Crossgates vs BRFC – EOS rd.16 24-25
10 man Berwick dug deep to secure progression in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup at a blustery Crossgates Primrose.
Jack Brown’s winning penalty secured a 4-3 shootout win after a topsy turvy 2-2 draw which featured brilliant goals, a Jamie McCormack red card and one of the more bizarre goals you’d ever see.
Thomas Scobbie opted to name a strong starting lineup, looking to build confidence after three straight league defeats but still made two changes to the side that lost at East Kilbride – Thomas Kay replacing the unavailable Callum Antell in goal while Cai MacNamara replaced Matty Collins.
The conditions were undoubtedly challenging for both teams with high winds and a heavy pitch but Berwick made the perfect start just five minutes in. Good play from Jamie Watson found Grant Nelson on the edge of the area who shifted it to Ben McCrystal and the St Johnstone loanee got the ball out of his feet and whipped a strike beyond Matty Rollo in the Crossgates goal.
The home side were much more aggressive and competitive than last season’s meeting but struggled to find a decent final ball shooting with the wind and were grateful for Rollo after half an hour. Rayan Mohammed collected the ball in their half and moved forward unopposed before unleashing a strike from 30 yards. The wind altered its trajectory but Rollo was able to adjust and tip it over well.
Berwick went into the half in complete control and remained fairly comfortable until the hour mark when the game completely changed. After clearing a Crossgates corner, McCormack brought the defensive line up before striking Lewis Anderson with an unprovoked elbow to the face, giving referee Brent Falconer no choice but to send him off.
That unnecessary sending off gave the home side impetus and they had Berwick on the ropes for the last half hour with Kay having to brilliantly get down to tip behind a Reece Bernard free kick before the ‘Gers survived two or three goalmouth scrambles.
It all looked to be going Berwick’s way until a minute from the end. Another inswinging corner caused a melee in the Berwick box and the ball fell to Crossgates captain Lyle Kellichan who swept home from six yards out.
It was a gut punch for Berwick but, seconds from the end, it could have been hysteria for the Dream Team. A McCrystal free kick found the head of Alfie Robinson who nodded it across the six yard box to Collins but the midfielder somehow got the ball caught under his studs when he just had to tap it in.
Extra time was the order of the day and, with sunset becoming a real concern, Berwick found a way to take the lead once again. A ball down the right wasn’t dealt with by Harris Reid, who was eased off it by McCrystal. The St Johnstone loanee got past Charlie Murphy but his pull back to Collins seemed to bobble and go behind the midfielder, who managed to adjust, juggle then volley home to send Berwick fans into delirium.
That seemed to be the spark Berwick needed but, within seconds, Crossgates got an incredible equaliser. Substitute Innes Cameron sent a ball towards the penalty area from halfway which got caught in the wind and wrong footed Kay completely, ending up in the bottom corner.
Both sides created opportunities before the end of extra time but tiredness began to play a real factor. The introduction of Brown for Berwick created real problems for the hosts on the counter but Berwick had to thank Owen Calder for being on the line to deny Blair Paterson from getting the winner.
It would be penalties that would decide the game and Crossgates jumped into an early lead when Rollo saved from Collins and Calder. Just when it looked like Berwick were about to be eliminated, Kay saved from Kellichan then Mark McKenzie skewed his penalty wide to send it to sudden death. Kay saved brilliantly from Paterson to allow Brown to coolly roll Berwick into the Quarter Finals.
Berwick will now have a home tie to look forward to in 2025 against the winners of the Hill of Beath Hawthorn vs Dundonald Bluebell tie. Before that though, it is back to league action after Christmas when Gala Fairydean Rovers visit Shielfield in a massive Lowland League clash.
