Match Preview: Clyde v Berwick Rangers – SPFL Ladbrokes League Two
Manager John Coughlin hopes a combination of building on Tuesday’s home win against Annan Athletic and hitting back after the 5-0 home defeat by Clyde can inspire the team to a positive result at Broadwood tomorrow.
David Gormley scored four goals as the Bully Wee battered the ‘Gers at Shielfield in what was Coughlin’s second game in charge back on November 21, and the manager thinks the team will have remembered that result as they seek redemption.
“We got turned over by a very strong, experienced side that day and the boy Gormley, who I think has only scored six goals this season, scored four of them against us,” Coughlin told the official website. “However, our defending that day was very, very poor and if the players have anything about them, they will have remembered that and they’ll use it as a motivational tool to try and make sure we exact some revenge tomorrow.”
Berwick Rangers Team News:
Following Kevin Walker’s sending off against Annan Athletic on Tuesday, he will miss tomorrow’s match, while he will also the Scottish League Two clash against Queen’s Park on March 5 after he was also sent off at East Fife.
As a result, Mark Walters is in line to make only his second start of the season, with Coughlin revealing that the ‘Gers have called on a familiar face to sit on the bench in the games Walker will be missing from the matchday squad.
“Kevin’s suspension is a problem for us but we’re thankful to Billy Bald, who is well-known to the fans, who has agreed to cover the bench in the games that he misses. But local lad Mark Walters will be playing tomorrow so that’s a big day for him.”
Elsewhere, Jordan McGregor returns from suspension and, other than Walker’s absence, Coughlin says he’s ‘almost where he wants to be’ in terms of having a full squad available to him.
Clyde Team News:
Despite worries that players signed in recent months may be inelgible for Saturday’s game after it was found the club had missed a payment to HMRC, the SPFL have confirmed that no such punishment will be issued and instead the Bully Wee have been issued with a warning & fine of £2500.
In fact, Barry Ferguson has further strengthened his squad prior to the game, adding three new names to his squad in the form of Partick Thistle’s young ‘keeper Marc Walters who arrives on a one month loan, 24 year-old winger Paul Slane who rejoins following a spell with the club last season and 19 year-old midfielder Reece Glackin, who joins permanently from Airdrie United.
Barry Ferguson will however be without Brian McQueen, Scott Ferguson and Scott McMann who are all ruled out through injury, in addition to the suspended pair John Gibson and Scott Durie
But a busy January means the likes of John Gemmell, Ross Millen and Jamie Watson are all likely to feaure, with Mark McLaughlin also returning from suspension.
Speaking to Clyde’s official site, Clyde manager Ferguson admitted he was relieved the end of the HMRC saga was over, noting: “There’s been a lot going on at the club over the last couple of weeks and I’m glad that it’s all been resolved. We can get our heads down now and get on with it.
“Berwick have been better recently. It takes time for a new manager to settle in but they are starting to gather some momentum now. I keep stressing to the players that there are no teams in this league that you can underestimate.”
Match Odds:
Despite the heroics of a 10-man ‘Gers side in midweek, SPFL sponsors Ladbrokes still see a home win as the most likely outcome.
Clyde – 3/4
Draw – 29/10
Berwick Rangers – 14/5
Match Officials:
Mike Taylor will take charge of the tie, and will be assisted by both Graham McNeillie and Chris McNab.
Safe journey to all travelling up!
