Other games

Watched the Woking Cambridge game last night when the lights eventually went on. Tried to remember if I've been at a game where that's happened, I think I've been lucky, or at least can't remember.

Tomorrow night its the Iceland game and again its being described as a "must win" game. In actual fact I can't remember few Scotland games that weren't actually must winners! Still not to optimistic about our chances of getting to South Africa, but we'll see.

Nothing much

No real football stuff today, Trying to forget Saturday and its too early for next weekend yet. We've all got the internationals this mid week off course depending on your persuasion. There a game on Setanta tonight so I'll look in on that one and maybe just nod offffff..................................

Yesterday

Was certainly the day of the goalie, both for my team and that of the Polish national side. What a cracker that was, mind you these back passes should be outlawed. Never the less good win for the Irish, thank christ somebody managed a win, my team certainly were never going to. I'm old enough to remember when Scotland qualified for tournaments, I fear it'll be some time before we do so again.

We had quite a constructive Trust meeting before yesterdays game where we again pledged further financial support for the football club, which we are happy to be able to do in this time of need. A number of the Trust committee also signed up for the Supporters Club weekly draw. If you feel able do something similar, it's certainly required at the club, try your best.

Oh my god

If you were there today you'll know, if not ask our goalie. Never seen the likes for a long time, when called upon he failed, sorry son, it should be bye bye. Nobody spoke, just went home. It was all done.

Also heard some potentially disturbing news at the game, which I'll need confirmed before I comment on. Hope to hell its not right.

Can't say any more......

Saturday again
My first game in four tomorrow, and curiously enough my last one was Shire as well, in THAT incredible win. Same again lads will do just fine. However I see our third choice goalie is going to get a run out as the other two ain't available. Wonder what'll happen if a back up is required? Quite happy to see him given a chance however, go on boy show us what you can do.

How about these voting numbers for the new shirts? When I looked just the other day it was still shy of 500, now its on 1037. Where have all these people come from? With just over a week to go the result hardly looks in doubt. I certainly hope we are not all disappointed by the nobs at Hampden, don't hold your breath though......

The League and the City Cup

Great to see the lads won the City Cup last night at Lothian Thistle. This was off course last seasons final, but never the less a win is a win. I think that's the first time we have won the grand old trophy in something like 4 or 5 years. Good to see also that Lothian made the effort to produce a match programme, something I as a collector take an interest in.

Still looking at the league table as well, promise that's all for a while though. I noticed that we have scored 2 goals more that run away leaders Cowden, but their goal difference is 19 better than ours. Now, if I was a Government minister I'd be able to go into a massive rank telling you exactly what that mean. But I'm not so I'll leave it up to you!

Voting and the league

Just had a look to see how the voting for the new away shirt is going and am glad to see its still the red & black job in the lead. 475 people have now registered a vote which is great. I wonder if we an top the 500 mark?

Then I looked at the latest league table in some detail, something I've not been prone to do much this season for obvious reasons. The thing that surprised me the most is Forfar's position. One point of the play offs with two games in hand, where did that come from? We are only 8 of a similar position which also surprises me, given the legacy of the take over. It shows how well the team has done since then and what might be possible next season without a first part of the season as a write off.

Mini break

Apologies for my enforced absence, yes I've been on a mini break of the English premiership but a hic up with the old blog here denied me access, anyway I'm back and its talking to me again.

Spent a few days in the North West with my daughter, where after some "surfing" on Saturday morning we eventually went to Ewwood Park and watched The Rovers against West Ham. We had considered Oldham in Joe Royles first game game back but they wanted 20 quid to get in, for a 3rd division game, no thanks. Blackburn charged £16.60, even although we skipped that, cheers Danny. The players lounge was fairly sparse mind. The game itself was fairly crap, almost made me feel at home though!

Sunday we watched City huff and puff to a narrow win against Sunderland. It was the first time I've witnessed a £32,000,000, is that the right number of nots? in the flesh, but he did remind me of many players I have seen, shite. Sorry, but he did not impress.

So, consequently, I've missed our last two games where we've picked up 3 from 6 points. Can't personally comment more than that but 6 would have been better. But I have seen that 3 players have now signed for next season, that's getting better, keep going Jimmy.

