[HibeeJibee]

East of Scotland 'City' Cup Final

Berwick Rangers 2-0 Edinburgh City

Berwick won their 5th City Cup running, in what was apparently the earliest-ever final, against a resilient but ultimately not quite good enough capital outfit.


Berwick, as has become their habit in recent editions, fielded something approaching a full-strength XI - and certainly the centre-back pairing, and the strikeforce, told in quality. They opened the scoring after only 5mins when Darren Gribben (the current holder of the Ginger Boots) bent-it-like-Beckham over the wall and past Stobie in the City goal.

Berwick were on top early-doors regularly beating men down the wings and troubling City's back-line, but this was perhaps unsurprising... the Meadowbank men haven't played a competitive match for a month, since the Qualifying Cup final which got them to Shielfield infact, and were astruck by a lengthy injury and suspension list.

However, as the half wore on City shook-off their rustiness and began to get themselves into the game, their wide player Cennerazzo in particular finding a lot of fruitful play down Berwick's right flank... Paul Devlin also showed a lot of good ball skill in the centre midfield and in attack, and by half-time City were matching Berwick if not slightly the better side in the closing minutes. In they went, 1-0 HT.

Second half kicked-off without any subs, and City continued to improve their possession and ambitions - but they were struck by a sucker-punch. Former Gretna professional Fraser McLaren streaked down the righthand side, and played a low diagonal ball inside to Damon Gray. The former Hibs youth, most recently with Swedish outfit Ostersund, recaptured his SFL form of earlier in the season by rounding Stobie and smashing Berwick into a 2-0 lead... although he'd have been left red-faced if it hadn't deflected down off the crossbar.

And the game finished 2-0 with City searching for 2 goals but really never looking likely candidates to get them, and Berwick pressing for more goals but not finding the net (partly due to a pair of rather poor misses from Fraser McLaren and Darren Smith). They introduced Ross Gray, late-on, signed on loan from Livingston yesterday: and he showed much ballskill and dribbling ability down the right.


Overall a deserved win for a strong Berwick side but City put-up a good show. Man of the Match for me was Berwick's striker Damon Gray, though Gribben did well and so too the CB pairing of McLean and Townsley. City notables included Vanson and Cennerazzo on the right and Devlin and Gair in midfield. The "Citizens" did their best, but were ultimately out-classed by stronger League opposition.

[HibeeJibee]

Line-ups:

BERWICK RANGERS... Sorley, Walker, Deland, McLean, Townsley, Currie (sub Notman 60mins), McLaren (sub R.Gray 70mins), Smith, Ponton, D.Gray, Gribben (sub Noble 70mins)
Unused... Barclay; McDonald

EDINBURGH CITY... Stobie; Vanson, Cennerazzo, Harrison, Scott (sub Guthrie 75mins), McFarland, Devlin, Gair, R.Ross (sub Hunter 55mins), MacFarlane (sub Elliott 50mins), K.Ross
Unused... Dick, Mackintosh

Only booking was City's Harrison about 80mins.

[AllStars11]

Was there much of a crowd ???

[HibeeJibee]

Somewhat disappointing, perhaps something around 100-120, though I'm no mega-accurate judge.

This post has been edited by HibeeJibee: 07 January 2012 - 18:37

[TheArtfulShearer]

Darren Smith had a cracking game, he was my MOTM, thought he ran the midfield effectively.

Ponton again with the exception of one jink and cross was a huge let dissapoinment. You'd think this would be his level but really looked weak and out of place.

So good having Ross Gray back with us, pace to burn and loads of ability, going to be a huge asset to the club next few months.

Edinburgh's number 3 (can't remember his name) looked a real good player!

[Fisherman]

Eyemouth vs Kelso lasted about ten minutes

Kelso lad fell after a challenge and looked to have dislocated his shoulder, it was only a few yards from the side of the pitch but for some reason he was left in that position until the ambulance came 20 or so minutes later. think the ref must've been worried that it would get dark by the end of the game so it was abandoned.

[Am footy]

Fisherman, on 07 January 2012 - 18:52, said:

Eyemouth vs Kelso lasted about ten minutes

Kelso lad fell after a challenge and looked to have dislocated his shoulder, it was only a few yards from the side of the pitch but for some reason he was left in that position until the
ambulance came 20 or so minutes later. think the ref must've been worried that it would get dark by the end of the game so it was abandoned.

Any idea who the player was?

[dexter5]

heard gormley scored again surely whitehill must wish he was still doing it for them

[Mr Tee]

Watched most of the Easthouses vs Hawick game.

Full credit to the players in terms of work rate, desire, attitude and commitement. The pitch was terrible, wind howling and it was baltic but they all got fired in. First goal was crucial, about 40th minute an easthouses corner was swung in missed everyone, hit the Hawick defender smack in the gob and trickled into the net from 3 yards. Easthouses were the only winners after that without ever taking over the game fully. 2nd goal came not long into 2nd half, super strike from 20 yards was palmed straight out to the centre forward to tap home. Hawick tried to get back into it, left some gaps and were punished.

But jesus it was brutal, in fact i dont think ive ever payed to watch anything that poor before. Worst 70 minutes i have ever seen. Im sure the players are better than what i witnessed today, perhaps just one of those scrappy games that both teams were more concerned about not loosing rather than looking to win so i will give them some slack.

Crowd of about 10.

This post has been edited by Mr Tee: 07 January 2012 - 21:11

[Border bellend]

Jamie Swales midfielder,

Mr fisherman to give you a reason as you are obviously not clever enough to have noticed this yourself. Jamie dislocated his shoulder, he is a very hard & fair player and doesnt stay down for much, he was in a great amount of pain and was in no state to be moved incase any major damage was done, hence the reason an ambulance was called, hope this answers your question as to why he was left in this position, players saftey should always come first.

