Berwick Rangers vs Stenhousemuir

Match Report

The Warriors started our 2022-23 season away to Berwick Rangers for a friendly match.

After 5 training sessions, Swifty almost has a full squad to choose from, with only Will Sewell and Dan Higgins missing out after picking up small knocks.

This meant that there were 3 debutants in the Starting 11 with Conor Brennan, Craig Bryson and Matty Yates and a further 3 on the bench with Cantley, Joseph and Walker.

This meant that Swifty lined up with Brennan in goals, a familiar back 4 of Yeats, Jamieson, Crighton and Corbett with Nat Wedderburn just ahead of those. Bryson, Brown and O’Reilly make up the middle 3 with Matty Yates partnering Tam Orr up front.

Mikey Anderson, Mikey Miller and Ross Forbes made up the bench.

Matty Yates gets the season underway It took the visitors a few minutes to get into their rhythm, but the defence continued their solid end to last season.

Chances for both sides were few and far between with only a few corners for each side in the first 15th minutes, a pattern that would be extended to the whole first half.

Euan O’Reilly also looks to be really up for it and has caused lots of issues on the left wing, but nothing much coming from his efforts aside from the odd corner.

Stenhousemuir’s first proper shot on goal came in the 20th minute when Matty Yates got on the end of a Tam Orr through ball. The defender done just enough to put the striker off his shot though and the keeper easily held.

Nicky Jamieson was unlucky to see a header come off the bar in the best chance of the game.

Berwick did have a good chance to take the lead with 5 minutes of the first half to play with the ball dropping in 10 yards from goal but Brennan was able to hold the ball.

HALF TIME: BERWICK RANGERS 0-0 STENHOUSEMUIR

Swifty shuffles his pack at half time with all subs making an appearance. Jay Cantley takes his place in goals, Scott Walker replaces Adam Corbett. Mikey Miller, Mikey Anderson and Ross Forbes replace Nat Wedderburn, Craig Bryson and Adam Brown. Niyah Joseph replaces Euan O’Reilly.

Into the 2nd and The Warriors look far more comfortable on the ball. Mikey Anderson is controlling the game from midfield and Scott Walker has been making good runs down the right.

Ross Forbes nearly picked out the first goal of the match inside the 5th minute but his curling effort went just wide of the keepers post.

Ross Forbes had another chance to open the scoring with a free kick from 20 yards. Despite being on target, the defence managed to clear out for a corner.

The visitors have definitely upped their passing game in the 2nd half and have gained full control of the match. The home defence is proving stubborn though, and The Warriors are struggling to find that killer touch.

GOAL: Into the 25th minute of the half and Berwick open the scoring. Slack play at the back from Nicky say a short pass to Yeats who failed to get the ball under control. The Berwick attack broke forward and Lewis Baker scored with a neat finish.  BERWICK RANGERS 1-0 STENHOUSEMUIR [Baker, 60th minute]

GOAL: With Berwick sitting back and soaking up the pressure, Ross Forbes and Scott Walker had some go play down the right. The former Airdrie man played his cross in and Tam Orr managed to head in his first of the season. BERWICK RANGERS 1-1 STENHOUSEMUIR [Orr, 80th minute]

Niyah Joseph and Matty Yates both had their opportunity to get their first goals for the club within seconds. Niyah shot was blocked and Matty’s follow up was easy for the keeper.

FULL TIME: BERWICK RANGERS 1-1 STENHOUSEMUIR

Berwick have perhaps proved a more sterner test than expected. They were very disciplined in their setup and play and would perform well against many League Two sides.

The Warriors are next in action on Tuesday against Morton in a closed door friendly at Stiring Uni.