January 2025 Preview
Berwick aim to kick off 2025 in winning fashion as they face three difficult Lowland League games.
Thomas Scobbie’s side endured a winless December in league action to drop to 16th place in the Lowland League.
With new faces beginning to find their feet and familiar faces hopefully returning to action, Berwick will be hoping to move up the Lowland League table.
All kick-offs are 3pm unless stated
Saturday 4 January – Gala Fairydean Rovers (A)
2025 begins with the second part of the festive double header with Gala Fairydean Rovers at Netherdale.
Gala’s first ever win at Shielfield Park just days ago lifted them above Berwick into 15th place by virtue of goal difference although the Borders side have played two more games than Berwick. However, Berwick’s record at Netherdale does not make for great reading with just the one win in four visits – Liam Buchanan and Michael Travis scoring in a 2-0 victory back in September 2022.
Encouragingly for Berwick, Gala’s recent home form has not been particularly strong with just one in their last five at Netherdale but Berwick’s recent away form has been disappointing as well with just two points from their last 15.
Tickets will be priced at £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £1 for U16s. Tickets are pay at the gate and cash only.
Saturday 11 January – Tranent (H)
January does not get any easier as our first home game of 2025 sees high-flying Tranent visit Shielfield.
Much has changed since Matty Collins’ dramatic late winner at Foresters Park back in August with Jonny Stewart now in the dugout for Tranent and both sides seeing a reversal in fortune in terms of form with their recent defeat at Broxburn ending a 14 game unbeaten run in the Lowland League which moved them into fourth.
However, Tranent do not have a good record at Shielfield nor a good recent record against Berwick. Their two previous visits to Shielfield have garnered just one point which was only salvaged in the dying seconds back in November 2023. Additionally, Berwick have won the last two meetings between the sides and are unbeaten in the last four Lowland League meetings.
Tickets will be priced at £10 for adults, £5 for concessions with U16s going free.
Saturday 25 January – Linlithgow Rose (A)
January action ends with another difficult away trip as Berwick travel to Prestonfield to take on Linlithgow Rose.
After a bit of a stuttering start, Gordon Herd’s Rose side have slowly moved up the Lowland League table and sit 5th at the end of 2024 all while turning Prestonfield into a bit of a fortress with only Hearts B winning there this season.
Games between the sides have been tight with no more than a goal separating them with Berwick squeezing out the opening day win at Shielfield thanks to an early Liam Buchanan goal. However, Prestonfield has not been a happy hunting ground for Berwick with their last visit seeing a late Calum Rae goal nab a point for the hosts.
Tickets will be priced at £11 for adults and £8 for concessions. Linlithgow Rose ask any fans who drive to the game park at nearby Linlithgow Academy where ample parking is available.
📝 | Eion Smith
