MATCH REPORT
Date : 31st July 2021
Opposition : Arniston Rangers
Venue : Away
Scorers : Craig Bell
Booked : Andy Wilson
Sent Off : None
TRFC Man of the Match : Rhys Dixon
Attendance : 40
Match Sponsor : None
Ball Sponsor : None
Team Lineup :
Mark Walters
Jay Baverstock
Khasim Mdlasini
Rhys Dixon
Craig Heath
Ciaran Hatsell
Craig Colquhoun
Drew Cummings
Craig Bell
Jack Forster
Regan Graham
Subs :
Adam Mutch
Joao Vieira on for Ciaran Hatsell 50 mins
Jamie Heath on for Jay Baverstock 65 mins
Adam Mutch on for Craig Bell 65 mins
Andy Wilson on for Jack Forster 70 mins
Jake Gibson
Programme Cover :
None, away game.
Match Report :
Both sides began this match in the Gorebridge drizzle seeking their first win of the season. It looked promising for the visitors early on, sure footed in their passing game. It led to Jay Baverstock’s shot being deflected for a corner and a couple of minutes later, James McQueen tipped a ball from Regan Graham over his bar as Tweedmouth’s captain attempted to complete a rehearsed one:two with Craig Colquhoun with the opening goal.
Instead, against the general direction of play, the hosts stunned the Berwick boys with a terrific 12th minute goal from the right by Gary Shearer, the ball nestling in the far side of the net. Parity was restored just two minutes later. Graham crossed, Craig Bell scoring at the second attempt after his first bounced back off the keeper, the referee ignoring home claims that the Tweedmouth man’s hand had been involved.
Jordan Easton missed a good chance for Arniston which did no harm to Tweedmouth’s confidence. Khasim Mdlasini shook the side netting after they again had the home defence in trouble before they were hit by a double whammy inside the last five minutes of the half. Robbie King’s ball into the box from 20 yards in from the left touchline looked speculative at best but William Linton was left unmarked and scored from directly in front of goal.
Tweedmouth barely had time to take breath when Easton hit the bar with ferocity. Linton returned the ball in the same direction but a little lower and into the goal.
It was now Arniston’s turn to begin a half with confidence and they won a couple of early corners before the visitors settled and were unlucky when Graham was just wide after Bell gave the final pass in a long, well worked move. It was also Graham’s misfortune to see McQueen pull off a spectacular airborne save from his free kick awarded when Bell was pulled down a yard outside the penalty area.
Next to the far post, Colquhoun headed down Adam Mutch’s perfectly executed cross but no one was running in to finish off.
Having utilised all their substitution opportunities, the Old Shielfield team had to play the final ten minutes with ten men, centre back Craig Heath departing after a couple of knocks. That Arniston failed to cash in was in large part down to the defensive toil of Joao Vieira and Rhys Dixon plus keeper Mark Walters’ spontaneous punch to the ball which stopped Linton claiming a true hat trick of three in a row.
Pictures :