BRFC vs Gala – 24-25 Match Report

Berwick suffered a 2-1 defeat to Gala Fairydean Rovers at Shielfield Park in a crucial clash between sides towards the bottom of the Lowland League table.

Joe Wylie scored after just 40 seconds for Gala. Grant Nelson equalised after 20 minutes for the Dream Team, but Che Reilly’s long-range strike turned out to be the winner for the visitors.

In a game where both sides are known for a slow start, one side had the perfect start. Gala’s opening minute corner was swung in by Liam Watt which was missed by Nelson at the front post. Wylie capitalised on the mistake as he bundled the ball into the net to give the visitors the lead after just 40 seconds.

The Dream Team responded well, and it was all through Rayan Mohammed. His pace caused issues for the two Fairydean centre halves, which saw both receive early yellow cards for sinnacle fouls on Mohammed.

On the 20-minute mark, Ben McCrystal managed to find Mohammed in space down the left. Mohammed’s low cross was the perfect invite for a shot, but Niall Kemp failed to make contact. However, behind Kemp was Nelson who slotted the ball home from just outside the six–yard box to level the game up.

Berwick’s equaliser seemed to spark some confidence into the team, as they began to put the visitors under intense pressure in their defensive third.

Despite growing into the game, it was Gala Fairydean who pulled back in front. Reilly drifted over from the left to receive the ball in the middle 25 yards out. He set out a shot on his strong left foot and he struck superbly to find the bottom left corner. The Gers falling behind once more.

Like Berwick, Fairydean’s second gave them the upper hand in attacking play. A Gala free-kick from just inside the Berwick half found its way to Kieran Dolan inside the box. He managed to turn and unleash a shot that left Calum Antell flat-footed as he watched the ball fly inches over the bar.

As the first half drew to a close, the Gers nearly grabbed their second equaliser. Kemp capitalised on a Gala mistake at the back to run in on goal. His low shot forced a strong save from Zach Balfour down to his left-hand side as Gala held their lead at the break.

Gala started the second half on top as they looked to extend their lead in this crucial encounter. A quick free-kick caught Berwick out with Reilly receiving the ball high up the pitch on the left, played onside by Jamie Pyper. He cut inside and shot from just inside the box that was parried by Antell straight to Wylie. His shot could only be blocked by Pyper as Berwick survived the onslaught.

The Dream Team’s prominent play seemed to be coming from long balls. Antell launched a direct ball to Mohammed in which he managed to control just outside the Gala box. However, his shot from a slightly tight angle could only hit the side netting.

The game began to get very scrappy in the last 15 minutes as Fairydean ran the ball into the corner when they could as they looked to see out a massive away win.

Several Berwick players were booked towards the end with the referee not shy to blow his whistle which only added more frustration to the crowd at Shielfield Park.

As the clock ticked towards the 90th minute, Berwick had a late corner. Scott-Taylor MacKenzie, making his second debut in black and gold, swung it in that was met by Pyper. His header was flicked by the right foot of Alfie Robinson with the ball heading for the top corner. However, Balfour somehow got his fingertips to the ball to push it over in a save worthy of a win.

Moments later, another scramble in the box saw the ball seemingly strike the arm of a Gala defender. Almost the entire Berwick team threw their arms in the air towards the referee claiming for a penalty, but the referee was unmoved. The dissent of Robinson was too much for the referee who dished out two yellow cards to the defender and was consequently sent off. The sending off was certainly a questionable decision given the lack of action taken for blatant time wasting by the visitors throughout the second half.

Robinson’s dismissal sapped the energy out of the Gers as they couldn’t find an equaliser. Gala Fairydean leave Shielfield Park with all three points which sees them climb above the Gers into 15th in the Lowland League table. Berwick slip to 16th after their fourth straight league defeat. The Gers will look to get revenge as they face Gala once again in their next game, as they travel to Netherdale Stadium in their first game of 2025 next Saturday.

Ben Langley