Hello again

Apologies for my absence, if I wasn't a secret agent I'd be able to tell you where I've been, but alas...... anyway Tuesday nights game, wasn't there but what a disappointment after last Saturday. The only comment I've heard was that it was "shite", says it all really. However the good news this week so far is that apparently Jamie Ewart is the first player to sign on for next season. If true great news.

Back to much happier memories and last Saturday at Ochilview, here's a Cook report

Berwick Rangers turned in one of their best 45 minute spells of the last five years to blow title hopefuls East Stirling off the park in a superb match at Ochilview on Saturday. Darren Gribben grabbed the headlines with a slickly-taken hat-trick, but it was Rangers’ teamwork which destroyed one of the best Shire sides in recent memory. Shire had come into the match as the Third Division’s form outfit, with six wins from their previous seven matches. The margin of Rangers’ victory looked an unlikely prospect at half time after Shire had embarked on a mini-blitzkrieg following Gribben’s opener, but such was the extent of the Gers’ domination after the break that they could have won by seven or eight clear goals.

Already handicapped by the loss of their influential captain Stuart Callaghan, Rangers suffered a further blow when right back Graham Guy injured himself in the pre-match warm-up. This meant John Dillon moving to an unaccustomed right back spot and Peter McMahon taking over at left back. With a mistral howling down from the Ochil Hills, and the drastic plastic having one of its random bounce days, a long afternoon looked in prospect. That fear was hardly diminished by Shire centre half and ex- Ranger Michael Bolochoweckyj’s exit on a stretcher with only five minutes on the clock after a clash of heads with McLaren. Unsurprisingly, it took both sides time to settle and it was’nt until the 14^th minute that the game exploded into life, Barclay brilliantly tipping Stevenson’s rocket on to the bar to keep Rangers level. The casualty count continued to mount and Stevenson limped off in the twenty second minute. By this time Rangers had finally eased themselves into the action, and it was Gribben who slotted home a low McMenamin cross from close range to give his side a twenty eighth minute lead.

Shire’s retaliation was pretty much instantaneous, and for the next quarter of an hour they demonstrated why they’re many pundits title favourites by moving the ball around quickly and with bite, but Jamie Ewart and his colleagues were in “they shall not pass mode”, which made for an increasingly enthralling contest. Eight minutes from the interval, Graham missed a sitter for Shire, volleying wastefully over at the back post after Ure’s cross had beaten the Gers rearguard, but he was outdone on the stroke of half time by David Greenhill. McMahon had sent Gribben in on goal with a peach of a through ball, but Peat parried his shot straight to Greenhill’s feet, only for the midfielder to hoof the ball high and wide of an empty net. The half-time talk on the terracing was all about the miss coming back to haunt Rangers. Yep, we’ve been there too many times before.

The second half continued where the first had let off, Shire sub McKenzie belting a long - ranger inches wide in the 52^nd minute. Fraser McLaren went even closer two minutes later, outstripping the Shire defence to beat Peat only to watch his shot bounce back from the foot of the post. Next came the moment that sent the Shire support apoplectic with rage, ref Willie Collum red carding another ex-Ger, Eddie Forrest, for deliberate handball after he prevented Gribben from closing in on goal. It looked a touch harsh, but then if you’d watched the officials stiff Rangers at home to Dumbarton a few weeks ago you’d remember that what goes around comes around.

Rangers went for the kill and dispatched Shire in brutal fashion. With sixty seven minutes on the clock, and Rangers piling on the pressure, Peat’s weak kick-out was collected by Gribben who ran on to slide the ball past the stricken keeper with cold-eyed precision. Five minutes later, Greenhill battered a 20 yarder off the junction of Peat’s post and crossbar, and although it looked as if the ball had crossed the line Collum decided not to give the goal. By this time Shire were shellshocked, and things would have taken another turn for the worse had McLaren not failed to tap home Greenhill’s clever pass from virtually on the goal line. With six minutes remaining, Gribben collected another excellent McMahon pass, advanced on Peat and rifled an unstoppable 20 yarder into the top corner. Cue wild celebrations in the away end and Mad Bill going completely mental in the home stand. Despite the hammering they were taking, Shire rallied and Barclay had to make another excellent save at his near post from a Graham header, before the same player clipped the post with a close range flick. The pain was’nt over for the home side however, and McLaren knocked the final nail into their coffin with a cracking finish from McMenamin’s through ball two minutes from time.

