Berwick 2-1 Elgin City
Saturday 20th March 2010
Berwick Rangers got back to winning ways at sunny Shielfield on Saturday by virtue of a much improved first half performance against a competitive Elgin City outfit. Goals in the opening 45 from Damon Gray and skipper Stuart Callaghan were enough to secure all three points,despite some shaky moments in the second period as Elgin fought their way back into the game.
After disappointing results away to Albion Rovers and Stranraer, manager Jimmy Crease rang the changes, some enforced,some not. That meant a start at centre back (for the suspended Jamie Ewart) for loan signing Guy Kerr, who acquitted himself well with a dominant and composed performance. Callaghan found himself at left back, with Elliot Smith moving across to right back, and Oliver Russell getting a rare outing in midfield alongside Stevie Notman.
On a much improved playing surface, with huge credit due to groundsman Ross Aitchison and his colleagues, Rangers opened more confidently than recent form might have suggested. With Paul Currie getting forward to support his strikers at every opportunity, Rangers forced Elgin on to the back foot and were rewarded in the 16th minute when Callaghan's superb through ball sent Gray in on keeper Gibson, whom he beat with ease from close range. Five minutes before the break Callaghan scored a contender for goal of the season, curling home a 35 yard free kick from a challenging angle after Craig had fouled Gray. A brilliant passing move should have resulted in a 3rd goal two minutes before the break, but Currie blasted Gray's short pass over with only Gibson to beat.
Rangers failed to pick up the pace after the break, allowing Elgin to get back into the game, which they did in the 52 nd minute when Peat saved brilliantly from Morrison, only for Greenhill to deflect the loose ball past his own keeper for an og. Gibson saved superbly from a long range Gray effort in the 71st minute, before a series of chaotic incidents at both ends led to further chances being created - and missed - by both sides.
The win helped consolidate Rangers place in the 4th play-off spot,but they will need to build on the win in tough forthcoming fixtures away to Forfar and on-fire Montrose.
Peat 7; Smith 6; Kerr 7; Ewart 7; Callaghan 6; Greenhill 6; Currie 8; Notman 7; Russell 6; Brazil 6; Gray 6
Crowd - 317
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