North Shields Highlights & Dunfermline Preview
The ‘Gers kicked off their pre-season in front of a healthy support from both sides
The Gers kicked off their pre-season schedule with a 1-1 draw against FA Vase winners North Shields at Shielfield Park on Saturday afternoon. Following an early morning rain storm, the clouds cleared to provide more seasonal warm and sunny weather as the game got underway.
A sizable away support travelled the length of Northumberland and saw Berwick start the game with five trialists in their starting eleven.
Of last seasons squad, only new captain Jonny Fairbairn, the manager Colin Cameron, striker Blair Henderson and the returning Ross Drummond, who made his comeback from a long layoff made the starting lineup.
Berwick dominated the early exchanges and we’re unlucky not to go ahead from sweetly taken free kick from one of the trailists rattled the crossbar. Henderson was also unlucky to see one chance sail past the North Shields goalkeepers right hand post.
The Gers, who also had new signings Kevin Walker and Barry Hogg starting could count themselves unlucky not to go into the break ahead.
The second half was a far more even affair with Berwick making a host of half time changes. However the deadlock was broken on 61 minutes when another new signing, Calum Helm netted after his trialist strike partner put Maloney under pressure in the North Shields goal, allowing the new man the chance to round him and slot home.
North Shields began applying a bit more pressure on the Berwick defence and got their reward on 73 minutes when Gary Day led the Gers defenders a merry dance before slotting the ball home across the keeper and off the bottom of the post into the net.
The game petered out a little towards the end, though there was a chance for the home fans to see new signing Michael McKenna make his first appearance in the Black and Gold.
Pre-season continues on tonight (Monday 6th July), as we welcome Dunfermline Athletic to Shielfield. Numerous trialists are expected to feature once more as Cameron continues to get the measure of how he’d like his new look squad to play.
Admission for the match will be £6 Adults and £3 Concessions, whilst corporate entry is also available for just £15 – though must be booked through Conrad Turner on 07790676185.
