1913/14: A Critical Stage

Competition Results

Supporter apathy, mounting debt and the fact that the five-year lease on the Union Park was due to expire at the end of the season was sure to determine the future of the club.

Of late, the club had suffered greatly through want of support and a special effort was to be made to reverse the waning interest. It was suggested at a special meeting that the club should reapply to join the Eastern League, now in its second season, in which Broxburn Shamrock, Peebles Rovers, Musselburgh, Gala Fairydean and teams of that calibre competed. However, a guarantee of £3 would have to be paid to each visiting team and, with a lot more travelling, the club would have to take gates of over £9 to make it pay. However, the committee decided that the club should not join this season as, due to the current financial situation, it would be very unwise to carry out such an experiment.

The committee believed the club should not join the Border Football Association this season after the shoddy way their protest with Duns had been handled. The club had made only one-shilling profit on the total match day turnover of £7, 8s, 5d in the 1912/13 Border Amateur League campaign, which was still undecided, and this, along with the difficulty in arranging fixtures, hardly made a case for inclusion. However, it was thought that if they did not join there would be too many free Saturdays to fill in and keep the players in trim. In some cases, the associated competitions had only just paid their way. However, there were no long journeys to be made and with this in mind Rangers half-heartedly joined for another season, along with the Scottish and East of Scotland association cup competitions.

August

30. The season kicked off against Coldstream at the Union Park in the first round of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup. Both teams were under strength with Rangers losing the services of Charlie Noble, who had found new employment in Newcastle. Ernest Fenby and Tom Purves, who had played for Spittal Rovers last season, were drafted into the side, with Purves proving to be a useful addition. The visitors, on the other hand, had two ex-Berwick men on duty in Weatherburn and Barth. Coldstream were somewhat lucky to open the scoring when Robertson screwed the ball home from an acute angle. Berwick rallied and were soon on level terms when Drysdale was upended in the box and the referee unhesitatingly awarded a penalty. Wakenshaw took and scored with the kick, after which little happened until the second half. Ten minutes after the restart, Purves, accepting a cross from Jones, made Smith concede a corner and from Purves' flag kick Richardson put Rangers in front with a header that went in off the post. A few minutes later, a low, hard centre from Purves beat Smith from close range and Rangers were now well in command. However, a mistake at the back by Fenby let Cockburn in; his shot rebounded off Ferguson to Robertson, who made no mistake with his luck. Their tails up, Coldstream looked for the equaliser, but Berwick proved more dangerous with both Purves and Redfearn going close and the better team on the day won 3-2.

September

13. The committee got the draw they had hoped for in the second round of the competition when a home tie with Peebles Rovers was drawn from the hat, and a large gate was expected. However, rain set in on the morning of the match and affected the gate so much that Rangers suffered a severe loss. The Peebles team was largely composed of players, many of whom could play at a much higher level, from Edinburgh and the Penicuik area, except for James Haswell, who travelled from Berwick each week to assist them. The opening half was an even affair with the only goal of the game going to Peebles. After good work down the right, the ball was switched to the left where McDougall scored with a shot that went in off the far post. While Rovers had been more dangerous in front of goal, Rangers had had as much of the midfield play as the visitors, but at the interval the 1-0 scoring line was a fair reflection of the half. Rovers were determined to increase their lead on the restart and from such pressure a goal was bound to come. It did when McMorran scored with a long high shot beyond the fingertips of the diving Ferguson. Rangers responded with a spell of pressure that culminated in Kelling handling in the area and Wakenshaw reduced the score to a more respectable level from the spot. Berwick kept up the pressure, but apart from a few forays into the visitor's half little else happened. The game burst back into life when Brown ran through to net for Peebles, but he used his arm in doing so and his goal was disallowed. Immediately after, Redfearn conceded a corner that proved fatal. The kick went wide, but McMorran sent a looping ball towards the goal line, and, evidently thinking it was going out, four of the Rangers' players watched as Collins scored from what appeared to be an impossible angle. Rangers continued to press in hope but suffered a loss both on and off the pitch with the visitors winning 3-1.

20. Despite Berwick Rangers putting on a good show against a strong Peebles side, only a moderate turnout of spectators lined the Union Park barriers for the visit of Vale of Leithen in the second round of the SFA Qualifying Cup a week later. Berwick appeared to be a much stronger side when the two teams lined up for the kick-off, and it soon became evident that if Rangers could shoot, they would be in for a heavy win. Berwick took up the running from the start but missed chance after chance and the supporters were becoming anxious as Rangers failed to breakthrough despite their dominance. However, their spirits were soothed when, after a mazy run by Scobie, Richardson placed well for Redfearn to find the net. Rangers kept up the pressure but, just before the interval, McLennan finished off a smart bit of dribbling with a well-earned goal for the visitors. Berwick started the second half in more promising style. From a Scobie cross Richardson put Rangers back front before Purves headed in a third goal after working his way through the visitors' defence. Vale rallied as Rangers took their foot off the pedal and some end-to-end football followed, but Scobie made the game safe when he scored a fourth after winning a free kick on the edge of the box.

