Forfar vs BRFC Scottish Cup Match Report
Berwick’s Scottish Cup run ended in somewhat contentious fashion with a 1-0 defeat at Forfar Athletic.
Arran Cocks’ header just before the hour mark separated the sides but Berwick boss Thomas Scobbie was left bemoaning a ‘really poor’ decision to not award a penalty for a clear foul on Lewis Barr.
There were positives for Berwick, however, with Scobbie hailing an ‘unbelievable’ effort from his side after last weekend’s disappointing reverse at Gretna.
The Berwick boss made four changes from that 3-0 defeat at Raydale Park – Jamie Stevenson left the club while Max McGinley, Alfie Robinson and Arran Laidlaw dropped to the bench replaced by the returning Grant Nelson and Jamie McCormack while Jonny Devers and Matty Collins were elevated to starting XI.
Ray McKinnon’s Forfar have struggled in League Two this season and it showed as they struggled to break down a disciplined Berwick backline. Their best chance came from a free kick on the left which Bradley Rodden delivered but Matty Allan at the back post could only put his header over the top of the bar.
The Loons were being restricted to hopeful headers but it was Berwick who created the best opening of the first half. Devers released Jamie Watson in behind and the forward did brilliantly to control and lift the ball over the head of Forfar captain Stuart Morrison but the ball wouldn’t drop quick enough as Cammy Logan nipped in to clear the danger.
Half time came with Forfar clearly being told by McKinnon at the break to step it up in intensity and quality but, ten minutes into the second period, Berwick should have had a penalty. Forfar didn’t fully clear and McCormack sent a ball back over the top which Kieran Inglis misread. Barr looked to run onto the ball but was hauled to the ground by a desperate Inglis but referee Ryan Lee waved away the appeal for a spot kick that even Forfar’s dugout later told Scobbie should have been given.
Minutes later, the home side broke the deadlock. A corner from the right was delivered by Josh Skelly and seemed to hold up slightly in the wind, allowing substitute Cocks – who replaced a potentially concussed Rodden in the first half – to get ahead of Callum Antell and his marker to head home from six yards out.
The goal gave Forfar impetus and the introduction of a familiar face in Jackson Mylchreest for the home side caused Berwick some problems. The St Johnstone loanee went on one of the runs Berwick fans became accustomed to last season which ended with him forcing a good low save from Antell.
Forfar were looking dangerous on the break but were lacking the finishing touch and, as the minutes wore on, some nerves potentially kicked in for a side that had won just two league games all season. That played into Berwick’s hands and with around five minutes to go, Barr had the opportunity to level it.
Nelson collected the ball in midfield and showed brilliant composure and vision to slide a ball through to Barr who was onside but his low finish was brilliantly saved by Marc McCallum in the Forfar goal. Moments later, Barr pounced on a Forfar error in the box and teed up Laidlaw but the striker couldn’t get his shot off.
That was the moment as Forfar were able to see the game out and secure their progression to the Third Round for the third consecutive season although Scobbie was full of praise for his beaten side.
“We came up here against a league side and I thought at times we looked the better side. We should have scored the goal and won the game but these are the fine margins within games. Performance wise, I couldn’t ask any more of the players, they were unbelievable today.”
Up next for Berwick is a return to league action on Saturday with a difficult trip to high-flying Broxburn Athletic.