Jimmy Crease and Ian Little have worked a modern day miracle at Shielfield, and you can only wonder where the team might have been placed had they been in charge at the start of the season. Their greatest achievement is to get their charges playing as a team, and that spirit has grown increasingly evident in performances that have laid waste to the top three in the league over the previous four games. A special mention must be made of Jamie Ewart, who gave one of th best defensive performances I’ve seen since Alan Neil was in his prime seven or eight years ago. Ewart is some player, and it’ is imperative that he stays at Shielfield.

Barclay 8; Dillon 8; McMahon 7; Ewart 10; Forrest 9; McMenamin 6; Bonar 6; Mearns 6; Greenill 5; Gribben 8; McLaren 8.

WOW

What an afternoon at Ochilview. One of the best Berwick performances in a long time and what a score. It could have been more as well. Second Berwick hat trick away from home in a matter of weeks, stunning. A number of superb individual performances as well, Gribben, Ewart, Dillon and more. Some great saves by Barclay. If only we could wave a magic wand and remove this season pre Crease, we would have been in play off's. Good away support as well behind the goal, 52 black & gold.

A real hard working display what a great change in team attitude
What a day in the league as well, all four top teams getting beat, what an upside down day.

Votes and foreign measurements

Had a look at the voting figures for the new away shirt at teatime. Up till then 199 votes had been cast with the red & black number out in front. Decent number so far, how many more will vote I wonder.

Then I noticed how our friends at Glebe Park are being picked on by the suits at the SFA and UEFA about their pitch not being wide enough, I ask you, apparently its 2.1 metres short of being wide enough. What the hell is 2.1 metres? I still deal in good old Imperial measures and am proud of it. Hell most in the SFA and all at UEFA have no idea where Brechin is. Start a campaign to save our hedge,I'll certainly sign up!

New shirts

Good to see the four alternatives for next seasons away shirt up on the sites for fans to make their choice. Also great to see an established company will be making them, that must surely help with sales. Both are huge steps forward and coupled with a decent system in place to flog them it will start to show the "new" club in a much more favourable light.

News out today of the end of season "do". Something that has been off the calendar of late. Good to see an early decision taken and something which we can look forward to. We can all wear our new strips which apparently may be on sale before the end of the season, great stuff indeed

A Cook report on Saturdays talk-in

Bright start by Rangers’ new board

Berwick Rangers’ new board kicked off a fresh era in the club’s history with an upbeat meeting attended by 50 supporters and press at the Magdalene Fields Golf Club prior to Saturday’s home victory over league leaders Cowdenbeath.

This was a radically different experience to some of the meetings with supporters held in previous years, with new chairman Brian Porteous and his fellow directors eager to engage with supporters and willing to listen to new ideas and suggestions. Demonstrating a canny knack for springing good news on an unsuspecting public, Brian used the meeting to announce the appointment of Jimmy Crease and Ian Little as Rangers manager and assistant manager for next season. The duo have transformed Rangers’ form and their appointments are thoroughly deserved. In contrast to the disappointment of the Renwick & McGonigal spells in charge, Crease and Little have galvanised a disorganised, dispirited bunch of players into arguably the most competitive and committed in the league, an achievement embellished by a hard fought but merited win over Cowdenbeath by virtue of Steve Bonar’s 51^st minute strike from close range.

If the management team can sustain the quantum leap in team spirit, then their ambition of a play-off place next season should be within reach.

The other key issues arising from Saturday’s meeting included:

· The development of plans for improvements to Shielfield Park in conjunction wit the new speedway promotion and Northumberland County Council, who will assume ownership of the stadium after the demise of Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council on 31^st March

· Confirmation of a new strip deal with Diadora for the next 2 years, with supporters invited to choose their favourite design for the away strip from a selection (subject to league approval)

· Confirmation that JB Site Investigations of Wooler have been signed up as main shirt sponsors for the next 2 seasons, and that Ideal Carpets have signed up as short sponsors for the same period

· Contract talks have been entered into with key players for next season

· Like all clubs, Rangers are facing a more challenging financial position than ever next year and sponsors are being sought to help meet the club’s running and other costs

