Penalties win

Albion Rovers 1-1 Berwick Rangers. Berwick win 4-3 on pens

I thought Chris Flockhart had a terrific game in goal for Berwick tonight, making a string of top-class saves to keep Albion out. In contrast the Rovers keeper was dreadful and Berwick had some good chances because of that but couldn't put them away. He was subbed at half-time.

Coughlin was clearly keen to give the rest of the squad an outing in this competition and made wholesale changes from the Raith starting XI - with only Wood and Bolo retaining their places - and to be honest they made hard work of it, especially the midfield.

With Rovers creating at the other end, Berwick did eventually get the breakthrough though - Swanson, who'd been excellent for Berwick, got Berwick's goal. He chased a long ball, went one on one with the keeper before rounding him to score. Rovers though got the goal they'd deserved all night in the 90th minute - Berwick again conceding late on in the cup.

So, into extra time and again Flockhart kept Albion out to set up penalties. Flockhart saved one, but Diack missed his to even things up again. Then Albion's fourth penalty taker hit his effort over the bar, Haynes put his away and when finally it was Gary Wood's turn to take Berwick's 5th he hammered it home to win the tie.

Do like the red strip.

above: Bolo rises to head clear

above: Wood chases

above: Swanson - quality performance

above: Flockhart - quality saves

CIS draw

Following on from Tuesday night's extra-time success, Berwick have been handed a home draw against First Division Hamilton. The game will take place on Tuesday August 28th at Shielfield with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Accies overcame the third division Shire 2-1 in their first round game.

Opening day draw

Action from the opening day 1-1 draw with Cowdenbeath.

above: Third Division Champions Flag. The flag is very near to the main stand and seems protected by it - it was quite windy yesterday and this was about as near to unfurling as it got.

above: Robbie Horn, Michael Bolochoweckyj and Gary Wood up in attack.

above: Gary Greenhill celebrates scoring Berwick's goal

above: Scott Gemmill gets on as a sub and starts to liven things up. Could easily
have scored on his debut late on.

above: Gary Wood loses out to the Cowden defender

above: Ian Little tussles for possession

The waiting is nearly over

So, just hours to go until the start of the new campaign. There can't be anyone out there who is seriously expecting a campaign as successful as last year - this will be tough given the make up of the division but we do have the talent to stay up and that must be the aim.

I expect two divisions within this league with Ross County, Airdrie and Raith Rovers surely the teams expected to be challenging for promotion, while Ayr and Brechin are now well established at this level. It's easy to look at the signings that other sides have made and worry that we lack some bigger names or foreign talent of other teams. However, remember how well we played last year and with much of the squad intact and some division two experience Coughlin will be quietly confident. A good start on Saturday against Cowdenbeath is important, with games against Raith and Airdrie to come through August we don't want to be propping up the division after 4 or 5 games because it's difficult to catch-up.

Although I wasn't at any of them, a series of defeats in pre-season isn't too concerning. Reading reports of each game would suggest we got a good work out against good sides and Haynes aside the players got a chance to build up match fitness. The Sunderland result especially seemed to suggest real promise.

Can't wait. Good luck to John Coughlin and the players.

For what it's worth, here is my starting XI.

O'Connor
Manson, Horn, Smith, McGroaty
McLeish, G Greenhill, Fraser, McMullan
Wood, Gemmill

Strikers

Berwick have a formidable line up in attack this season with three proven strikers and a new signing with a terrific reputation for scoring goals.

Gary Wood originally joined Berwick in 2000 and spent three and half seasons at the club scoring nearly 50 goals before a big money move to Queen of South. He wasn't nearly as prolific at Palmerston playing division one football but they tended to use him at the back where he is equally comfortable. He returned to Berwick last season and got straight back on with the job of scoring goals. One black mark on his career has been his discipline which tends to see him sitting matches out through suspension most seasons. That aside though I'd have Gary in my team every week and I suspect Coughlin will do the same. Turns 31 in September.

Kevin Haynes (right) took Berwick by storm following his move from Dunbar United. A big strong centre forward he unsettles defenders and 'puts himself about' in the box but he's equally at home striking from the edge of the 18 yard box. Seems to have built up a bit of a reputation with referees which saw him sent off on three occasions last season and along with 20 yellow cards in two years it is a problem he can't deny. On the positive side he has hit over 20 goals in two seasons which is a decent return and the opposition even at this level will find Kevin Haynes a handful.

Iain Diack (left) joined Berwick at the perfect moment last winter. Gary Wood sat most of January out through suspension and Diack signed and went straight into the first team. He scored on his debut against East Stirling - a game in which Haynes was sent off putting him out for all of February. Suddenly the promotion challenge rested with new-boy Diack who went on to get seven for us including that vital goal against Arbroath to win the title. Massively successful with Albion Rovers with Jordan Smith before leaving under a cloud for Arbroath. Then snapped up by Morton but he barely featured for them before going on to play for Shire (again with Smith), Arbroath, Stenhousemuir then joining Smith again at Berwick. Not everyone's favourite but seemed to rise to the challenge at Berwick but may need to wait for the suspensions to kick in to get his chance this year.

John Coughlin returned to his former club St. Mirren to make the exciting signing of 20 year old Scott Gemmill. Four years ago he came on as a sub. for the Paisley side to become the youngest player to play for them at 16 years and 60 days. A pal of mine who follows the Buddies home and away described him as " full of enthusiasm and running" and against Hibs last season he "caused them some problems". Having scored for fun for St. Mirren's reserves he'll feel he's ready for regular first team action and hopefully he'll be a success at Berwick as we embark on our second division campaign. We certainly hope so.

Blyth pics

You might like to take a look at these pics from the Blyth Spartans' game.