Greenock Juniors 2-3 Berwick Rangers – Match Report

Berwick progressed in the South Challenge Cup but were made to work for it by Greenock Juniors.

Ben McCrystal, Michael Mbewe and Alex Harris’ first half goals were enough to see Berwick through 3-2 at Ravenscraig Stadium.

Berwick were by far the better team in the opening 15 minutes, creating numerous opportunities before McCrystal turned in Mbewe’s cross at the near post.

The hosts had struggled to get anything going but were gifted an equaliser shortly after when Mackay’s back pass was way too short and Leroy Smith rounded Owen Hayward and tapped home.

Despite that, Berwick remained on top and retook the lead just after the half hour mark. Substitute Josh O’Connor’s first involvement was to drive at the Greenock defence and drive a cross onto the foot of Mbewe to tap home at the back post.

Berwick looked to have taken the game beyond Greenock just before half time when Alex Harris’ delivery found its way into the back of the net despite the best attempts of Greenock defenders on the line.

The second half saw the hosts up their intensity and put Berwick under pressure but Hayward remained largely untroubled until, with 8 minutes to go, Darren Boyle headed home Craig Brown’s corner to set up a grandstand finish.

Dreams of a comeback were dashed in stoppage time when substitute Innes Lambert was sent off for a shocking challenge on Grant Leitch as Berwick saw out the game.

“A Mixed Bag”

Kevin Haynes called the performance “a mixed bag”. Commentary called it a “performance of two halves”.

Whatever cliche or saying you opt for, the Berwick performance was night and day after half time.

The first half saw Berwick flex their quality and they could have had five or six comfortably with Greenock struggling to lay a glove on the ‘Gers.

The second half saw all of Berwick’s attacking prowess disappear and, while Greenock struggled to create many chances of note, Berwick’s defense was put under consistent pressure.

Next Up

Berwick return to MKM Shielfield Park in midweek when Hibs B visit in the KDM Evolution Trophy.