October

4. In the regional draw for the third round of the SFA Qualifying Cup, Rangers were given a plum home draw against Broxburn United in the East of Scotland and Border Counties section. Broxburn immediately offered Berwick a £15 guarantee and half gate over £30 to forfeit ground advantage. However, the committee decided to refuse the offer, in hope that the local football supporters would, this time, turn out in numbers to cheer the Rangers on, knowing that the winners would enter the Scottish Cup proper. Berwick would have to be on top form to stand any chance of beating Broxburn United, a combination of Broxburn Athletic and Broxburn, who had joined forces last season. Local hopes were high with the inclusion of Archie Bartleman, of Clapton Orient, in the full-back berth for the match and the return of Erswell to the fold. The visitors had nine men the size of Wakenshaw, as Scobie and Erswell soon found out. Broxburn were much faster on the ball and showed Rangers the art of shooting with no dilly-dallying or getting in each other's way. Hamilton gave Broxburn the lead when, after receiving a pass from the right, his shot hit the upright and bounced into the net. A few minutes later, Ferguson, trying to fist out a long shot from Curran, missed it completely, putting the visitors two up. Berwick made a better show after the break and had their fair share of play, but the forwards were weak in finishing and the visitors eventually proved too much for them. Bartleman and Burgon stood firm at the back despite some immense pressure as Broxburn tried hard to kill off the tie. The visitors succeeded in the end but only from the penalty spot. Wakenshaw undeniably fouled Clark in the area and Clark made no mistake with his kick. With their 3-0 advantage, Broxburn pressed confidently until the end to claim their place in the Scottish Cup proper. The gate amounted to £20 with the visiting support providing half, which was not very creditable to the Berwick people. The committee could have raised prices to 6d, as was expected by the Broxburn support, but kept the price low to entice the Berwick public to support their local senior side. Yet again the exercise failed.

At the October meeting of the Border Amateur League, the principle business was that of a protest by Duns against Coldstream for having played two ineligible players in the first of the two deciding matches between the clubs for the League championship held over from last season. Coldstream had won their home match 5-0, but had played Watson, a member of last year's Duns team, and Lillie, who had played for Kelso. Both these players had joined the Coldstream club this season and were, therefore, ineligible for "last season's" competition. The League upheld the protest and came to the following decision: that the game should not be replayed, and the points gained by Coldstream do not count. This decision brought Berwick Rangers back into the picture. Rangers were two points ahead but had finished their matches. The league could only be decided by either Duns or Coldstream winning both matches and this the result of the protest had now rendered this impossible. The League then decided that a deciding match be played between Duns and Berwick Rangers to determine the championship at a date to be agreed between the two clubs.

11. In the King Cup first round, Berwick Rangers beat visitors Coldstream for the second time in a cup competition this season. There was little between the two sides in the first half as both teams played with plenty of dash without result. In the second period Rangers proved be the better team but Coldstream took a surprise lead. Robertson's thunderous shot deflected off Hogg, causing Ferguson to fumble, and the ball rolled over his legs into the net. However, persistent pressure by Berwick for a twenty-minute spell ended with the equaliser when Richardson worked his way past four defenders in quick succession before passing for Fenby to score with a superb shot. Straight from the kick-off, Coldstream attacked, and Robertson netted only for Cockburn to be ruled offside and the goal disallowed. From the goal kick, Fenby received on the wing and crossed to Richardson, who was standing unmarked, and had little difficulty in giving Rangers the lead. Fenby struck both uprights as Berwick maintained their slender lead until the end.

18. In the draw for the second round of the King Cup, Berwick Rangers received home advantage with Civil Service Strollers the visitors. Berwick, who had a strong breeze behind them, started with only nine men, with Tait and Redfearn making a late appearance. Making full use of the conditions, Erswell scored a beauty with a wind-assisted 25-yard effort midway through the half and, just before the interval, Wakenshaw headed a corner by Fenby into the goalmouth; the keeper cleared, but Richardson got to the rebound first to give Berwick a 2-0 half-time lead. It looked a slender lead under the circumstances, and the Strollers set a stiff pace on the restart. From an early throw-in on the right, and a cross from Jones, the ball reached the unmarked Graham, who had no difficulty in reducing the lead. Even against the wind, Rangers were having as much of the play as their opponents. The Strollers turned to spoiling tactics in response and the game turned nasty. However, Rangers managed to keep up their momentum, and Redfearn had a good goal disallowed for offside against Richardson. Wakenshaw then let Erswell away with a vigorous punt. Matheson tried to clear, but Erswell retained possession and, having passed all other opposition, he walked the ball towards the keeper, of whom he had little difficulty in beating, to put Rangers 3-1 ahead and a place in the semi-final round.

