Celtic B vs Berwick Rangers 24-25
A disciplined Berwick side grabbed a deserved point at Celtic B but may feel that, on another day, they could have taken all three.
Arran Laidlaw had one effort cleared off the line and Jamie Watson was denied by a goal saving challenge in the first half to ensure the spoils were shared.
Berwick can be thankful to Callum Antell for a couple of brilliant saves and the crossbar which denied the hosts twice in the second half.
Thomas Scobbie made four changes from the side that beat Heriot-Watt University in the South Challenge Cup – Alan Cook and Jamie Stevenson missed out completely while Matty Collins and Thomas Kay dropped to the bench, replaced by Corrie Fellows, Grant Nelson, Liam Buchanan and Antell.
Berwick could have made a nightmare start, however, when Celtic had a glorious opportunity just a minute into the game. A ball inside Fellows came to Aidan Haddow and he squared it to an unmarked Francis Turley six yards out. Incredibly, the midfielder scuffed his finish and, despite committing to diving for the save across goal, Antell was able to adjust on the ground and poke the ball away from goal with his foot.
Celtic, as anticipated, were keen to keep possession and Berwick were happy to let them knock it around their back 4, pressuring anyone who got it in advanced areas. That discipline almost paid dividends when Jamie McCormack was able to rob Josh Dede on halfway. He set Laidlaw, on for the injured Buchanan, away who played Watson in down the left. His low cross wasn’t great but Kyle Ure tried to play out from his box and instead teed up McCormack but his left footed effort flew over the bar.
Berwick tails were now up and the introduction of Laidlaw was giving Celtic’s centre halves some problems and led to another chance. Max McGinley’s long ball caught out Mitchel Frame and set Laidlaw away. The striker showed good strength to hold off Frame then beat Mitchell Robertson before guiding his shot past Gill in the Celtic goal. Unfortunately, Frame recovered in time and was able to stop the ball on the goalline and clear.
Celtic were struggling to create chances and, on the stroke of half time, they almost gifted Berwick the opener. A long Antell kick caused Lenny Agbaire problems and his attempted header back to Gill was poor and let in Watson. The forward rounded Gill and looked set to slot home but Agbaire was able to stick a leg out and knock the ball behind right as Watson was about to pull the trigger.
The second half fell into the same pattern as the first with the young Bhoys looking to break Berwick down but their final ball was largely really poor. However, when they did manage to find the right ball, the crossbar denied them. Celtic worked the ball nicely and Turley clipped a ball to the back post where Lewis Dobbie cushioned a volley at goal which Antell thought was heading over but dipped late and came off the bar.
It was almost a sucker punch from Berwick but Celtic were almost caught out not long after. Ure, who had given the ball away numerous times in midfield, had his pass cut out on halfway by Collins. The Berwick midfielder went for goal first time and his brilliant effort had to be pawed away brilliantly by a retreating Gill.
Celtic went close at the other end not long after. Good work from substitute Thomas Hatton down the left led to him finding fellow sub Dargie at the back post but his volley crashed off the underside of the bar and away from danger.
Berwick were starting to tire a little and were thankful to Antell for another brilliant save. Another dinked ball from Hatton found Turley onside and in behind the defence. Just like in the first minute, his finish lacked conviction but still required Antell to make a brilliant reflex save to keep the scores level.
Celtic also had one late chance to win it when Dargie got some space on the right crossed for Hatton who could only head wide from inside the six yard box although it would have been surprising if the referee had given that as a goal given Hatton shoved Max McGinley in the back to win the header.
In the end, it was a deserved point and first Lowland League clean sheet since the opening day victory over Linlithgow Rose. On another day, Berwick will feel that one of those first half chances would have gone the other way on another day but Thomas Scobbie will be delighted to see such a battling performance.
Up next, we return to Shielfield next Saturday (28th) where our Scottish Cup campaign begins against Cupar Hearts, kicking off at 3pm.
Eion Smith