8th November 2019 The Spartans v Berwick Rangers 1-0

This match should have been played a few weeks ago but was postponed as Spartans Scottish Cup replay with Deveronvale took precedence. The re-arranged date meant that Jim, who is in Italy and Alex, out for dinner with some ex-colleagues could not attend so it looked as if I would be on my own. As I had done quite a bit of walking during the day I decided to be lazy and catch a busy. Caught a 27 bus at Tollcross at 18.25 but it must have been early as we arrived at Inverleith by 18.50. As I did not want to be too early I got off there and walked along Ferry Road to Ainslie Park. Arrived at the ground around 19.10 and used my season ticket to get in. Jim had asked me to get him a programme so I bought two today. Then headed to the cafe for a coffee, no sausage rolls tonight so I made do with just the drink. As I was sitting drinking my coffee and reading the programme a crowd of Berwick fans came in. To my surprise one of the group was Robert, who I had worked with in Corporate Banking about ten years ago. We had a chat to catch up and I then headed for a seat in the stand while Robert and his friends joined the Berwick fans at the other end of the stand. 

Spartans had a few selection issues tonight. Michael Bolochoweckyj and Leeroy Makovora were suspended, Mikey Allan and David Greenhill injured, Dale Baxter and Jack Smith not yet ready after recovering recently from injury and Cameron Dawson, who scored the winner against Dalbeattie on Saturday, was on holiday. The Spartans line-up featured three fullbacks. Of this trio Jordan Caddow played in central defence alongside Adam Corbett with Jake Davidson and Dean Hoskins in their preferred full-back roles. Berwick have had a tough start in the Lowland League following their relegation from the SPFL and currently sit thirteenth in the sixteen team table. They have however picked up recently with a  win over Dalbeattie and only a last minute equaliser preventing another victory over Caledonian Braves lat week. Berwick included former Hibs player Kevin Waugh in their side along with Ali Forster who also has Hibs connections. His brother Jordan played for Hibs and is now playing with Dundee in the Championship. 

The game kicked off with Berwick doing most of the attacking with former Penicuik star Lewis Barr prominent in midfield. Joao Balde was also looking good down the left hand side of the pitch. Berwick forced at leat five corners in the first fifteen minutes but Blair Carswell was largely untroubled until Waugh headed over the bar after being left unmarked at the far post. Aaron Scott of Spartans went down injured after fifteen minutes. There was no-one near him at the time and it looked serious as he needed treatment from the physio before limping off. He required further treatment on the touchline before returning to play and strangely Spartans seemed to improve after his return. Scott and Ian McFarland began to take a grip in midfield and Aaron Murrel had a shot after cutting in from the left blocked for a corner. Alan Brown had a shot from twenty-five yards but his effort was straight at Berwick keeper Mark Walters. Spartans took the lead just before half-time when Waugh was caught in possession by Scott Maxwell around thirty-five yards from goal. He broke forward and as the Berwick defenders closed in passed forward to Murrell who made a run into the penalty box. Murrell took a touch and then shot low across the diving Walters into the net. Having been released by Berwick I would imagine the goal gave him a great deal of satisfaction.

The second half started with Carswell doing well to get down to block an effort from Richard Miller following a corner. Berwick continued to press for an equaliser but the Spartans defence held firm and most of the play was in midfield. After about sixty-five minutes Nicky Reid went past a defender and had a shot from the edge of the Berwick box which Walters saved. Murrell had a good run but was fouled just outside the area. The initial attempt was blocked by the Berwick wall but the referee adjudged there had been encroachment. The second attempt by Scott was deflected for a fruitless corner. With about ten minutes to go Adam Corbett was booked for a foul on Balde about twenty yards from goal. Waugh's attempt from the free-kick was hit over the bar. Goalscorer Murrell was replaced by Rory Campbell as the clock ticked down which gave anther graduate of the Spartans academy a first team opportunity. Deep into injury time Jordan Caddow won a free-kick just outside his own penalty area. Berwick manager Ian Little was not amused by the decision and received a red card from the referee. The free-kick was taken and the final whistle blew shortly thereafter giving Spartans a 1-0 win and three league points. The result also ended a run of four home defeats in a row for Spartans.

After the final whistle I walked up to Ferry Road and found it would be twelve minutes before a 27 bus was due. I walked along Ferry Road to the Crewe Toll roundabout and caught 24 to the top of Lothian Road. Walked along Fountainbridge home arriving at 10.20 after a good nights entertainment despite the lack of goals.

The Spartans: Carswell, Davidson, Caddow, Hoskins, Corbett, Scott, Brown, McFarland, Murrell, Maxwell, Reid.

Subs: Woods, Atkinson, Campbell

Berwick Rangers: Walters. Brian, Waugh, Lumsden, Miller, Smith, Purves, Forster, Rose, Barr, Balde.

Subs: Opoka-Berchie, Chalmers