Berwick 2-1 Annan Ath
Tuesday 11th August 2009
Berwick Rangers made a promising start to the new league campaign with a gutsy win over their favourite bunnies,Annan Athletic, sparking conjecture about whether we get to keep them if we beat them again. It's a bit early to start getting carried away,but there is definitely something stirring at Shielfield, and in contrast to previous seasons,it isn't the brown stuff.
Guided by a man of the match performance from the revitalised David Greenhill, Rangers overcame a loss of focus mid-way through the first half to dominate the second half despite a poor display from the match officials.I'm exercising diplomatic language here, but it's fair to ssay their inconsistencies almost cost Rangers the game - more of which later. Most Gers fans would have been taken by surprise when the team was announced,particularly at the absence of Damon Gray from the starting line up.Jimmy Crease elected to play Ian Little behind Alan Brazil,and you could understand the logic with Little having scored twice in the cups.
On a pristine surface,Rangers exploded into life from the kick-off,and took a 3rd minute lead courtesy of the impressive Paul Currie,who slotted home from 15 yards after a slick Little/Brazil move set him up.
Off to an absolute flier, Rangers bossed the next 15 minutes until ex-Gretna star Bryan Gilfillan brought Shielfield back to earth with a speculative 18 yarder which bounced home off the post with Peat well beaten.The dynamics of the game changed in the blink of an eye,Annan monopolising possession and Rangers finding it difficult to negotiate a way past the monolithic Derek Townsley. In a rare breakout in the 34th minute,Greenhill almost restored the lead,Summerhill diving to touch his low shot around the post when it looked certain to sneak in.Two minutes later Annan's David Cox worked himself into a dangerous position but shot wide, a timely reminder for Rangers as they started to recover some of their earlier confidence.
They maintained that progress into the second half,though not before another scare in the 47th minute when Lewis Sloan's trundler bouncing back off the post,Peat looking slow to react to the danger. With Greenhill causing all sorts of mayhem down Annan's right, Rangers took the lead in the 59th minute from one of his corners,Summerhill flapping at the ball which fell loose and was rammed home from 5 yards by Graham Guy,who celebrated with a Saga version of the backward somersault and triple pike. Impressive stuff. The celebrations for both Gers goals spoke of a good team spirit,testament to Jimmy Crease's ability to harness the disparate skills of an outfit featuring no less than six new faces.
Rangers had two goals chalked off for marginal offsides in the 56th minute (Little header) and 77th minute (McMenamin's smart finish to round off another slick move) and almost paid an undeserved price in the 83rd minute,ref Colvin deciding against all the available evidence that Andy McLean had fouled John MacBeth when it looked as if the winger had simply run into him after the ball had been shepherded out of play. Peat redeemed himself after some earlier shakiness with a brilliant diving save to his left,and was sharp enough to get to the rebound first.
Remarkably, Rangers were denied a stonewall penalty a minute later,Notman rugby tackled in the box as he broke through on goal. It was a disgraceful decision but in keeping with a match which saw five Gers booked for offences that Annan players were allowed to escape with.
Rangers will draw confidence from their performance,and what stood out for me was their improved fitness and mobility.We have a younger side than in recent years and it showed. Although David Greenhill stood out, other notable performers included Ian Little,who rolled back the years with a cracking 85 minutes, Stuart Callaghan (in between trying to start fights in empty rooms) and Paul Currie, who looks a real find. Albion Rovers will be a tougher nut to crack,and it remains to be seen how Rangers will cope with their pace. All in all though, a bright start - keep up the good work.
Peat 7;Notman 7;Guy 6;McLean 7;Smith 6;McMenamin 6;Currie 8;Callaghan 7; Greenhill 9; Brazil 7; Little 8*
Crowd - 438
LINK :
|
|
