Wednesday, April 25th, 2018
SPFL Development League East
BERWICK RANGERS 5 COWDENBEATH 0
Berwick Rangers Under 20s wrapped up the 2017-18 Development League East programme with a a third victory over Cowdenbeath Under 20s, this the only one on home soil. It was the visitors’ second match on successive nights having represented the Central Park club in the Fife Cup Final against East of Scotland League Burntisland Shipyard the previous evening.
Berwick were 3-0 up at half time. Grant Rose held on to a good crossfield ball long enough for a trialist number 7 to run through to take his pass and complete the job for a 15th minute opener. Stuart Briggs scored the second on the half hour after latching on to a poor back pass intended for keeper Ben Swinton. Four minutes later, Gary Windram sent Rose between two defenders and on his way to scoring number three.
Harris Kay looked the most likely player to score for Cowdenbeath. The wind helped take his first attempt off course. The other two came with his side already three goals behind. One, from beyond the ‘D’, went just over the bar. The other forced home keeper MacAulay Jarrett to stretch backwards in order to fist the ball over the bar for a corner.
Despite the artistry of Sean McManus, in the second half Cowden threatened even less with home captain Jamie Chapman giving an assured performance in the less familiar role of centre back. Before he began the move which led to the fourth goal, Rose hit the post after homing in on a weak goal kick meant for Josh McConville and from the left, both a trialist no. 8 and Briggs sent shots wide.
Chapman’s 76th minute punt to Rose was spot on and he again held off defenders to slip the ball on to Kieran Jack to finish. D.Trialist ( 8 ) hit the post after robbing McConville, Jack reacting quickly to seize the second chance. These late goals were enough to turn the team’s goal difference to zero in the final table in which Berwick finish fifth out out of seven teams. Raith Rovers are again the champions.
Berwick Rangers: Jarrett ( Allan 46 ), A.Trialist, Aitchison, Smith ( Murray 60 ), Chapman, B.Trialist, C.Trialist ( Heath 75 ), D.Trialist, Rose, Briggs ( Jack 60 ), Windram
