Rover March Report 24-25

Berwick secured an impressive 2-0 win over in-form Albion Rovers at Shielfield Park to mark the Gers’ first home league win since July.

Jamie Watson score his first goal for the Gers in unusual fashion as his intended cross ended up in the back of the net. Ben McCrystal scored Berwick’s second with a terrific free-kick early in the second half.

Albion went into this game unbeaten in their last nine league games and they started the game looking like the in-form team. Kai Kirkpatrick found himself in space 30 yards out and his shot was tipped over by Calum Antell.

The visitors should have had the lead minutes later but not by their play but by the mistakes of the Berwick team. Cai MacNamara’s pass was tame and was pounced upon by Murray MacKintosh who ran in on goal. MacKintosh unleashed his shot that went past the stranded Antell but rolled wide of the post to scupper a golden opportunity for Albion Rovers.

The Dream Team looked to respond as some nice interplay between MacNamara and McCrystal paved the way for a Berwick attack. McCrystal’s quick feet in the middle of the park created space for a shot that ended up a yard wide of the post.

The game became a more even one as the Gers battled for control in the midfield with Lewis Barr and Kane O’Connor. Berwick won the ball in the middle and the ball was played into the feet of Watson as he ran towards goal. Watson’s powerful strike was saved by the feet of Ross Connelly, but the rebound fell perfectly for McCrystal to score. However, McCrystal scuffed his shot, and the ball was blocked on the line by Alan Reid as both sides wasted huge opportunities to find the breakthrough goal.

Five minutes later however and the first goal of the game arrived. Watson made another of his bursting runs down the left. He looked to find the debutant Rayan Mohammed at the back post but Watson’s cross looped over Connelly and nestled into the net at the back post to score his first Berwick goal in strange fashion. The Dream Team taking the lead for the second consecutive game as they looked to hold onto all three points this time around.

Both sides struggled to create anything dangerous early in the second half as the rain began to have an effect on the playing surface. Mohammed showed promising signs on his first outing in black and gold, as he won a free-kick around 25 yards out.

McCrystal was quick to take the ball as he stepped up to the set-piece. His shot was whipped over the wall and smashed the top right corner of the net that was met by the loud cheers of the crowd at Shielfield Park. Berwick scoring their second which gave them a two-goal lead for the first time in the league this season.

In-form Albion seemed shocked by the sucker punch of Berwick’s second goal as the Dream Team began to dominate proceedings. Operation route one was causing the visitors problems too as Antell’s direct kick sent Watson through on goal. Watson’s shot could only be deflected off the retreating Reid and the ball ended up safe in Connelly’s hands.

Mohammed continued his fine display up front for Berwick and was desperate to add his name to the scoresheet as he was fed down the right by O’Connor. Mohammed used his pace to get a shot off that was expertly tipped wide by Connelly to keep his side in the game.

The resulting corner was met by Jamie McCormack, but the ball was somehow kept out at point-blank range by Connelly once again. Albion managed to scramble the ball clear, and many would think Berwick were the team bang in form based on their second half performance.

Just over five minutes from the 90 and McCrystal was at the heart of Berwick’s positive play once again as he fought to win the ball back in Albion’s defensive third. McCrystal roamed into the box, and he was brought down by Adam Fernie to leave the ref no choice but to award a Berwick penalty.

Watson stepped up to the spotkick and opted for power, but the lack of placement saw his strike saved by Connelly as the game couldn’t be put to bed just yet.

Another positive for Berwick was their strong defensive display with Jamie Pyper and McCormack as they managed to limit the Albion threat towards the end.

The Dream Team saw the win out to mark their first league win in front of a great crowd of 469 at Shielfield Park. The win is Berwick’s first at home since the opening day victory over Linlithgow Rose all the way back in July. Thomas Scobbie’s side are now two games unbeaten and climb three places to 11th in the Lowland League table. The Gers’ win is their first of six home games in a row with the Dream Team next in action next Saturday as they face Armadale in the third round of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup at Shielfield Park.