Published Date:
22 July 2009
BERWICK Rangers kick off their competitive season this Saturday (July 25) with an away match against Stranraer in the Alba Challenge Cup.
They have warmed up for the start of the new season with a series of friendlies, the latest of which was against a Hibs XI at a wet Shielfield on Saturday.
Rangers won the game 4-2. They fielded a number of trialists, but still found themselves 3-0 up at the break with goals from one of the trialists after ten minutes, David Greenhill after 16 and Chris McMenamin after 25.
They might have had more but failed to convert a number of chances created.
Stuart Callaghan added a fourth from the penalty spot after 57 minutes, before the Hibs' youngsters pulled two goals back near the end through Kurtis Byrne after 69 and 88 minutes.
Prior to that Berwick had taken on Stenhousemuir at Ochilview, where they went down 3-0, and Leith Athletic at the Edinburgh Academy Sports Ground last Tuesday, where they won 4-0.
In that game Rangers led 1-0 at the break. They scored two quick goals at the start of the second half, one of which came from new signing Paul Currie, and new striker Alan Brazil bagged the fourth to complete the victory.
Manager Jimmy Crease, who was keen to add to his squad with only 12 signed players a week ago, has been busy attracting new faces to Shielfield and this week he confirmed the addition of another five arrivals, with possibly another three to come.
Goalkeeper Mark Peat joins from East Stirling. The former Montrose and Arbroath stopper, who is 27, played in all the pre-season friendlies and was offered a contract almost immediately. He finally put pen to paper after Saturday's game against Hibs.
"Mark is a very experienced keeper," said Crease, "and some people thought he was the best keeper in the Third Division last season. We are delighted he has signed for us."
Also coming in is 19 year-old midfielder Oliver Russell, who previously spent seven years as part of the Hibernian youth set-up.
Last season Russell was an ever-present in the Easter Road youth side which completed a league and cup double by beating Glasgow Rangers 2-1 after extra-time in the final at Hampden.
He has been training full-time with Morton recently, but when he wasn't offered a deal by the Greenock club Rangers moved quickly to secure his services.
Unfortunately, Russell was forced to miss the game against his former team-mates on Saturday because he has been diagnosed with 'swine flu' although manager Crease is optimistic he will be given the all clear for this weekend.
"Oliver is a good young player and he comes highly-rated," said Crease. "He should fit in well."
Graham Guy, who was coming into form towards the end of last season before he was injured, has also been confirmed by Crease as a returnee, as has Andy McLean, who spent most of last season on loan to Coldstream.
"Graham has been back training with us. He has built up his fitness again and has been offered a contract," said Crease, "as has Andy, who has impressed me in the games he has played so far."
Stevie Ellison has also been named as replacement keeper - goalkeeping coach.
Crease said: "Stevie has been out of the game for a couple of seasons, but we have signed him as back-up. Hopefully, he won't have to play, but it will give us time to look for someone else."
Berwick have also agreed terms with former player Paul McMullen, who has been training with Rangers in recent weeks, but due to his registration being held by his current Junior club - it expires on July 31 - he cannot be confirmed as a signing as of yet, and will therefore be ineligible for the trip to Stair Park this weekend.
And Crease said that he hopes to have two other new signings confirmed before this weekend's trip to Stranraer, including the trialist striker who had an impressive run-out against Hibs, scoring the opening goal.
* ON Tuesday (July 28) Berwick will take on Blyth Spartans at Shielfield in another pre-season friendly. The game, which kicks off at 7.45pm, is for the Northumberland County Council Unification Cup.
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Last Updated:
22 July 2009 1:58 PM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Berwickshire