Berwick Rangers midfielder Lee Currie missed out on the PFA Scotland League 2 Player of the Year Award last weekend and he is determined that his club side do not miss out on a Play-Off place this weekend.
The Borderers sit in fifth place three points behind Stirling Albion and they are hoping to defeat Champions Peterhead and come off the field to learn that goal difference has taken them through as the Forthbank men have lost to Clyde.
Currie said: “It was a good day at Queen’s Park last Saturday as we got the win that kept us in things. We were disappointing in the first half as we never got the ball down and passed it. We had a few chances and never took them and found ourselves a goal down at half time.”
“In the second half we came out fighting as the Manager Colin Cameron and his assistant Robbie Horn got us fired up for the game. They gave us a bit of a hairdryer job in the dressing room and we maybe needed the kick up the backside they went along with it.
“We knew how important a game it was and we were better in the second half. We dominated it and got the goals at good times to win 3-1. We were out of the Play-Offs at half-time but we showed good spirit to get back into them.”
It was Currie who helped drag his side into the promotion race when a free kick was awarded to Berwick 11 minutes after the break wide on the right wing. Dead ball expert Currie lined up as if he was going to cross into the box before catching out Queen’s goalkeeper Blair Lochhead at his near post when he went for goal with a low curling effort.
Currie said: “When I put the ball down I knew I was going to shoot. The goalkeeper did me a favour with his positioning and I was just able to get the ball under him. I was certainly glad to take the free kick and score as that got us back in the game at the right time.”
Michael Dunlop and Andy Russell added further goals with Currie saying: “We kicked on and that is four wins against Queen’s Park this season with 13 goals against them. They are a good side who try to pass the ball but we have got the better of them. We had 4-0 wins home and away as well as a 1-0 and then the 3-1 last weekend.”
A curious backdrop to last weekend’s second half turnaround was that the Borderers knew that promotion Play-Off rivals Stirling Albion were halfway to ending Champions Peterhead’s unbeaten home run and were set to clinch their Play-Off place.
Currie said: “We knew when we went out for the second half that Stirling were winning 2-0 at Balmoor as one of our substitutes Dean Hoskins had heard it when he warmed up on the pitch at half time. We had to accept that whatever was happening up there was happening.”
“We had to go out and win the three points or it was all over anyway but we are still in with a shout.”
How strong a shout that is will be seen this Saturday with the 24 year old saying: “We now need to take care of ourselves this Saturday against Peterhead. We have won four of our last five games to get back into the chase and we have to take that up to five out of six against the league winners. We are on a roll and confidence is high so it is a game we can look forward to.”
The Black and Gold Dream team have already experienced getting the better of the Blue Toon this season with Currie saying: “We beat Peterhead in the Scottish Cup down at our place 2-1 so we have a chance but it will not be easy. I am not sure if they rested players against Stirling but they will be disappointed at losing their home record on the day they were presented with the trophy.”
A Currie goal could be vital with the midfielder saying: “I have scored 17 goals this season but it is not about me it is about the team. It is a team effort and we just need to keep that going until the season ends.”
“I’ve not counted how many of the goals have come from set pieces but there have been a few. I have been taking the penalties as well and this is my best season so far for goalscoring. I only scored 8 or 9 last year so it is great to get so many and it is a real boost to my confidence.”
“I usually get a weekly Award from the Scotsman Newspaper for my free kicks but I do not think too much about them. I just take them as they come. I don’t mind if they are penalties or free kicks as long as they go into the back of the net.”
Whilst it is an all in effort, Currie’s form has been recognised in League 2 as he explained: “I was selected for the PFA Team and was up for the PFA Player of the Year. It means a lot to be chosen by your fellow players as it is great achievement to think they think highly of you in comparison to all the other players they play against.”
“There were 4 of us up for it and being nominated was terrific and I cannot really complain too much about losing to Rory McAllister.”
His form has of course prompted talk of a move and as for the future Currie said: “I will wait and see what happens. There has been a bit of interest from a few clubs recently according to my agent and I was told there were a few people watching me against Queen’s Park.”
“I was part of the Hibs team that won the double in 2009 and I enjoyed being a full time player. I would love to get back to that level. Training every day and being a full timer would be ‘Living the Dream’. “
“That is where I want to end up but I am enjoying Berwick. I could not have asked for more from the club. It is a great club with a great Chairman and Board members. It would be good to help them to promotion.”
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