MATCH PREVIEW - BERWICK RANGERS (H)

For our closing Park’s Motor Group Lowland League game of the season, we welcome Berwick Rangers to Central Park with a 3pm. kick off.

Last week’s dramatic 6-4 defeat from Celtic B at the Excelsior Stadium saw us drop back to 10th place in the league but it is still possible for us to finish 9th if results go our way this afternoon.

Last Saturday, The Borderers secured their place in next season’s league with a 4-1 home win over Broxburn Athletic. They sit in 15th place with 33 points from their 33 games.


THE OPPOSITION

Berwick have won eight league games this season with three of them coming in succession at the start of the season.

The wins have come against Linlithgow Rose (1-0), Tranent (3-2), Civil Service Strollers (2-1), East Stirlingshire (3-2), Albion Rovers (2-0), Gala Fairydean Rovers (2-1), Cumbernauld Colts (1-0) and Broxburn Athletic (4-1).

There have been nine draws against Broomhill (1-1), Celtic B (0-0 & 0-0), Bo’ness United (1-1), Gretna 2008 (2-2), Caledonian Braves (2-2), Cowden (0-0), Broomhill (0-0) and Albion Rovers (0-0).

Their 16 defeats have come against 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), East Stirlingshire (0-4) and Tranent (1-2).

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

In the SPFL Trust Trophy they had a 3-0 home win over St Mirren B before losing 4-0 to Dumbarton at the Rock.

In the South Challenge Cup they beat Herriot Watt University 2-1 before losing 3-0 to Threave Rovers with both games taking place at Shielfield.

In the Lowland League Cup they lost 3-2 to Broomhill in a game switched to K Park.


PREVIOUS PARK’S MOTOR GROUP LOWLAND LEAGUE MEETINGS

The fist Lowland League meeting of the clubs came in October 2022 when Sam Newman opened the scoring for us but late goals from Lewis Barr and Liam Buchanan gave the Borderers a 2-1 win. The return game saw Buchanan bag a hat trick along with Lewis Allan in a 4-0 win which proved to be Maurice Ross’ last game in charge.

In the 2023/24 season goals from Ciaren Chalmers and Jamie Docherty gave us a 2-0 win at Shielfield but once again we suffered a heavy home defeat with the Borderers winning 4-1 with goals from Jamie McCormack, Joe Ellison, Liam Buchanan and Jordan Sinclair, with Ewan MacPherson getting our goal.

Last month, the sides played out a 0-0 draw in a rearranged fixture which was originally scheduled for November.

MATCH SPONSOR : ANDY BODDINGTON
MATCHBALL SPONSOR : COLLIER HAULAGE, QUARRYING & RECYCLING
CAPTAIN SPONSOR : JOHN FINLAY JOINERY



MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE – Andy Gamble

ASSISTANT REFEREES – Andrew Lafferty & Ben Graham


ADMISSION

Adults - £11 (£12 PATG) | Concessions - £7 | 12 and under - FREE | Season tickets are valid for this game.

You can buy your ticket in advance here.


MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD

The Man of the Match award presentation will be held in the Andy Matthew Lounge with all fans welcome.


PROGRAMME

Issue 17 of the Blue Brazilian will be on sale. The 40 page issue will be on sale from inside the turnstiles at the cost of £3.50.




Previewer: Andrew Mullen.