Down to the wire
Stuart Fraser scored the all important goal today that got Berwick the three points they needed to set up the decider next weekend. Steve Noble's free kick came back off the post and with the keeper AWOL Fraser stabbed it in. Albion had some good chances to equalise but, much like Elgin last week, their finishing was woeful. Just as well.
Berwick played a 4-4-2 formation with Manson, back from suspension, at right back, Notman came into right midfield with Steven Noble, in for the suspended Haynes, on the left. Diack was upfront with David Greenhill for support. Notman had been able to run with the ball and provide some passes for Greenhill and Diack which prompted Coughlin to swap him around with Manson for the second half.
Ian Little was introduced as a replacement for Fraser (shoulder injury) and immediately Berwick had more bite and created chances again. Danny Swanson also came on for Berwick and again was prepared to run at the Albion defence. Except for one heart-stopping moment late on when Albion again threatened, and again failed, to equalise, Berwick finished the stronger. By the end both teams seemed exhausted playing for 90 minutes on such a warm day.
So, with Haynes available again next week, Gary Greenhill hopefully back in midfield too, Little and Swanson pressing for starting places it will be interesting to see whether Coughlin experiments in such a vital game - or goes with the players who've been doing the business over the season as a whole.
above: Stuart Fraser, on the score sheet today, feeling the effects of his shoulder injury.
above: Diack sends one round the wall. The keeper got to this one sadly.
above: A welcome return to action for Danny Swanson
above: Ian Little looks for a way to tuck this one away
above: nervous fans
Berwick played a 4-4-2 formation with Manson, back from suspension, at right back, Notman came into right midfield with Steven Noble, in for the suspended Haynes, on the left. Diack was upfront with David Greenhill for support. Notman had been able to run with the ball and provide some passes for Greenhill and Diack which prompted Coughlin to swap him around with Manson for the second half.
Ian Little was introduced as a replacement for Fraser (shoulder injury) and immediately Berwick had more bite and created chances again. Danny Swanson also came on for Berwick and again was prepared to run at the Albion defence. Except for one heart-stopping moment late on when Albion again threatened, and again failed, to equalise, Berwick finished the stronger. By the end both teams seemed exhausted playing for 90 minutes on such a warm day.
So, with Haynes available again next week, Gary Greenhill hopefully back in midfield too, Little and Swanson pressing for starting places it will be interesting to see whether Coughlin experiments in such a vital game - or goes with the players who've been doing the business over the season as a whole.
above: Stuart Fraser, on the score sheet today, feeling the effects of his shoulder injury.
above: Diack sends one round the wall. The keeper got to this one sadly.
above: A welcome return to action for Danny Swanson
above: Ian Little looks for a way to tuck this one away
above: nervous fans
posted by theducket at 10:22 PM
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