Dunipace battle till the end with Berwick Rangers but historic day ends in defeat

Lee Davidson gave Dunipace the lead in the first half

It was always expected to be a tough ask for the new management team and their players to overcome a well organised vastly more experienced team from two divisions above but the players gave everything to try and pull off a memorable upset.

The first 10 minutes saw the visitors have most of the possession without causing too much concern for Pacewith their best chance coming when a free-kick which flew just over Kane’s bar.

Dunipace started to grow into the match and an excellent run by France saw Craig come close.

The Pace players held their own against an experienced side from two divisions above

On 25 minutes the Dunipace bench were outraged at what they felt was a clear stamp by a Berwick Rangers defender on France right in front of the dug-out, the Berwick man very lucky to escape with just a yellow card.

Then on 26 minutes Liam Craig broke down the right wing, fired in a low wicked ball which Sam Colley dummied for the on-rushing Lee Davidson to fire the hosts into a 1-0 lead.

Until that point Dunipace had looked comfortable but Berwick showed what they were capable of on just three minutes later when Kane had to make an excellent save low down to his right to turn the ball round the post.

The leveller came just after the half hour mark when Berwick broke quickly down their right, a slick move saw a perfect cross reach their number 19 on the edge of the six-yard box who powered an unstoppable header past Kane to make it 1-1 going into half-time.

Everyone associated with the club can be proud of their efforts on the day and to get to this stage

Danny Ashe was marshalling the home defence well and a last gasp tackle from skipper for the day Gary Wright stopped what looked a certain goal but only delayed Berwick taking the lead ten minutes in to the second half.

A well placed free-kick into the top right hand corner made it 2-1 after what can only be described as a theatrical fall by the experienced Berwick frontman to win the initial foul.

More disappointment was to follow on just after the hour mark when a routine looping ball was misjudged by the home defence letting Berwick in once more for what proved to be the final goal of the game with Berwick coming out 3-1 victors.

Dunipace did have a few late chances, a Danny Ashe header was cleared off the line and a spate of corners for the home team saw them battle right to the end.

Speaking after the match, Pace manager Danny Smith commented: “The lads gave their all and I cannot fault anyone of them, they were a credit to the team.

"There wasn’t much between the teams and if we had managed to hold on longer at 1-0 the result could well have been different.

"We obviously would have loved to progress for the team and the town, but we wish Berwick Rangers well and we dust ourselves down for a crucial league fixture way to Coldstream this coming Saturday.”

Despite the result it remained a significant day in he history of the club and one that will have given all associated the ambition to come back even better next year and make more Scottish Cup memories.

Until then though they have league duties to focus on stating this weekend as they make the trip to Coldstream.

Currently just one point and one league place separate the two sides in the East of Scotland First Division Conference A.