1st September 2017

Match Preview: Berwick Rangers v Queen of the South – IRN BRU Cup

Robbie Horn will take charge of Berwick Rangers for the first time this Saturday as we take a break from the league campaign to welcome Championship side, Queen of the South, to Shielfield Park for the 2nd round of the IRN-BRU cup. The game kicks off at 3pm and is sure to be an exciting occasion as former Black & Gold assistant manager and player Horn is bound to be given a warm welcome in his first managerial game with the ‘Gers.

Horn, who was this week handed a two year contract, will have much to ponder with not much time spent with the squad since his return. He will be hoping to build on last weeks victory and clean sheet away at Cowdenbeath.

Berwick will start the game as underdogs and Queens would be quite a scalp to start the new era.

Gary Naismith brings his Queens side to Berwick in fine form with last weeks 1-4 win away at Falkirk leaving them 2nd in the Championship table. His side have tasted victory three times already this season in the league and won 4-0 in the first round of this competition.

Berwick News

Robbie Horn will use his first game back at Shielfield to run the rule over the squad he has inherited. Horn has a strong affinity with the club having represented Berwick as a player for six years and also been assistant manager under both Colin Cameron and Ian Little.

Horn will know a few of the existing squad from his previous involvement at the club.

He will need his new charges to be fired up for this one as they welcome a side two divisions above them.

Lavery, Phillips and McDonald are doubtful for the clash whereas Donaldson, Waugh and Irving are unavailable due to the nature of their loan arrangements for the season. Therefore it won’t be a full quota to choose from but gives others a chance to stake a claim for a place.

Berwick are also delighted to say that new loan signing Marcus Godinho could be available. His arrival from Hearts gives more options as Marcus can cover a few different positions, has great energy levels and is comfortable on the ball. We look forward to seeing him at Shielfield Park.

Queen of the South News

Gary Naismith will arrive in Berwick with a confident squad at his disposal. Stephen Dobbie will be looking to continue his fine form, following a hat-trick at Falkirk last time out. A game that Naismith described as the ”highlight of his managerial career so far”.

One absentee will be Jason Kerr who is away with Scotland under 21’s, having received his first international call up last week.

Odds

Queens come into this one as firm favourites with the bookies;

Berwick 6/1

Draw 7/2

Queens  2/5

Admission

Prices have been agreed between the clubs at £10 for adult and £5 for concessions (inclusive of over 65’s, students and under 16’s).

Officials

The man in the middle this weekend will be Greg Aitken with Graeme Leslie and George Calder running the lines.

The club would like to welcome the new manager to the dugout and hope that all the crowd will give him and the team a lift on Saturday. An exciting cup clash awaits.

Fans of both the home and away clubs are invited to enjoy the hospitality of BRFC TV sponsors, The Red Lion, located a three minute walk from Berwick-Upon-Tweed railway station prior to and following the match, where they will be treated to complimentary food when purchasing a drink.

We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

 

 

Tags: , , ,