Bollan hails Loons after narrow win at Berwick

Milne and Peters on the mark as Forfar maintain their 100% start

Forfar Athletic boss Garry Bollan praised his players after they pulled off a hardfought win at Berwick.

A fantastic strike from Lewis Milne and a fortuitous second from Josh Peters helped the Loons maintain their 100% start to the League Two campaign.

Former Livingston and Airdrie manager Bollan said: “We played some good football and times and handled the challenge that Berwick presented well enough.

“We created quite a few chances, especially in the first half, and Jim Lister missed a one on one in the second half which he would normally score.

“That’s nine points out of nine which is very pleasing. We’re winning football matches and I’m particularly pleased this one comes on the back of a midweek trip to Aberdeen.

“It’s a credit to the players for the effort and commitment they’ve shown.”

Although Berwick fought hard and pulled one back thanks to the everdangerous Jordyn Sheerin it proved to be a consolation.

Forfar looked the more dangerous early on, especially on the counter attack.

A misplaced header put Lister through on seven minutes and he should perhaps have done better before being squeezed out.

However, the visitors didn’t have long to wait before getting the breakthrough when Milne found himself in space on the left edge of the box. He cut inside and curled a beautiful right-footed shot into the top corner of the net giving Kevin Walker no chance.

Berwick were rattled and nearly went further behind three minutes later when Peters found himself in loads of room but dithered and his shot was blocked.

The Loons continued to cause problems on the break with Peters again going close on 22 minutes.

Forfar wasted a great chance to double their lead on 34 minutes when Lister rounded the keeper and pulled it back only for Brian Martin to clear the goalbound effort.

Berwick fell two behind in bizarre circumstances on 55 minutes when a seemingly innocuous cross found its way to Peters via Lee Hamilton and he prodded it into the net.

After a period of pressure from the hosts, Forfar almost grabbed a third on the counter attack after 75 minutes. Lister went through with only the keeper to beat but Walker stood firm to block his effort.

Berwick’s Michael McKenna saw red on 87 minutes for a lunging tackle on David Cox which produced a second yellow.”

SNS. Lewis Milne, left and Josh Peters were on the mark for Forfar.