This post has been edited by Border bellend: 07 January 2012 - 20:04

[dave the rave]

Am footy, on 07 January 2012 - 19:07, said:

Any idea who the player was?

it was jamie swailes oor all action midfeilder a nothing tackle but landed bad which resulted in a bad injury for the young lad hope he is back soon!!

[HawickRoyalAlbertPieMan]

Easthouses 3 - 0 HawickRA

No team really started but easthouses took the lead just before half time when a corner was swung in which came of the face of a hawick midfielder.

Half time ( 1-0 )

into the second half easthouses doubled their lead when a shot was saved by the hawick keeper but an easthouses striker was soon too follow up too slot in the corner. Hawick struggled to get into the second half but created some good chances but couldnt find the back of the net. With 5 minutes too go a ball was swung in from the left which found the head of an easthouses player and found the back of the net to put the icing on the cake. Hawick played some good football and are improving,a few new trailists played which showed up well for the manager.

Full time ( 3 - 0)

This post has been edited by HawickRoyalAlbertPieMan: 08 January 2012 - 23:16

[theoneandonly]

dave the rave, on 07 January 2012 - 20:12, said:

it was jamie swailes oor all action midfeilder a nothing tackle but landed bad which resulted in a bad injury for the young lad hope he is back soon!!

Thought it might have been your nose

[dillinger]

HawickRoyalAlbertPieMan, on 07 January 2012 - 20:13, said:

Easthouses 3 - 0 HawickRA

No team really started but easthouses took the lead just before half time when a corner was swung in which came of the face of a hawick midfielder.

Half time ( 1-0 )

into the second half easthouses doubled their lead when a shot was saved by the hawick keeper but an easthouses striker was soon too follow up too slot in the corner. Hawick struggled to get into the second half but created some good chances but couldnt find the back of the net. With 5 minutes too go a ball was swung in from the left which found the head of an easthouses player and found the back of the net. Hawick played some good football and are improving,a few new trailists played which showed up well for the manager.

Full time ( 3 - 0)

Was it not 4-0? F.T.

[dave the rave]

theoneandonly, on 07 January 2012 - 20:32, said:

Thought it might have been your nose

clown

[mancinirules]

Pretty sure I only counted 3 v Hawick - o.g./rebound/corner. Not an attractive game but well done to ELMWFC and thanks for super hospitality afterwards.

[disleksick]

Different score on the east of Scotland website.
About time easthouses got a win but there seasons finished. They should start looking to next season!

[HawickRoyalAlbertPieMan]

mancinirules, on 07 January 2012 - 21:41, said:

Pretty sure I only counted 3 v Hawick - o.g./rebound/corner. Not an attractive game but well done to ELMWFC and thanks for super hospitality afterwards.

Im sure it was 3 aswell, oh well.

[berwick-the-unbeatable]

HibeeJibee, on 07 January 2012 - 17:51, said:

Leave the reviews to me you dirty twat

For anyone who wants a real match review, click here...

Of course, i'm only joking. My match report actually contains very little information on Edinburgh City, mainly due to the fact that they didn't really create much. It was a very comfortable 2-0, though no doubt some of those crazy City fans will be on to tell me otherwise. I thought they were a little unfortunate not to get a penalty, mind you. Also thought their right back, who we spent the game debating if he was Cennerazzo or not, was really impressive. On trial with us a couple of seasons back and look alright, but he looked easily City's stand out player. Forgot to mention him in the blog.

[Scotty Gormley]

dexter5, on 07 January 2012 - 19:53, said:

heard gormley scored again surely whitehill must wish he was still doing it for them

Aye, I popped up with another goal, I should have scored 3.

Scotty G 14 in 14

[Fisherman]

Border bellend, on 07 January 2012 - 20:04, said:

Jamie Swales midfielder,

Mr fisherman to give you a reason as you are obviously not clever enough to have noticed this yourself. Jamie dislocated his shoulder, he is a very hard & fair player and doesnt stay down for much, he was in a great amount of pain and was in no state to be moved incase any major damage was done, hence the reason an ambulance was called, hope this answers your question as to why he was left in this position, players saftey should always come first.

Fair enough, i wasnt criticizing anyone. Just asking the question. Hope he makes a speedy recovery.

[i p squint]

Fisherman, on 08 January 2012 - 09:58, said:

Fair enough, i wasnt criticizing anyone. Just asking the question. Hope he makes a speedy recovery.

players safety is always paramount in these situations,the player was obviously in some pain n couldnt leave the pitch & the ref felt there would be unsufficien t light to carry on so abandoned the game,the actions of the eyemouth goalie towards the kelso committee was shocking,it was the ref that called the game off n not the kelso officials,hope jamie has a speedy recovery!

[tamthebam]

Can't fault HJ's match report. We did enjoy a wee spell towards the end of the first half where we pushed Berwick back but didn't capitalize on our chances.


To be honest the game felt more like a pre-season friendly than a cup final to me. So that's 1 cup final lost.... here's to the next 12 in a row!

McFarland takes on Berwick under the lights in the 2nd half- my photos under floodlights don't usually work..and this one is no exception!
 sumo.JPG (129.16K)
Number of downloads: 5

A Berwick ballboy waits in vain for some action....
 ballboy.JPG (130.74K)
Number of downloads: 7

[mancinirules]

disleksick, on 07 January 2012 - 21:57, said:

Different score on the east of Scotland website.

It's been corrected now. Just shows that you cannae always believe what you read.

[Cicero]

mancinirules, on 08 January 2012 - 22:23, said:

It's been corrected now. Just shows that you cannae always believe what you read.

That corrected score now makes Grim predictor of the week.