5th March2019 Edinburgh City v Berwick Rangers 1-0

I had texted Malcolm about this game and he was keen to go along. He and his partner were child-minding until 18.30 and we arranged to meet in the ground around 19.30. I found out in the morning that Hearts reserves were playing Patrick Thistle at the Oriam in the afternoon. I was however unable to go as I had to stay in as Scottish Gas were coming to service our boiler between 12.00 and 18.00. They arrived at 13.20 and left twenty-five minutes later but by hat time it was too late to get out to the Oriam in time for kick-off. I was gutted when I found out later that Hearts had won 9-1! I left the house 18.20 to walk to Ainslie Park and arrived at the ground an hour later. Malcolm had arrived five minutes before me and we moved to seats in the stand near the halfway line. 

This was an important game for City who had lead the League 2 table for most of the season. However their form has shaded since the turn of the year and defeat last Saturday had left then in third place although a win tonight would move them back to second. The top side at the end of the season are automatically promoted and the next three will go into a play-off against the second bottom side in League 1. My guess would be Perhead will get the automatic promotion spot, leaving City, Clyde and Anna Athletic to contest the play-off lottery. City made on change from Saturday’s side bringing in Bradley Donaldson at right back to replace Craig Thomson who dropped to the bench. Berwick are having poor season and are currently second bottom of the table although seven points ahead of Albion Rovers with a game in hand. The bottom team in League Two face a play-off to retain their league status. They have to play-off against the winners of an earlier play-off between the champions of the Lowland and Highland Leagues. Berwick drew at Albion Rovers on Saturday and made six changes to the side for tonights game. The Berwick website suggested that this was to rest players for matches in the next 14 days at home against Cowdenbeath and Queens Park. Both these sides have nothing to play for and two wins should guarantee safety for Berwick. Berwick changed their manager earlier in the season bringing in Johnny Harvey from Penicuik Athletic. He raided his old club for Andy Forbes, Craig Hume and Lewis Barr and interestedly all three started tonight on the bench having been regulars since moving to Berwick.

The game started with Berwick having the greater share of the ball although unable to make many clear chances due to the quality of the City defence. The defence have been strong all season for City and showed their quality in keeping Berwick at bay with Calum Antell in the City goal having little to do. City had an early chance with a header by Blair Henderson from a Gareth Taylor cross which went past the post. Berwick’s first attempt on goal came after twenty minutes when a shot from Sean Murphy was comfortably held by Antell. As the half drew to a close City picked up the pace and Marc Laird had a shot from outside the box blocked by the Berwick defence. City made a half-hearted penalty appeal but if there was a hand ball it was clearly unintentional. 

The second half began with City on the attack and after ten minutes Josh Walker hit a good shot from outside the box. Sean Brennan in the Berwick goal did well to get a hand to the ball and tipped it onto the bar and over. City went ahead just after the hour mark when a cross was knocked back by substitute Alan Smith into the path of striker Henderson. His shot was blocked by Berwick defender Dougie Brydon as he fell and the referee awarded a penalty. Centre forward Henderson took the kick and shot into the left hand side of the goal as Brennan dived the other way. Berwick brought on Lewis Barr after the goal and he had a fine effort with ten minutes to go. A good passing movement ended with the ball at Barr’s feet about twelve yards out but Antell got down to block his shot. As the game moved into injury team Barr had another opportunity as he raced clear onto a through ball. Under pressure from Conrad Balatoni he mishit his shot from the edge of the penalty box and the ball trickled past the far post.

After the game Malcolm and I walked along to Crewe Toll and caught a 24 bus back into town. Malcolm got off to catch another bus home to Longstone while I walked home along Fountainbridge arriving around 10.15.

Teams
Edinburgh City: Antell, Donaldson, McIntyre, Black, Balatoni, Laird, Walker, B. Henderson, Taylor, Shepherd, L.Henderson
Berwick Rangers: Brennan, O'Kane, Wilson, Aloulou, Murphy, Cook, McIlduff, Brydon, Rosie, Ogilvie, Adamson
Subs: Barr, Healey, Blues