Report: Berwick Rangers u20’s 1-2 Raith Rovers u20’s – SPFL Development League East

Berwick were due to stage this home match at Tranent the following night but at Raith’s request, agreed not only to bring it forward but to visit Stark’s Park for the third time this season for Development League action, the fixture surviving a pitch inspection at the Kirkcaldy ground.

Berwick started positively and had chances on target inside the opening ten minutes from Daniel Watt, Barry Hogg and Regan Graham. Rovers went ahead in the 25th minute with a strong run down the left and composed finish from Louis Aper.

Rangers equalised with the home defence at a standstill waiting for the referee to blow his whistle, the linesman having indicated that Watt was offside on a receipt of a through ball. However, they were undone when Charlie Denton ran through from an onside position, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into an empty net.

The second half was fairly even with some chances at both ends. Berwick’s best came to Watt when a defensive error saw the ball falling to him on the edge of the box. With only the goalie to beat, the striker was frustrated by a bobble, resulting in his getting a poor touch to the ball and allowing time for the keeper to get back to smother it.

Aper was behind Raith’s 73rd minute winner, creating space to drill a low ball across goal with one of the home subs stabbing it home.

Berwick Rangers: Walters (S.Allan*), McDonald, Anderson, Hogg, McConnell, Forrest, Denton (Kinnaird*), Ingram, Watt, R.Graham (Herriot), Pattenden

* Denotes Trialist