Livingston 1-1 Berwick
Sunday 18th April 2010
Berwick Rangers skipper Stuart Callaghan became an unlikely West Lothian folk hero on Saturday when his last minute penalty miss handed Livingston the Third Division championship. The draw meant that the full timers, controversially exiled from the First Division as punishment for yet another dalliance with financial difficulties, staggered across the finishing line with two games to go. The red-hot title favourites failed to beat Rangers this season or register a goal against the black & gold from open play. For that record, Jimmy Crease and his team deserve enormous credit, and it says much about the qualities of this Rangers side that they have never looked second best to a Livingston squad boasting some well known names, including Steve Tosh, Robbie Winters, and the much coveted Andy Halliday.
The quality of this match contrasted sharply with the freeflowing,high quality fare on offer in the match between the same two sides at Shielfield four days earlier. Understandably, Rangers looked tired, the effect of a months worth of three games a week taking a toll on the minds and bodies of part-time players. Livingston had less excuse, but their nerves seemed to get the better of them on the big occasion.
Jimmy Crease made one enforced change from Tuesday night's match, Ollie Russell replacing the suspended Stevie Notman in centre midfield.After a tentative start by both sides on a bumpy pitch, De Vita forced Peat into a tv save with a hooked volley from 20 yards out in the 11th minute. Rangers should have taken the lead in the 28th minute, Gray putting Currie clean through but his fierce shot was brilliantly tipped over by McKenzie in the home goal. With Ewart and Kerr in dominant form,Rangers continued looked comfortable but McNulty and De Vita managed to get in some dangerous flicked headers from crosses by Fox, which Peat was relieved to usher past his posts.There was a surprising lack of urgency about Livingston, given that the whole day had been set up as a championship winning celebration. Their approach suited a Rangers side down to the bone in terms of player availibility and content to play the match at a lot slower pace than they might have expected. Rangers have a lot of players who are technically adept on the ball and Gary Bollan's tactics played right into their hands. Four minutes before the break Currie again burst through from the right and McKenzie could only parry his shot to McMullan for what looked like a routine tap-in, only for Jacob's last ditch tackle to divert the ball for a corner.
Having made it safely to the break, Rangers found themselves under the cosh for the first time during the opening 15 minutes of the second period. Winters used his experience to force a glut of corners but Rangers defended them well, then McNulty was booked for a ludicrous dive as Livingston's desperation to make the breakthrough increased. Bollan introduced Halliday to try and steal an advantage but the in-demand youngster rarely threatened Callaghan. By the time the match had reached the three-quarter mark, Livi's mini-revival had fizzled out and Rangers rediscovered a second wind. The upshot was a home side intent on not conceding a goal, which they managed until the last minute when Watson blocked McMullan's cross with his hand. With the Rangers support on their feet in anticipation of one of the greatest party-pooping acts of all time, Callaghan hoofed the ball straight down the middle, allowing McKenzie to block with his legs. Cue the final whistle and muted celebrations from the home support.
Rangers should have left Almondvale with six points this eason but were denied by a last minute equaliser and a last minute penalty miss. That should'nt worry them. The important point is that the Third Division should be a genuine competition next season. Rangers have the core of a side capable of competing for the title next season, and if they can add some physical strength to their undoubted abilities, Rangers fans should be looking forward to the campaign with a pretty hefty degree of optimism.
Peat 8; Smith 7; Ewart 8; Kerr 8; Callaghan 5; Greenhill 7; Currie 8; Russell 4; McMullan 5; Shields 8; Gray 6
Crowd - 1621
LINK :
|
|