· The new board will consider innovative approaches to the pricing of season tickets in an attempt to give greater choice to supporters

· The new club website, being provided by the Trust’s Paul Smith, is almost ready for launching and will provide the club with greater opportunities for increasing revenue through online sales of club strips and other merchandise etc

· Relations with the new speedway promotion are excellent and both clubs will continue to work together – some work has already been completed on improving directional signs to Shielfield

These are early days for everyone but the initial impression is that at long last, after years of conflict, Berwick Rangers finally have an enlightened and forward looking board in place, composed of people who care about what’s best for the supporters and the local community and fully understand the importance of a well-run and successful senior football team to that community.j

Another Sunday

Still reflecting in the glow of yesterdays fantastic win. Apparently the visiting fans numbered 105. Got to say I was a bit surprised there wasn't more. I'm sure I recall them having brought more for previous visits, no matter, still useful gate money. Taking away their number the crowd still came to over 400. Certainly an improvement on the Annan game.

A mention of Saturdays talk in. Some good information from Brian, new shirts from a named manufacturer, sponsors fixed up for the next two years, Jimmy Crease and Ian Little taking the management jobs for next season, new plans for the youth teams, and some good straight talking to boot. What a refreshing change. Its good to be back......

Today's game

Great win today, real gutsy performance in a game where all the team stood up and were counted. Cowden had their chances in front of goal, and I mean RIGHT in front of goal, but thankfully were found wanting. Their big number 11 had obviously been watching too much fitba on the telly. Don't try diving in this division lad its far too easily spotted, in these parts we call it cheating.

You have to think what might have been if we could rub out about the first half of this season and only count it since the take over. Ah well there's always next season. There was the talk in as well, more on that next time......

Saturdays game

Time to give just a passing thought to Saturdays game. League leaders and our friends from "the Athens of the north" Cowden. Always a hard game and probably on balance the best footballing team I've seen in our division this season.

We also have the talk in to consider at the golf club. I just wish there was somewhere at the club that club events could be held, maybe in the future after all the bills are squared away. On that tack, I noticed the Black & Gold in the paper today for 55k. Anybody got any change?

Going down

Just sitting watching the two live games that are on just now and the one thing that combines the English and Scottish premier leagues is the combined ability of the players to go down with alarming alacrity at almost every opportunity in an effort to con a decision out of the hard pressed referee.

Second only to that is the number of different ways the commentators can find to describe it. The one they normally avoid using is cheat. That is exactly what it is make no mistake, and I for one would like to see it called exactly that.

Oh, and finally is the Kilmarnock tunnel the most narrow in the world. It looks like the teams were emerging from a wardrobe, take a look next time they're on the telly!

No news......is good news

No news at all really to mull over so far this week reference BRFC. Thoughts of other football enters the mind. Footie on the telly every night off course and I seem to end up watching most of it.

Interested to watch Sky Sports news recently when they were discussing the top leagues in Europe and the number of players therein who were not eligible to play for the host countries national team. England came out on top with 65% of the players not eligible for the national side. Certainly can't help the national team set up of any country that.

Then a few days later all the other home countries announce they are pursuing a situation where anyone who has spent 5 years in education within that country can play for said country.

Is it just me or is that daft or what......

Question

Still thinking about Saturdays game, and a couple of questions have cropped up in my mind given the scoreline. Who was the last Berwick player to score a hat trick away from home and end up on the loosing side? And when was the last time Berwick were involved in a game when there was 8 goals scored in one half? Can't remember the the half time score at Peterhead though. Answers on a postcard etc......

The talk in is mentioned on the club site as I said. First chance for those that want to ask questions to the new board face to face. I wasn't at the last one but it might be fair to say there should be no comparison.

Post match thoughts

I see that the media have it sorted who our scorers were, or not were, yesterday. I wonder how many of these hacks were actually at Station Park? Apparently I missed our best goal when I visited the toilets at the bottom end of the ground. In complete darkness they were as well, I suppose it avoids potential embarrassment for some! Mind you those that told me would say that wouldn't they, you know who you are lads!

Liked the new club shop at Station Park, well done to all concerned. Also thought the Berwick flag, in the second half, high on the terrace behind the goal looked great, nice one.