15th October 2022 The Spartans 3. Berwick Rangers 0

A second game at Ainslie Park in two days with Spartans taking on Berwick Rangers in a South of Scotland Challenge Cup tie.A i am feeling a lot better I decided to walk to Ainslie Park and instead of walking down the railway path I went via Haymarket and the National Gallery and then down Orchard Brae. From their I walked up to Crewe Toll past the Western General and then along Ferry Road before turning off to Ainslie Park. I was a bit disappointed that season tickets were not valid for this match so I had bought a Fanbase admission ticket. This was scanned at the turnstile for entry.I then bought a programme before, as it was only 14.40 heading up to the cafe. I had a chat with Stuart, the Spartans announcer and programme editor before heading into the cafe. Just as I bought a coffee and a sausage roll a Spartans official cam round the cafe advising that kick-off was delayed until 15.15. The reason being that one of the linesman had phoned in to say he was stuck in traffic and would be late arriving at the ground. After taking my time finishing my snack I headed back out for a seat in the stand. As a was looking for a seat I saw an ex-work colleague George amongst the Berwick fans. We exchanged a wave before I took a seat to the left of the halfway line. 

Spartans made a few changes to the side who defeated Cumbernauld last week. Scott Maxwell joined the injury list while Blair Henderson and Cammy Russell dropped to the bench for a rest given the number of matches they have played recently. Into the side came Sean Brown, Bradley Whyte and Jamie Penker. Berwick Rangers were relegated from the SPFL at the end of season 2018/2019 following a 7-0 defeat by Highland League champions Cove Rangers in the play-offs. Since then Berwick have been a mid table Lowland league side. However this season under manager Stuart Malcolm they have signed a number of new players in a bid to move back into the SPFL. Amongst the new players are ex Edinburgh City regulars, or FC Edinburgh as they are now called, Callum Antell, Alex Harris, James Farrell, Michael Travis and Lewis Allan, Berwick also signed former St. Johnstone centre-half and captain Stephen Anderson who is unfortunately currently out injured. Despite the influx of new players the season has not gone too well for Berwick and they currently sit twelfth in the nineteen club Lowland League.

When the match finally started Berwick had the first shot at goal as Allan broke into the penalty box on the right. His shot was well saved by Blair Carrswell in the Spartans goal. Penker had Spartans first attempt with a header but his effort lacked power and was easily gathered by Antell in the Berwick goal. Spartans then took control and Sean Brown had a chance when he robbed a defender on the edge of the box. His shot liked power and was saved by Antell in goal. Mikey Allan was next to  have a go with a break down the left but his shot was pushed away for a corner by Antell at the near post. Rhys Armstrong finally gave Spartans the lead after twenty-five minutes. The ball came to him on the left of the penalty area in line with the near post. He hit the ball sweetly on the half-volley giving Antell no chance of making save. The game contOnued with Spartans on top but the score remained 1-o at halftime.

Carswell was forced to punch away a free-kick into the area early in the second half in a rare Berwick attack. On the hour mark Spartans brought on Mikey Herd, Henderson and Russell for Woods, Whyte and Penker in an effort to score a game clinging goal. The goal came around ten minutes later when Brown robbed a Berwick defender twenty yards from goal. He passed to Henderson on his left who raced into the penalty box. His shot was pushed away by Antell in goal but fell at the feet of Brown who had an easy task knocking the rebound into the net. With ten minutes to go Spartans were awarded a penalty when Russell broke into the penalty area on the left. He was taken done from behind by a defender and the referee had no need for VAR in what was a clear penalty decision. Henderson took the kick and put the ball not the left hand corner of the net as Antell dived to the right. To make things worse for Berwick Travis was shown a red card after an elbow in an aerial challenge with Russell on the halfway line brought the defender a second yellow card. The final whistle blew and Spartans now face a home tie with Glsgow University in the next round. 

I walked up to Ferry Road and saw a 27 was due in six minutes. I waited for hat bus and was home by 17.40. I was then able to watch most of he Spurs v Everton match on Sky to complete a good football day.

Teams

The Spartans: Carswell, Woods, Allan, Waugh, Watson, Armstrong, Dishington, Jones, S. Brown, Whyte, Penker.

Subs: Henderson, Herd, Russell, A. Brown, Inglis.

Berwick Rangers: Antell, Nelson, Fenton, Scobbie, Travis, Stevenson, Sabatini, Sinclair, Allan, Buchanan, Baker.

Subs: Stewart, Taylor, Barr, Pyper