Berwick v Cupar Hearts Match Report
Berwick Rangers advanced into the next round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup after a pulsating 4-2 win over Cupar Heartsin their Round 1 clash.
Jonny Devers scored twice for the Gers, with the other goals scored by Arran Laidlaw and Jamie Watson. Cupar Hearts took the lead through Scott Napier and Liam Kelly scored their other. The visitors also had ex-Berwick player Lewis Baker sent off.
Cupar Hearts piled the early pressure on Berwick straight from the kick off. The visitors sent many players forward as a long ball fell to Iain Boylan on the right. Boylan showed quick feet to find space for a shot that was palmed away by Calum Antell. However, the rebound fell to Kyle Baker at the back post who slotted the ball into the net to give Cupar the lead with just over a minute on the clock.
Berwick remained calm and seemingly fought fire with fire as Thomas Scobbie sent countless players on the attack. Some quick passes found Grant Nelson in space on the edge of the box but his shot at a tight angle flew over the bar.
On the twenty-minute mark and Cupar were awarded an indirect free-kick on the edge of the box. Ex-Berwick player Kyle Baker stepped up to the layoff, but his shot was straight at Antell as Berwick got away with the dangerous set–piece.
Minutes later and the Dream Team found the equaliser. Alan Cook’s long ball found Jamie McCormack on the right-hand side. He played a delicate through ball to Devers who managed to pick out Arran Laidlaw in the six-yard box and tapped home at the near post.
The Gers began to dominate possession and the chances since the equaliser. Cupar struggled to deal with the agility of Devers as he found space 25 yards out in midfield before his shot that flew not far wide.
Kane O’Connor was having a great outing too as he dictated the pace of the game in the centre of the park. O’Connor picked out McCormack whose cross was met by Jamie Watson, but his effort was blocked and cleared.
The second half started in similar fashion as the Dream Team looked to complete the turnaround. All of Berwick’s good play came down the right with the strong connection between McCormack and Devers. The cross from Devers was pounced upon by McCormack in acres of space in the Cupar box. However the Berwick skipper could only place the ball into the gloves of Jamie Cowan to waste a great chance.
Berwick continued to dominate and once again it was Devers pulling the strings. The Gers winger showed his pace to get down the right before whipping in an excellent delivery into the middle. The cross was gathered by Watson before he struck the ball into the bottom right corner to give Berwick a well–deserved lead.
The visitors looked to respond as they brought on the other former ex-Gers man, Kyle’s brother Lewis Baker was subbed on with an hour played.
No sooner than coming on Lewis Baker was back off the pitch. After being denied a foul he showed his anger at the referee, prompting a straight red card. A return to Shielfield Park to forget as Baker is sent off under two minutes from being subbed on.
The Dream Team looked to put the game to bed with the player advantage. Berwick had several efforts cleared off the line as Cupar just about held on. With just under ten minutes to play Devers saw his thunderous strike tipped onto the bar brilliantly by Cowan to keep the visitors in it.
Seven minutes from time and Berwick were left to rue their missed chances. A corner for Cupar Hearts was cleared but only straight to Liam Kelly on the edge of the box. His first-time volley was struck superbly, and the ball squirmed under Antell and into the goal to cast wild celebrations from the away supporters.
Cupar parked their bus in front of the goal as they looked to force extra-time. Cook went on another of his forward runs from defence before his 30-yard shot was parried out by Cowan straight to Devers. He slotted home the rebound to put Berwick back in front after 87 minutes, a much-deserved goal for Devers.
The visitors were forced to attack once again, and this created space for the Dream Team to exploit. Substitute Mani Ashraf drove forward down the right before his cutback was met by Devers who calmly slotted home to send Berwick into the next round.
Berwick sealed an entertaining 4-2 win to advance to the next stage. The Gers are back in action on Tuesday night as they welcome Bo’ness United to Shielfield Park in the Lowland League.
Ben Langley
