Preview: Queen’s Park v Berwick Rangers – SPFL Ladbrokes League Two
Manager John Coughlin has reiterated that his ‘Gers side must continue to focus on themselves and not other teams if they want to finish the season by avoiding bottom spot.
His comments came after he was present at Broadwood to watch his old side East Stirlingshire record a much-needed win thanks to David McKenna’s second minute effort, which hauled them back to within two points.
“Their [East Stirlingshire’s] spirit was excellent and I told the players at training last night that this struggle is going to go on until the very end and we’ve got to make sure we pick up as many points as possible, because there’s no lack of spirit from the teams around us,” Coughlin said. “If we deviate from our course, then it could be us with the egg on our faces. It’s far from over.”
Berwick have taken seven points from Queen’s Park this season, including the gritty 1-0 win at Hampden Park on Boxing Day, and Coughlin certainly wouldn’t mind a similar outcome from the match tomorrow.
“What we did that day was put in a very disciplined performance,” he said. “We soaked up a lot of pressure and got the break to score late in a match where, if we’d drawn, we probably wouldn’t have had too many complaints. Whether we alter the tactics tomorrow and go a bit more counter-attacking remains to be seen – but we’ll be doing our utmost to get something from the match to build some momentum.”
Berwick Rangers Team News:
Goalkeeper Billy Bald re-signed for the ‘Gers today but it’s Mark Walters who’s expected to start in goal with Kevin Walker serving the second of his two-match suspension.
Allan Walker is ruled out with a muscle spasm in his back, but Jordan McGregor played the full 90 minutes for parent club Hibs in a Development League game last night after hobbling off in last week’s win over Montrose with an ankle problem. Callum Crane also played for Hibs in that match, with Coughlin hopeful that tiredness won’t be an issue for the pair.
Queen’s Park Team News:
The Spiders go into the game on the back of a resounding 3-0 win against East Fife, and are unbeaten in three league matches, winning two.
However, the match they drew in that sequence was a 1-1 draw with the ‘Gers at Shielfield Park just a fortnight ago and the home side have failed to overcome Berwick in three attempts this season.
Match Odds:
SPFL Sponsors Ladbrokes fancy Gus MacPherson’s side to record their first win of the season on their final attempt against the ‘Gers.
Queen’s Park – 13/20
Draw – 3/1
Berwick Rangers – 16/5
Match Officials:
Kevin Graham will middle tomorrow’s clash, assisted by both Graham McNeillie and Jordan Stokoe.
