Pre-Season Friendly: Spartans 0-3 Berwick Rangers

Posted on Wednesday, July 9th, 2014

Three second half goals were enough to give Berwick Rangers victory as Spartans got their pre-season schedule underway Ainslie Park.

There were debuts for Craig Stevenson & Michael Herd with Michael Bruce starting on the bench for the Lowland League title holders against their SPFL Division 2 opponents.

After appearing as a trialist for Hearts in their weekend win v Dinamo Bucharest, there was a spot in the away dugout for the Borderers star man Lee Currie.

Spartans looked the livelier of the two sides in the early stages and Michael Andrews had to look sharp to deflect a net bound Keith McLeod strike round the post.

A robust challenge by Jonny Fairbairn on Willie Bremner put paid to any thoughts of this fixture being a genteel ‘friendly’, with the Referee ensuring the Berwick man knew who was in charge.

Dean Hoskins attempted a speculative long-range free kick effort midway through the half however his shot just about had enough air to reach the welcoming gloves of keeper Murray Jackson.

Both teams had the ball in the net before the break however the Referee’s Assistants on either side of the park were first with the flag to ensure the sides went into the changing rooms all square.

Half Time: Spartans 0-0 Berwick.

Hibernian Manager Alan Stubbs was an interested spectator in what proved to be winning forty five minutes for the visitors.

Spartans came close to breaking the deadlock when a Jack Beesley cross was whipped in to the box however Willie Bremner wasn’t able to direct his header goal bound at the near post.

The visitors took the lead in the 56^th minute when Jay Doyle grabbed an opener for Berwick.  10 minutes later, that lead was doubled after a Route 1 Garry Owen hoof up the park was collected by Andy Russell who lobbed the advancing Jackson.

Worse was to follow with 20 minutes left on the clock when Doyle latched on to a loose Michael Bruce back-pass to wrap up a 0-3 win.

A late consolation goal for the home side was denied at the death by an acrobatic Andrews who dived low to push Willie Bremner’s attempt round the post to earn the keeper a clean sheet.

Final Score: Spartans 0-3 Berwick Rangers

Spartans: Jackson, Stevenson, Cennerazzo, Sivewright, O’Donnell, Muhsin, Beesley, Herd, Bremner, McLeod, Motion. Subs: Gilpin, Atkinson, Henretty, Grant & Bruce.

Many thanks to Stevie Stewart for his match pictures.  They can be viewed by clicking here