CSS vs BRFC Match Report
Berwick maintained their perfect Lowland League record with victory over Civil Service Strollers.
Arran Laidlaw’s stunning goal ten minutes from time was enough to secure all three points.
Berwick made one enforced change from the side that dramatically beat Tranent with Alan Cook not risked and Grant Nelson replacing him.
The first half was a war of attrition with both sides working hard without creating any clear chances. Callum Antell was forced into one good save from a low Alfie Smith effort while Civil keeper Freddie Owens showed good hands from a Liam Buchanan effort from distance.
It would take until stoppage time in the first half to see a real clear chance. Berwick won a corner on the right which Matty Collins took. His floated ball found Gareth Rodger whose looping header had Owens at full stretch to claw it behind.
Both sides would respond after half time with Berwick going close five minutes after the break. Having intercepted a pass in his own half, Jonny Devers drove through midfield, exchanged passes with Buchanan before curling and effort at goal that Owens had to tip onto the bar.
It could have been very different moments later though. A Civil break saw Trialist in a foot race with Rodger, attempting to twist the Berwick defender inside out before going down in a tangle of legs as the ball rolled squirmed away. There were huge cries from the home dugout for a penalty but the referee was unmoved.
And just minutes later, Berwick found the breakthrough. Hard running from Buchanan got Berwick up the park and he exchanged passes with Devers before firing past Owens at his near post. It was a well deserved goal for Buchanan who had been outstanding all evening.
Berwick were in control but, ten minutes later, a stroke of luck got the hosts level. Max McKinley missed a ball down the channel and Trialist broke onto it. He cut inside but his ball was cut out however, in the confusion of where the ball was, Lewis Barr cleared the ball into Trialist and could only watch as it flew past Antell.
Civil had their tails up and had two huge opportunities to take the lead after bringing on two more trialists. The three trialists combined nicely to tee up the goal scorer but he was denied by the feet of Antell before one of the substitutes inexplicably fluffed his lines when free in the area.
They would rue those opportunities a couple of minutes later when Laidlaw produced something special. Jamie McCormack’s switch was plucked out of the air by the right boot of Laidlaw and the striker swivelled and hit a gorgeous half-volley beyond the despairing dive of Owens. It was a goal fit to win any game and a second in two games for the striker.
Civil continued to fight but created no clear chances and Berwick were able to hold on and maintain their perfect record, now second in the Lowland League table.
Up next is a return to Shielfield with Broomhill visiting.
Eion Smith
