Spectacular Development League action as Berwick’s Craig Dargo jumps Raith keeper McGurn ( photo courtesy of Alan Bell )

BERWICK RANGERS 2 RAITH ROVERS 2 ( Tuesday, Oct. 21st, 2014 ): Berwick manager Colin Cameron, who played the whole match, commented that he particularly enjoyed his involvement in the opening 45 minutes but expressed frustration that, like the trend with the first team, Rangers’ development side was unable to hold on to nor extend its half time lead.

There was little doubt that Berwick deserved to turn round 2-1 up. Two early chances featured Craig Dargo. Instead of having a shot at goal, he flicked on Scott Maxwell’s pass across the box to a non-existent player to his right. Moments later, when he did take aim after receiving a super pass from Matthieu Judor, he fired straight into the arms of keeper David McGurn.

Thirteen minutes elapsed before Rovers’ first serious attack materialised but four minutes later, they fell behind. This time Dargo came good. Despite the attention of three defenders and a foul by one of them, he propelled the ball forward to the waiting Cameron to confidently open the scoring. The lead was shortlived as when Raith broke downfield following a Berwick corner, John Court finished off with a perfectly measured shot into the corner of the home net.

A little after half an hour, Berwick were back in front. Maxwell was bundled over inside the box and Dargo gave McGurn no chance with the penalty. Further misfortune befell the visitors before the break. Kieran Campbell was stretchered off with a leg injury and taken to hospital in Edinburgh.

Maxwell, whose frequent combining with Gregor Watson had provided Berwick with a potent attacking force on the left, did not reappear for the second half because of hamstring trouble. Yet, Rangers again started brightly. A lovely turn and pass from Dargo set up Euan Bauld whose low shot almost scraped the side of the post–unfortunately, the wrong side.

Judor continued to be a bundle of energy but his colleagues were caught out when he conceded a 68th minute free kick in the middle of the park. Raith swept forward with Court again having the last word, scoring unchallenged almost on the line. Callum Robertson then struck the bar as the Kirkcaldy boys upped the ante. They also hit the post and home keeper Nils Bleakley had to punch away another effort as the Fifers finished strongly to keep their unbeaten Development League record intact.

Berwick Rangers: Bleakley–T, Dunn ( Khouiel 68 ), Watson, Cameron, Monin, Fairbairn ( capt. ), Bauld, Willis, Dargo ( Easton 75 ), Judor, Maxwell ( Sutherland 46 )

T=Trialist