Broomhill 2 – 0 Berwick Rangers: Match Report
Thomas Scobbie’s unbeaten start as Berwick boss ended as his side fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Broomhill.
A penalty from Paul Kennedy and a Corey O’Donnell strike either side of half time ensured Berwick left Dumbarton empty handed.
There was hope coming into this game after an excellent performance last time out against Tranent and Scobbie opted to name an unchanged line up with Jamie McCormack deemed fit to play after going off on Saturday with a potential head knock.
Berwick started like a side that were encouraged after a good performance, using the excellent surface at The Rock to knock the ball around well with Broomhill happy to play without the ball and go direct. That Berwick possession would lead to the first real chance of the game with good midfield work from Drew Cummings and Alex Harris managing to work the ball to Cammy Graham just inside the area. The wide man came onto his favoured left foot and his low effort beat Luke Scullion but smacked off the post.
It was a let off for the home side and Broomhill quickly showed the danger they possessed. Joe Murphy picked the ball up inside his own half and, with no pressure forthcoming, drove through midfield. He was allowed to run almost 50 yards untouched before opting for a shot from the edge of the area that forced a good save from Antell.
Berwick continued to be patient and try to probe for an opening throughout the first half and that play almost found them an opener. McCormack won a 50/50 with Sam Ellis and Graham was set away down the right. Broomhill centre half Creag Little went out to close him down but Graham did well to get it onto his left and pick out a lovely cross for Cummings, who volleyed wide.
Berwick would rue that missed chance when, a couple of minutes after, Broomhill would take the lead. A little bit of sloppiness had crept into Berwick’s play and Broomhill were starting to gain confidence and a long ball from captain Michael Miller caught Scott Bright out. O’Donnell was through on the right and the St Johnstone loanee, in his desperation to make up for the initial error, hauled down the forward. It was a clear penalty and Kennedy, who had scored 5 already this season, sent Callum Antell the wrong way.
Thomas Scobbie would have undoubtedly been frustrated that any good work had been undone by conceding a cheap goal but he would have been furious when the hosts doubled their lead just after the break. Bayley Klimionek tried a turn near the Broomhill box but was dispossessed easily and, with Berwick trying to get back, Kennedy played an excellent ball through to O’Donnell. Broomhill’s number 9 had plenty of time to set himself and fire into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
However, Berwick had a chance to almost instantly get back into the game. Quicker passing was causing Broomhill a problem and Klimionek’s flick was missed by Little. Cummings seized on the chance inside the area, beating Ross Smith but opted to try and put height on it and his effort went just over the crossbar.
Broomhill though were growing in confidence and O’Donnell was causing plenty of problems. The forward showed great skill to beat Stevenson on the right but opted to shoot into the side netting from a tight angle when he had better options before moments later, forcing Antell into a save from a good header.
Berwick were now struggling to create much with Broomhill defending solidly but did have one late chance to try and get one back. Graham Taylor, who had moved over to the right, found half a yard of space and delivered a brilliant ball to the back post for substitute Kyle Baker, who got up well but headed right at Scullion, who had positioned himself brilliantly to save it.
In the end, though, it wasn’t enough with Berwick left frustrated on a night where they dominated possession but didn’t quite have the end product to get a result. The Dream Team remain 14th in the Lowland League with all eyes now turning toward Saturday’s trip to Civil Service Strollers.
Match Report by Eion Smith
