MATCH REPORT
Date : 15th July 2023
Opposition : West Calder United
Venue : Away
Scorers : Michael Robinson 2
Booked : None
Sent Off : None
Attendance : 24
Referee : Ken Boyd
Team Lineup :
Danny Fletcher
Brad Smith
Joao Vieira
Evan Smith
Rhys Dixon
Jack Forster
Ciaran Hatsell
Jack Cummings
Rhys Bloomfield
Michael Robinson
Sam Straughan
Subs :
Euan Robertson on for Danny Fletcher 70 mins
Leighton Robertson on for Michael Robinson 80 mins
Khaz Mdlasini on for Sam Straughan 35 mins
Jay Atkinson on for Jack Forster 60 mins
Trialist on for Jack Cummings 60 mins
Match Report :
After victories over the Uniteds of Cramlington and Chirnside, as expected, the West Calder version proved to be tougher opponents for Tweedmouth in this pre-season fixture on an artificial pitch at Winchburgh Academy in West Lothian.
Yet, Rangers made the best possible start. Jack Cummings sent Rhys Bloomfield towards the right corner before running on to join the throng inside the box where it was Michael Robinson who knocked in Bloomfield’s low ball along the bye line to give them a 1st minute lead.
A series of free kicks produced nothing for the hosts until, in the 22nd minute, Tweedmouth keeper Danny Fletcher handled the ball outside his area. Steven Jackson drilled the free kick into the net from a few inches beyond the 18 yard line.
There were some big men in West Calder’s line up but it was one of their smaller players, David Swan, who laid on their next goal. Speeding down the right on a quick counter attack, he crossed for Andrew Jackson’s outstretched leg to connect with the ball for United’s second goal.
The same player made it 3-1, the second home man to get a touch of a 33rd minute ball from a corner.
Tweedmouth stayed in the frame with another Robinson goal five minutes from half time. Jack Forster sent him through a gaping hole in the Calder defence, the no.9 beating off the challenge of goalie Dean Shaw.
Fletcher saved well to stop Jason Gregory adding to United’s first half tally and it was Tweedmouth who came close to starting the second period with a goal. Ciaran Hatsell and Cummings gave Robinson the opportunity to lob the ball towards goal but he was denied a hat trick when it came off the bar.
Tweedmouth rarely threatened again. Mark Wilkins made it 4-2 on 57 minutes. Fletcher made two good saves inside two minutes whilst Andrew Jackson fired the ball over the top after its bounce sent it his way.
Increasingly, West Calder were able to keep the ball alive as the Berwick team struggled to make tackles count and they finished with five goals inside the final 16 minutes.
Alistair Morgan slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net for the first of the five. After the ball came to him off a Tweedmouth man, Steven Jackson returned it in style, a terrific spinning shot which made it 6-2. Either side of a successful penalty taken by Andrew Jackson, Scott Hay grabbed a double; the first after Rangers conceded possession, the other seconds from full time.