Match Report – BRFC vs Dunipace 25-26
Berwick v Dunipace Match Report
Berwick secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Dunipace in the 2nd round of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup at Shielfield Park.
Alfie Robinson gave the Dream Team an early lead before a quick reply from Ewan Sutherland. The winner came late on in the second half through Taylor Hendry as Berwick progress.
The cup tie got off to the perfect start for the Gers. Scott-Taylor-MacKenzie’s short corner found Jonny Devers. He returned the ball to MacKenzie before breaking down the right-hand side. Devers received the ball again deep in the Dunipace box and dinked the ball to the back post. Robinson climbed highest to bundle the ball into the net to give Berwick an early lead.
Dunipace, who are an East of Scotland Premier side, looked to fight back quickly. A corner was swung in before getting cleared but not into safety for Berwick. The ball back into the box fell perfectly for the tall striker of Sutherland. He managed to swivel before unleashing a shot that went into the bottom left corner. The score back level after a frenetic opening ten minutes.
The game was a very even one in the opening stages, with both sides battling to gain control amongst windy conditions at Shielfield Park.
In the 25th minute, Blair Sneddon took the ball forward for Berwick down the left-hand side. He opted for a shot from a difficult angle, but it was a great effort as his thunderous strike flashed just wide of the post.
Berwick had another chance to reclaim the lead minutes later.MacKenzie was the supplier of the defence-cutting through balls again as he fed Buchanan in the box. His shot was blocked with the rebound falling to Harry Wright. However, his shot was scuffed.
The Dream Team continued to make things happen in attack.Buchanan received the ball in space before playing in Wright. Berwick’s new signing was ice cool under pressure to dummy his shot, but his effort was brilliantly saved by David Kane. Hendry followed up but was somehow denied by the terrific reactions of Kane as his second save kept the sides level.
The second half started slowly with neither team creating much in the early stages. On the hour-mark, MacKenzie’s corner was met by Jamie Pyper as he headed the ball to Kyle Somers at the back post. However, his effort flew over the bar. Less than a minute later, a mistake from Dunipace defender Kyle Ewing gave Buchanan a run at goal. He could only find the side netting as he spurned a good opportunity for Berwick.
Not long after, Dunipace’s manager and assistant coach were booked for dissent, as they felt aggrieved with the lack of decisions going their way. Just a minute later and their moods would only worsen as Berwick reclaimed the lead. Devers’ free-kick looped to the back post where Jamie Pyper was waiting. The Berwick skipper headed the ball back across goal to find Hendry who slotted the ball into the net. The Gers back in front with little time for Dunipace to respond.
Towards the end, the play got very frenetic due to Dunipace’s desperation to find a second equaliser. It took until the 96thminute for the visitors to create one final chance. A free-kick was swung into the box which fell to Ewing in the six-yard box. His shot from close range was incredibly saved by Calum Antell that was met by loud cheers inside Shielfield Park.
Berwick held on for the win as they advance to the 3rd round. The Dream Team turn their attention back to the Lowland League as they take on East Stirlingshire this Saturday at Shielfield Park.
👨💻 | Ben Langley
