Notman returns

Good to see Steve Notman back in the starting XI today. The midfielder, on loan from Hibs, was injured in a cup match against Hamilton back in August and played 90 minutes today. Ironically he returned to action on another artificial surface but he, along with his team mates, fared much better on this one.

Festive stuffing

Berwick moved in to second place today after a 3-2 victory over a Stenny side containing a number of ex-Berwickers.

A fantastic travelling support of around 100 cheered on the mighty Berwick from the off and were quickly celebrating when a delightful Thomson corner was headed home by Stuart Fraser. Stenny got back level through Hutchison before Cowan had a nightmare at the back to let Thomo in for no. 2. Then the keeper took his turn and gifted Berwick a third through a long range effort from Gary Greenhill which should have been easily saved.

Stenny hit back and really made a fist of getting back level and gave themselves 35 minutes to do it when Fagen made it 3-2. We held out, just, with the post and the bar coming to our rescue and terrific running from Robbie Manson, Thomson and David Greenhill but all in all a fantastic afternoon of entertaining football - and win number seven in a row.

above: Kevin Haynes and Ian Thomson celebrate Berwick's second

above: captain Grant McNicoll celebrates Berwick's third with scorer Gary Greenhill


above: Haynes strides past David Murie and Mark Cowan

False Start

Shire game off again. New date is 19th December, when of course the weather will have improved dramatically. Anyone know why the rule that used to exist that games weren't rearranged during Dec, Jan & Feb is not coming into play here? Berwick keen to get it won and 3 points in the bag?

Try again

Apparently the SFL believe the rain will stay away from Firs Park long enough to see the mighty, all conquering Berwick Rangers take on The Shire at their home boating lake on Tuesday night. Maybe.

After Saturday's cup win we'll now take on an SPL side... at home... oh yes... SKY Cameras? Fireworks when the teams run out? err. I doubt it. It's Falkirk. However, they have an exciting Irish U21 international lad from Arsenal playing for them at the moment (Anthony Stokes) who must be worth watching if his loan deal stretches to Jan 6th.

Fate

What did I say that for? Tuesday's game is off. That'll be the rain.

Midweek at the Shire

Assuming this seemingly endless rain doesn't affect the game, I should be back watching Berwick on Tuesday night. Since the defeat at Dumbarton we've won all three of our 'E' games with no shortage of goals. The East Fife victories were particularly sweet I bet. Good to see Wood and Haynes both scoring. In recent seasons we've either hardly been awarded any penalties or when we did get them we missed them so good to have a reliable penalty taker in Haynes on hand.

I hope it doesn't tempt fate to mention that East Stirlingshire have only one win since the beginning of October and that we'll go back into second place with a win on Tuesday.

I read at the weekend that some players had been put out on loan to get some match fitness which seems very sensible. The other news though that Danny Swanson won't play this season is a blow. When he did get a chance last season he looked a real talent and I was looking forward to seeing him in action of Coughlin's team this season.