Football: Berwick edge out Lothian to claim City Cup

Published on Thursday 26 March 2009 08:58

BERWICK RANGERS beat Lothian Thistle 2-0 at Saughton Enclosure to lift the historic East of Scotland (City) Cup for the first time since season 2002/2003, although it took a late goal from player/coach Ian Little to clinch the trophy.

Third Division Berwick fielded a strong side, which included former Hearts players Robbie Horn and Stuart Callaghan along Eddie Mearns who was previously with Dundee, and they attacked Lothian from the start. Kevin Swain was the much busier goalkeeper and had to make saves from Mearns, Darren Gribben and Callaghan.

Lothian were only evident in sporadic breakaways and did not trouble Marc Lunn in the visitors' goal before the break.

Berwick took the lead seven minutes before half-time when a Callaghan free kick was headed on to the bar by Horn, who bundled in the rebound.

Lothian had more efforts on goal after the interval, with Craig Hume, Johnny Harvey, Daniel McAleavy and Jim Young all testing Lunn. However, with 15 minutes remaining, Little sealed Berwick's victory when he cut in from the right and fired in an unstoppable shot.

Jimmy Crease, the Berwick manager, said: "It's always nice to win silverware and it was a good workout for our players. Lothian are a young side who acquitted themselves very well. We should probably have scored earlier than we did."

Lothian coach Fraser Ogilvie added: "It was unusual for us not to create chances but we did not get the ball into the penalty box and that was disappointing. We were solid at the back and overall it was a good experience for our players to play against higher level footballers. We matched them at times and now we have to take the positives into our game against leaders Dalbeattie on Saturday."