When this match was re-arranged, Stirling were going well whilst Berwick were firmly entrenched at the foot of the table and seemed a club in turmoil. Whilst their off the field problems seem to continue with two directors having left the club, on the field, new manager Sandy Clark seems to be getting the club on the right track. Following last week’s draw at Alloa, Berwick left Forthbank with all three points, a result which left a lot of Albion supporters very upset with an inept performance from their favourites.

The fact that only one goal was scored was, in itself, as much a miracle as the match surviving the freeze which enveloped much of Scotland and caused the postponement of several matches. Both teams made enough chances, especially in the first half, that 5-5 would not have been a more realistic score. However, the Binos have a midfield which seems to be unable to deliver the goals which you would expect from the midfield whilst Glancy seems to have gone off the boil. This leaves a big burden on the shoulders of Scott McLean which isn’t helped by his tendency to drift out of the 18 yard box.

The Binos starting line up showed 4 changes from last week with Rowe out injured, Devine supspended, Galloway seemingly dropped altogether and Allan back on the bench. In their places, Hutchison was a surprise inclusion although his performance at centre back in the Stirlingshire Cup Final possibly gave Moore reason to believe that he would be a better option than the Chris Scotland who appears to going through a period where his confidence has deserted him. Pual Hay was at left back whilst Ferguson was back in midfield and O’Brien was in his customary left wing position.

The Binos were first to threaten as early as the 3rd minute when McLean beat two defenders and played the ball to MacDonald. Unfortunately, his shot from point blank range rebounded off O’Connor as far as Gibson whose shot was also blocked. The rebound fell to Glancy who was unable to finish off the move. This proved a let off for Berwick who punished the Binos 3 minutes later when they took the lead. A cross from the right glanced off the top of Clarke’s head and fell to Smith who blasted a shot past Hogarth.

Berwick continued to press and Gordon collected a cross in the 18 yard box. He managed to get round Hogarth and appeared to have made enough of an angle to get a shot in. Fortunately, Paul Nugent managed to get back in time to clear the danger. A minute later, a ball over the top of the defence fell to Clarke but Hogarth dealt comfortably with the weak shot.

At this stage, Berwick were belying their lowly position with a brand of neat, possession football which almost brought a second goal which Hogarth managed to deny. Berwick seemed the hungrier team. At the other end, O’Brien cut in and played the ball to Glancy whose shot was blocked by O’Connor. Ferguson, who appeared to have picked up an injury, was replaced in the 24th minute by Chris Scotland. This saw Hutchison move into midfield.

A cross from Hay reached Hutchison but he could only direct his header straight at O’Connor. Glancy then turned and shot from 25 yards but his effort did not carry enough of a threat to beat O’Connor. Glancy then turned provider when he used his body to turn the ball to Gibson but his shot went well over the crossbar.
Berwick had a chance to double their lead when Nugent brought down Little in the penalty box after Smith had beaten Neville. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but Seaton’s spot kick, although it sent Hogarth the wrong way, went well past.

As half time approached, the Binos tried to level the match. Firstly, a cross from Gibson found it’s way to O’Brien but his shot was parried by O’Connor. Then, McLean cut in from the right but his weak shot went straight into O’Connors’ hands. Half time came with Berwick in the lead 1-0.

The second half started quietly and it was 10 minutes before the first incident of note. A corner left Cowan with acres of space in the 18 yard box. Fortunately, for Binos’ fans, the veteran Berwick defender’s header went wide. A few minutes later, Murie became the first player to be booked for upending Glancy. Shortly after that, Hutchison became the first Stirling player to be booked for a spot of wrestling with Berwick’s Connell who, himself, earned a reprimand from the referee.

Stirling then made their second change with Neville being replaced by Wilson as Moore sought more attacking options. Berwick made their first change with Hutchison coming on in place of Smith who had been causing the Binos’ defence a lot of problems. However, he had appeared to have picked up an injury as the Berwick physio produced an ice pack for him. A strange move considering how cold it was today.

Another corner to Berwick caused further danger in the Binos’ defence but the final shot went over the crossbar. The Binos then made their final substitution when Glancy was replaced by Gethins. Almost immediately, the on loan Ross County player had an opportunity to equalise but his shot, from a McLean knock down, went narrowly past the post. Berwick then brought on Hampshire in place of Gordon.

As the match went into the last 10 minutes, Berwick appeared to be happy to cling on to their slender lead as, at times, they had all 11 players in their own half. Even Hogarth, in the Stirling goal, seemed to be eager to go up for corner kicks although he managed to curb his enthusiasm, perhaps on instructions from the bench. With a few minutes left, good work by Gethins set up McLean but the ball appeared to get tangled in Triggers’ feet and the chance was lost. The Binos continued to press as the match went into injury time but the Binos’ fans who had left the match early perhaps knew that this was not to be their day and the match finished 1-0 to Berwick.

There is no doubt that a defeat at home to the team which is bottom of the league is a bad result even taking into consideration the selection problems which have befallen Moore. He does not have a big squad and has to juggle the talent available to try and come up with a winning formula. Again, certain players are not producing the goods and they will have to step up their performances next week when high flying Stranraer visit Forthbank. It is perhaps too much to expect that all the fans will get behind the team but with McNally and Devine available next week, the opportunity is there to get a good result as we have a good record against Stranraer recently.