Match Report: Cumbernauld Colts 0-2 Berwick Rangers
Two first half goals were enough for Berwick to pick up all three points at Cumbernauld Colts.
Goals from Grant Nelson and Lewis Allan were the difference at Broadwood to keep The Dream Team 11th in the Lowland League.
Berwick made two changes to the starting line-up from the 3-1 Scottish Cup win at Dunipace with Kevin Waugh and Jordan Sinclair replacing Ryan Finnie and Jack Wright. Colts made two changes of their own with Jordan Marshall and Stephen O’Neill replacing Lee Whitmore and Billy Mortimer.
Berwick started the game fastest and had a huge opportunity within the first two minutes. Good work down the right from Kieran Somerville won the ‘Gers a corner which Sinclair took. The initial delivery was only half cleared by Dominic McLaren back to Sinclair who drilled a low half-volley across goal but Somerville at the far post couldn’t sort his feet out quickly enough to get a good strike on goal.
The warning had been given to Colts and they were behind after ten minutes. James Grant’s cross from the left was poor and headed clear which Berwick broke from. Calum Smith and Euan Smith held the ball up enough for support to arrive from Sinclair, who played a wonderful through ball to Grant Nelson, who took the pass in stride and slotted the ball underneath Johnny Grier.
Colts kept the ball well enough but they struggled to really trouble the Berwick defence and were once again undone 15 minutes later. Kevin Waugh brought the ball out of defence and played in John Ward down the left. His pull back was inch perfect for Lewis Allan to run onto and stroke home past Grier.
Colts were reeling and could have been three down less than a minute later. Somerville charged down a pass which fell to Allan. His pass for Calum Smith forced the striker slightly wide but he still forced Grier into a save.
Smith then had another golden opportunity to make it three just after the half hour mark. Allan was a nuisance down the left and his low ball found Smith in space in the area. The striker’s effort was tame though and straight at Grier.
Colts took the half-time break to make a double change with Cameron Foy and Billy Mortimer replacing Scott Davidson and Ewan MacPherson and it nearly paid dividends immediately. Berwick were unable to clear properly and Sam Davidson’s cross was turned goalwards by Fraser Team but it was easy and straight at Dougie Horne.
The urgency was certainly there from Colts in the second half but the ‘Gers were still carrying a threat going forward with Somerville nodding just wide from a Sinclair corner from the right.
Colts were continuing to press though but the Berwick defence stood resolute. Team looked the most threatening for the hosts and route one football got him in behind the defence just before the hour mark but he elected to go for the audacious chip from range rather than use the support that was arriving and Horne was never troubled.
Colts then had two shouts for a penalty ignored within a minute. First, a low ball into the box saw David Ferguson and Team come together challenging for it but the referee decided that there was nothing in it before Team’s shot clearly struck a hand in the box but, again, Michael McCart was unmoved.
Berwick were still causing issues for the Colts defence however. Calum Smith’s dogged pressing won the ball back in the final third with his cross going to Euan Smith who laid it to Grant Nelson but his shot was high and wide. The resulting goal kick saw the ball end up running through for Team but his shot was easy for Horne again.
The game petered out for the last 20 minutes as Berwick held Colts at arm’s length to secure all three points. It was an outstanding performance away from home by every player on the pitch and could easily be seen as the best football the Dream Team have played so far this season.
Berwick will be hoping to continue their winning ways in Scottish Cup action on Boxing Day as they welcome League Two side Stirling Albion to Shielfield.
By Eion Smith (@EionSmith)
Photo credit: Erin Wilson (@erinwilson164)
