Tranent vs Berwick 24-25
Berwick made it two wins from two in the Lowland League with a dramatic win at Tranent.
Matthew Collins smashed home a rebound in the dying moments to send Berwick fans wild at Foresters Park and secure the 3-2 victory.
Collins’ goal was the perfect finale to a topsy-turvy afternoon with both sides losing the lead and each having what appeared to be solid penalty appeals turned down.
Thomas Scobbie was forced into two changes from the team that were knocked out progressed in the SPFL Trust Trophy in midweek – Gareth Rodger and Alan Cook coming in for the ill Corrie Fellows and suspended Grant Nelson.
Tranent forced the early pace at Foresters Park, with the tricky Adam McGowan in particular looking threatening. It was his corner from the left that almost brought the opener for Tranent with Callum Antell having to be alert to tip away Jonny Stewart’s flicked header before Liam Buchanan was the Berwick saviour on the line to stop Jake Hutchings’ shot.
Despite the home side’s positive start, Berwick began to trouble the Tranent defence. Buchanan found some space in penalty area but could only head over before a defensive mix-up between Hutchings and Kelby Mason in the Tranent goal gave Arran Laidlaw a chance but his effort was smothered by the keeper and Jonny Devers chipped the follow-up over the bar.
However, midway through the first half, Tranent found the opening goal. Berwick were unable to fully clear their lines and the ball went to right back Dean Brett. His cross was perfectly flighted behind the Berwick defence and McGowan timed his run to perfection to head home from 6 yards.
Things got worst when Cook limped off after half an hour to be replaced by Cai McNamara and force a change of shape but that switch seemed to inspire Berwick who began to threaten more on the counter. Mason was called into action to turn Collins’ curling effort away before Berwick found the equaliser.
A long Antell clearance was contested by Laidlaw in the air with ball ricocheting off the Berwick striker. Devers was the fastest to react to go one-on-one with Mason and the summer signing kept his cool to round the keeper and slot home.
Things got even better for the Dream Team in first half stoppage time. The immense Lewis Barr won the ball in Berwick’s final third and drove forward before releasing Liam Buchanan down the right. The forward skinned his man and kept his composure to square it for Laidlaw to tap home and give Berwick the lead heading into the break.
Many would have expected a reaction from the hosts after the break and they almost got one shortly into the second half but Antell made a good save from a fierce McGowan strike. Berwick, though, remained the more dangerous side on the counter with Mason forced into a save from a Laidlaw effort.
Just after the hour mark, the home side arguably should have had a penalty or got level. The ball was played to Harry Girdwood just inside the area who went down under pressure from Rodger. Despite huge appeals from the home fans, the referee was unmoved and play continued with the ball dropping to Ross Gray in the area but he could only guide his effort against the post.
Tranent, though, would get a penalty with 15 minutes to go. A cross from left back Euan Greig hit Collins’ arm inside the area and the referee instantly pointed to the spot. Brett stepped up and, despite Antell getting his fingertips to the spot kick, found the bottom corner.
Both sides had chances to win the game in the final ten minutes – substitute Ben Miller should have hit the target from 12 yards before Mason denied Buchanan with a save. There were also shouts for a Berwick penalty when Laidlaw went down after a shirt pull from Hutchings but the referee felt there wasn’t enough to award the spot kick.
The game looked to be heading towards a stalemate when Collins popped up with the dramatic ending. More hard running from Laidlaw on the left got Berwick up the pitch and his layoff to Buchanan didn’t quite fall for the striker. The ball came to McNamara on the edge of the area whose shot was palmed away by Mason and Collins was the first to react, smashing it home and sending the Berwick fans by the dugout into delirium.
With this victory Berwick move into third place in the Lowland League behind only Hearts B and Celtic B.
Next on the slate, Berwick will travel to Civil Service Strollers on Tuesday for a 7:45pm kick off at Christie Gillies Park with live updates and commentary over on X.
Eion Smith
