MATCH PREVIEW - BERWICK RANGERS (A)

We kick off a busy month of March as we head to Shielfield Park to face Berwick in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League with a 3pm kick off.

It is one of four away days during the month which also see’s trips to Galashiels, Coatbridge and Bo’ness. This will be the first meeting of the clubs this season after the original game was postponed in November as we were unable to travel due to the heavy snow which hit Central Scotland.

The Borderers sit in 16th place on 23 points, three places and seven points behind us having played a game more and just a point ahead of second bottom Gala how have played two more games.

On Tuesday night they went down 6-5 to Newtongrange Star in a friendly match played at New Victoria Park.

Prior to kick off there will be a minutes applause in memory of long time Berwick fan Tom Kennedy who recently passed away.


THE OPPOSITION

Berwick made a bright start to their league campaign winning their first three games and drawing their fourth. Since then, they have only won a further three games and drawing a further five along with 15 defeats.

Their last win came at the start of January when they beat Gala in what was former manager Thomas Scobie’s last game in charge. Former striker Kevin Hayes returned to the club after a successful spell in charge of Dunbar United and has seen his side draw twice and lose three times.

Their six wins have come against Linlithgow Rose (1-0), Tranent (3-2), Civil Service Strollers (2-1), East Stirlingshire (3-2), Albion Rovers (2-0) and Gala Fairydean Rovers (2-1). The five draws came against Broomhill (1-1), Celtic B (0-0), Bo’ness United (1-1), Gretna 2008 (2-2) and Caledonian Braves (2-2).

They have lost to Hearts B (1-6 & 1-2), University of Stirling (0-7 & 2-3), Cumbernauld Colts (0-3), Caledonian Braves (0-3), Bo’ness United (0-1), East Kilbride (1-7 & 0-5), Gretna 2008 (0-3), Broxburn Athletic (0-3), Civil Service Strollers (1-4), Gala Fairydean Rovers (1-2), Linlithgow Rose (0-3) and East Stirlingshire (0-4).

In the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup they beat Cupar Hearts 4-2 at Shielfield Park before bowing out to Forfar Athletic 1-0 at Station Park.

In the SPFL Challenge Cup they beat St Mirren B 3-0 at Shielfield Park before losing 4-0 to Dumbarton at the Rock.

In the South Challenge Cup they beat Heriot Watt University 2-1 at Shielfield Park which was followed up by a 3-0 home defeat from Threave Rovers.

In the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League Cup they lost 2-0 Broomhill in a game which was switched to K Park.

In the EOS Qualifying Cup they have beaten Fauldhouse United 5-0 at Shielfield Park and drew 2-2 with Crossgates Primrose at Humbug park before winning 4-3 on penalties.


PREVIOUS PARK'S MOTOR GROUP LOWLAND LEAGUE MEETINGS

Our first Lowland League meeting came September 2022 when we lost 2-1 at Shielfield Park. Sam Newman had given us the lead but late goals from Lewis Barr and Liam Buchanan turned the match.

The return game saw a 4-0 defeat with Liam Buchanan bagging a hat trick along with Lewis Allan.

Last season goals from Ciaran Chalmers and Jamie Docherty saw us win on our trip south but once again suffered a heavy home defeat losing 4-1 with Jamie McCormack, Joe Ellison, Liam Buchanan and Jordan Sinclair getting the visitors while Ewan MacPherson pulled a goal back for us.

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE – Lewis Hogarth

ASSISTANT REFEREES – David Dickson & Boise Allan


ADMISSION

Adults - £10 | Concessions - £5 | Under 16s - FREE




Previewer: Andrew Mullen.