Berwick beaten by Barrowman
Published 25 Jul 2012 09:30
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Berwick Rangers 1 Dunfermline 2
A CROSS-BORDER raid yielded Pars first win of the pre-season as Jim Jefferies men clicked into gear at Shielfield Park.
The long trip to England proved worthwhile for the boss as he saw his men score twice and create a bundle of chances.
Kevin Kyle is now training with St Johnstone but it was still a testing time for the Pars with two mystery trialists, believed to be from France and Italy, late additions to the fray.
Jefferies gave Ian Murray another run-out at centre back but he was at fault for Berwick's goal after sclaffing a clearance in three minutes.
The home team (some Pars wags asked if they were still the wee Rangers?) capitalised with Fraser McLaren crossing for ex-Cowden striker John Ferguson to net.
Ryan Wallace continues to look impressive, adding pace and energy up front and almost delivering an equaliser with a teasing ball across the face of goal.
Alex Whittle, still listed as a trialist as his clearance has yet to come through, then teed up Andy Kirk but the striker ballooned over the bar from five yards.
The Northern Ireland hitman hauled Pars level in 20 minutes when his header was handled on the line by Devon Jacobs and he duly converted the resulting penalty.
Pars Slovakian trialist keeper did well to reach a deflected Neil Janczyk effort while Wallace was denied by the keeper's outstretched leg at the other end.
Berwick caused some uncertain moments in the Pars defence and Andy Geggan was forced to clear an Andy McLean header off the line.
Kirk had the chance to put Pars in front in 50 minutes when he was bundled over in the box chasing the rebound from Wallace's shot.
But his spot kick was well saved, Youssel Bajaoui turning it onto the post, and it continued to be a trying night for Kirk.
Jefferies reckoned the striker should have hit four goals and he could have done better when Geggan picked him out at the back post, but again the ball ended up over the bar.
Andy Barrowman replaced Kirk just before the hour while fellow sub Paul Burns thumped an effort just wide in 70 minutes.
The secret 'continental' pair climbed off the bench for Pars with 15 minutes left and helped turn the match.
Burns' through ball was flicked on and Barrowman finished off the move with a clinical finish in 83 minutes.
Berwick still looked lively, McLaren hitting the post late on, but it was Jefferies who was smiling after a win and decent showing from his makeshift squad.
The questions now are who does he want to keep and can Pars afford them?
Pars
Trialist, Geggan, Dowie, Trialist, Trialist, McMillan (Burns 68), Trialist (Kane 58), Falkingham (Trialist 74), Trialist (Cardle 58), Kirk (Barrowman 58), Wallace (Trialist 74).
Subs not used - Thomson, Willis, Goodfellow.
Goals - Kirk pen (20), Barrowman (83).
Berwick Rangers
Bejaoui (Sandison 85), Jacobs, Hoskins (Miller 65), McLean, Brydon, Geilty, McLaren, Janczyk, Ferguson (Stevenson 69), Lavery (Trialist 65), McDonald (Currie 46).
Sub not used - Addison.
Goal - Ferguson (3).
Referee George Salmond.
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