November

1. Coldstream, who were still reeling from the Border Amateur League's decision to uphold the protest lodged by Duns, had still not made up their minds as to their participation in this season's competition when Berwick visited Home Park on November 1st. The game itself was played as a friendly but, from the start, it was evident from the tactics that there was not much friendliness to be exchanged. Sparring matches were taking place every five minutes with Wakenshaw, who apparently cannot play a clean game, commencing, and completing matters when seen squaring up to the home keeper in semi-darkness at the game's end. Both teams were under strength with Coldstream minus keeper Smith and Cockburn, who were assisting Carlisle United in the English FA Qualifying Cup. Coldstream started with only nine men for the first ten minutes until two spectators donned the blue jerseys to equal the numbers. Berwick opened the scoring when Wakenshaw headed home a corner but, straight from the kick-off, Coldstream took the ball up field and Melrose, getting possession, equalised. In the second half, Coldstream took an early lead when Dalgleish crossed for Melrose to net his second of the afternoon. After a spell of Berwick pressure, Gilchrist levelled the score; however, the Streamers had the last punch when Jackson scored a late third to win the bout 3-2.

8. Due to team raising problems, Duns could not arrange a suitable date for their Border Amateur League championship play-off decider against Berwick Rangers. However, they visited the Union Park with a very under strength team for a friendly and paid the consequences dearly. Duns appeared with only seven men, three of whom were not regular players. The gaps were filled by four local players in William Ferguson, the Rangers' goalkeeper, Robert Richardson, William Robson and Tom Callan. Rangers had their selected team on the park except for Goodfellow, whose place was taken by James Gilchrist. The first incident of note in a quiet first half was a goal by Fenby, who ran through the defence and gave Ferguson in goal little chance. Duns equalised when John Ferguson shouted on Young, the Berwick keeper, to run out of his goal and clear; this he did, but the ball deflected off Ferguson into the path of Robert Richardson, who was presented with an open goal. Fenby gave Rangers a 2-1 half-time lead after nipping in to touch Erswell's shot, which was running along the goal line, home. The second half was barren of incident for some time, but then came a deluge of goals. First Scobie, running the ball down, beat the defence and scored at close range. Peter Richardson struck the post with a high shot and converted the rebound. From an Erswell through ball, Richardson beat the keeper from two yards out. Scobie then found the net after a solo run before Richardson added another two in very quick succession and Wakenshaw completed the rout by scoring the ninth. The four local substitutes could not be held to blame for such a heavy defeat as they were by far the better players in the Duns side and Ferguson in goal stood little chance as the Duns defence was so weak.

15. Berwick Rangers faced stiffer opposition when Edinburgh Civil Service visited Union Park in the semi-final round of the King Cup. Berwick were dealt a blow before the game when David Redfearn, the club captain, announced his retirement from the game to concentrate on his taxi business. Robert Wakenshaw, vice-captain, was the automatic choice as his replacement. The Edinburgh side originally had choice of grounds but opted to play at Tweedmouth; this greatly improved Rangers' prospects, with expectations high of reaching the final stage. However, poor shooting by the forwards, and some blunders by the defence, were the main causes of their 3-1 defeat and only the heroics of Young in goal averted a total disaster despite leading 1-0 at the interval. Rangers started with a strong wind behind them and both Fenby and Cooper went close before Richardson scored, but Cooper was in an offside position and the goal was disallowed. Only a few minutes of the half remained when Scobie raced down the wing and crossed to Purves, who caught the ball on the touchline and sent it across the goal for Wakenshaw to score. A brilliant save by Young from a Lawson shot early in the second half kept Berwick's slender lead intact. Young was called into action frequently and fully deserved the applause that greeted his saves. An attack on the visitors' goal by Fenby gave the home backs a short respite, but he got caught near the corner flag and Lawson, gaining possession, sprinted downfield and crossed for Finlayson to shoot. Young saved, but could not clear, and Finlayson nipped in to net the equaliser. Ferguson then made the mistake of holding on too long when trying to clear a Spence centre; Black dispossessed him and put the Service ahead. Erswell then had a good chance to level the score but hit his shot against the side netting. Rangers were lucky not to go further behind when Black had the goal at his mercy but struck the upright. However, Finlayson completed the scoring just before time by running the ball past the advancing Young.

