Arbroath lined up with Inglis, McMullen, Donaldson, Rennie, McLeod, Bishop, Cusick, MacDonald , McLean, Henslee, Swankie.
Sadly I missed the first 20-25 minutes due to the Kincardine Bridge being packed with people trying to avoid delays on the Forth Road Bridge! From what i've heard though I didn't miss much! Infact, the only action I saw in the first half was just 5 minutes from the interval. Gavin Swankie recieved a ball over the top and took on the Berwick right back, then flicked the ball over his head to set himself up perfectly for a volley at goal from around 10 yards out. Sadly though, it was to close to the keeper, who tipped it round the post for a Lichtie corner. That was about all the action the first half had!!
The 2nd half saw 1 substitution from Arbroath with John Cusick coming off, being replaced in midfield by Alan Brazil. The Lichties started the 2nd half well with alot of posession, and Gavin Swankie seeing alot of the ball down the right wing, but still no chances were being created.
On around 55 minutes though the first major event happened in the game. After being taken down from behind, Duncan McLean promptly got up and had a swing of his boot towards the Berwick player who took him down. Luckily for Duncan and the Arbroath fans, he was only booked when a sending off could have easily been ordered.
Five minutes later Arbroath had their first chance and scored. Good play by Gavin Swankie down the right hand side saw him win a corner. He took the corner himself and picked out Greg Henslee at the back post, who then hit a great volley through a crowd of players and into the far corner of the net.
Arbroath then started to play more like the team they can be and started passing the ball about well between them. On 75 minutes it was no surprise when Arbroath increased their lead through Duncan McLean. A Swankie cross to the near post saw Duncan control the ball well and finish under O'Connor's body to make it 2-0.
From here on it was all Arbroath. Duncan McLean had a great chance to finish the game off 5 minutes from the end when he was played through by Kevin McMullen, but he was closed down quickly and was only able to get a weak shot on target, which was easily saved by O'Connor.
A minute from the end though, McLean did finish Berwick off. Gavin Swankie got free on the right hand side yet again and put a great pass through to Duncan McLean who finished comfortably.
All round a great performance from Arbroath against a very poor Berwick side. Hopefully it will be more of the same next week!