Cowdenbeath lose to Berwick Rangers in opening Lowland game

Cowdenbeath lost to Berwick Rangers, having two goals disallowed <i>(Image: David Wardle)</i>
Cowdenbeath lost to Berwick Rangers, having two goals disallowed (Image: David Wardle)
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Berwick Rangers 2 - 0 Cowdenbeath

The Blue Brazil had two goals disallowed and a penalty claim turned down in their opening Lowland League match of the season.

The opening game attracted a crowd of 545 to Shielfield Park.

Cowdenbeath had a difficult start to their Lowland League campaign on Saturday afternoon as they lost 2-0 to Berwick Rangers.

The Blue Brazil had two goals ruled offside and a penalty claim turned down as a result of a foul on Darren Downie early in the second half.

The Borderers had the first chance of the afternoon with four minutes gone when Kyle Sommers fired in a 25-yard shot which was held by Owen Hayward.

In the 15th minute, Sam Newman had an opportunity to break the deadlock after Jonny Devers and Callum Pitt collided, allowing him to break through, but he sent his shot over the bar.

Cowdenbeath appeared to have broken the deadlock in 24 minutes when Downie tapped the ball into the net following a goalmouth scramble, but his effort was ruled offside.

The let-off spurred the Borderers into a succession of chances to take the lead themselves with another former Cowdenbeath man, Liam Buchanan, seeing his shot blocked, while seven minutes from the break, Hayward pulled off a good save from Devers.

The resultant corner fell to the unmarked Buchanan at the back post, but his shot was blocked.

The rebound then fell to Robinson with his effort being cleared off the line with Michael Mbewe slotting home with a third attempt, to open the scoring.

Minutes later Buchanan found himself in a good position but sent his shot over the bar while on the stroke of half time Hayward pulled off a good save to deny Mbewe a second goal.

Cowdenbeath opened the second half strongly and two minutes in keeper Liam Campbell turned a Downie effort around the post.

Then on 50 minutes The Blue Brazil had a strong claim for a penalty turned down when Robinson appeared to have fouled Downie in the box.

The early dominance by the visitors continued and Liam Watt sent a shot over the bar from 12 yards.

The drama continued at both ends with both Buchanan and Max Williamson coming close but in 70 minutes Struan Mair killed the game when he volleyed home from the edge of the box.

Then with three minutes to go Cowdenbeath had the ball in the net for a second time when Jack Denham knocked a cross down into the path of Stuart McDowell to tap in but the assistant referee’s flag was raised for a second time.

Berwick Rangers: Campbell, Pitt, Robinson, Pyper, Sommers, Mair, Buchanan (Binnie 74), Mbewe (Sneddon 78), Devers (MacKenzie 55), Hendry (Kemp 74), McCrystal. Sub not used – Antell, McConnell and Macnamara.

Cowdenbeath: Hayward, Adamson, Newman, Cameron, Denham, Wedderburn (Mauchin 69), Williamson (McLean 85), Allan, Downie (Tomany 61), McDowell, Watt (Ness 61). Subs not used – Petrie, Reddington and Gear.

Referee: Colin Whyte.

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