Matchday 24 | Berwick Rangers v Civil Service Strollers
Match Preview / Team News
For the first time this year, Stuart Malcolm will lead his team out at Shielfield Park and will welcome Civil Service Strollers, who are currently sitting 6th in the Lowland League.
Stuart and his assistant Dean will have a fairly full squad to pick from for this weekends home fixture. In Tuesday night friendly with Dunbar they welcomed long term absentees Scott Taylor Mackenzie and Lewis Barr back to the squad and although both are not yet fit enough to start, are likely to be in the squad this weekend.
Jordan Sinclair (hamstring) Lewis Allan (Ankle) both missed Tuesdays friendly and will take part in late fitness tests ahead of kick off.
Tuesday’s friendly seen everyone who was fit from the squad get some game time and to show the boss they deserve a place in the starting 11. For more info on Tuesday’s game, you can see the report here.
As a first for club 1881, the club can confirm that defender, Craig Reid, has made his loan move to Newton star Grange, permanent for a nominal fee. All at the club would. like to thank Craig for his efforts whilst at the club and best of luck in his future endeavours.
The Gers’ will be hoping not to repeat the scoreline of the reverse fixture, which seen them leave the Edinburgh based side’s ground with a 2-0 defeat. Despite keeper Ben Swinton saving two penalties.
CSS will be hoping to to find some form after dropping points from winning positions of late, most recently being held to a 1-1 draw by Gala Fairydean Rovers.
The forecast suggests it will be a crisp yet sunny winters day and we look forward to seeing you at Shielfield Park.
1881
BRFC 3 – 1 Civil Service Strollers
Berwick made it four wins in a row for the first time since March 2013 when they defeated Civil Service Strollers in a hard-fought encounter.
Like in the previous home fixture against Gala Fairydean Rovers, the ‘Gers won by coming from behind. Alieu Faye put the visitors ahead on seven minutes after his header from a corner was blocked on the line but fell back to him and he fired in from close range.
The ‘Gers didn’t respond immediately but, gradually, as the half wore on, they started to work their way into the match. However, the visitors could’ve easily been two up had Andy McNeil not made a smart stop down to his left.
David Ferguson had a goal ruled out for offside after a sumptuous ball from Alex Harris, with highlights showing an incredibly tight call.
Not to be disheartened, the defender was heavily involved in the Berwick equaliser on 37 minutes. After Lewis Barr beat the offside trap with a marauding midfield run, he got to the byline and laid back for Ferguson, who delivered an inch-perfect cross for Sean Stewart to glance in.
After a scrappy start to the second half, the ‘Gers began to impose themselves on the match, without really creating anything of note. The big chance fell to Barr on 74 minutes though, when he was found beautifully by Lewis Baker and, one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he coolly slotted in.
Jamie Pyper was unlucky not to make it three when his downward header from a corner was well blocked on the line by the keeper and, shortly afterwards, it was his central defensive partner Tam Scobbie who wrapped up the three points.
After a short corner taken by Harris to Graham Taylor, the pass was returned to the former Hibs man who put a low cross along the six-yard box for Scobbie to tap home for his first goal in Black & Gold.