22. Berwick Rangers travelled to Duns to play their return friendly. A vastly improved performance by Duns, and in particular the performance of Bell, robbed Berwick of victory when it was within their grasp with a two-goal lead. Duns had the better of exchanges in a quiet first half that only burst into life a few minutes before the break. Erswell beat Thomson and sent in a cross; at least two Berwick forwards missed the ball, but Robert Richardson, standing at the far post, made no mistake. Ten minutes into the second half, Thomson fouled Richardson in the penalty box and the aggrieved player scored his second of the match with the resultant kick. From then on, it was backs to the wall for Berwick as they tried to prevent the home side from piercing the defence, but a breakthrough was inevitable. From a perfect Bell pass, Tindal scored and, with only a few minutes remaining, Bell broke through and unleashed a tremendous shot for the equaliser after which Rangers hung on grimly until the final whistle.

December

6. Local amateur side Berwick Amateurs tried their luck against Berwick Rangers in a friendly at Union Park. However, goals by Peter Richardson, Fenby, Dixon and Purves secured a comfortable 4-1 victory, Crawford replying for the Amateurs. Afterwards, a spell of bad weather, including snow, shut football down in the borough until the round of festive friendlies started.

25. Berwick Rangers wiped off their defeat by the Civil Service in the semi-final of the King Cup with a 3-2 victory in a Christmas Day friendly played with some festive character despite the wretched conditions. A low turnout watched the Service serve up some pretty footwork as they created the early pressure to score first through McPherson. Peter Richardson soon levelled the score, with a well-taken goal following a rebound off the keeper and, just before the interval, Fenby gave Rangers the lead. After a spell of pressure on the restart, and with Young well beaten, Gilchrist's goal line clearance prevented the visitors from levelling the score. Young made amends with three fantastic saves in quick succession but had no chance whatsoever when Downie beat him with a close-range shot. Black then raced down the wing and looked like putting the visitors in the lead, but Young again saved the day. Rangers fought their way back into the match and gained their revenge when Fenby scored Berwick's third right on time.

January

Glasgow football provided the New Year's opposition in the form of the Glasgow Caledonians and Queen's Park clubs. The Caledonians were first to try their luck, but Rangers sounded in the New Year on a high-scoring note with an impressive 8-4 victory. The third team of the Queen's Park Football Club, who were on tour in the area, provided the eleven in a 2-2 draw on January 3rd, with Rangers levelling matters at the death.

1. Dullins opened the scoring for the Caledonians in the opening minute as the visitors got off to a flying start. Young made several first-class saves to keep Rangers in the hunt before the keeper parried Fenby's goal-bound shot, but only as far as Purves, who hammered home a vicious shot to equalise. End-to-end football followed, but with few chances, as both defences were well on top. However, a few minutes before the interval, Thorburn beat Ferguson for possession and he slotted the ball past the advancing keeper to give the visitors a 2-1 half-time lead. The superiority of the forwards on both sides was to be the feature of the second half and, as a result, another nine goals were scored. Richardson equalised before Thorburn put the visitors back in the lead. Wakenshaw levelled again and Richardson scored a brace to make the score 5-3. Thorburn then scored his third and the Caledonians' last of the game as from that point Rangers took complete control. Wakenshaw scored Berwick's sixth before Patterson added a seventh from a Fenby cross. Fenby then tried to get on the score sheet, but the best he could do was rattle the crossbar. Foster, the new outside-left, completed the scoring late on as Rangers sounded in the New Year on a high-scoring note with an impressive 8-4 victory.

3. Queen's Park had the wind at their backs and pressed hard for the greater part of the first half but had difficulty in breaking down the Berwick defence. Prentice had hard luck when he struck the upright from a difficult angle. Two minutes later, however, Keith beat the home defence and opened the scoring. Richardson went close with a dipping shot, but at half-time Queen's Park fully deserved their 1-0 lead. Berwick exerted a great deal of pressure in the opening stages of the second half and Wakenshaw was unlucky to see his impressive shot saved by Cameron. However, Purvis levelled with a similar shot a few minutes later. The Hampden men fought back immediately, and Keith restored their lead with his second of the afternoon. Play was even until the final minutes when Rangers attacked with more urgency. Foster had a likely shot charged down and Purves sent narrowly behind. With time fast running out, Fenby played Purves through and he rounded the defence before crossing for Foster to level matters at the death.

17. Despite losing a player to a foul, from which they scored through G. Turner in the opening minute, Vale of Leithen generally had the better of matters throughout a SFA Consolation Cup first round match played at Caddon Park. Rangers failed to make use their numerical advantage and Vale kept up a steady pressure. A cross from Miller was narrowly missed before A. Turner extended their lead from an in-swinging corner. Berwick tried hard to recover from this quick reverse, but a long shot from Purves was the only effort that gave the home keeper any real trouble. The second half started at a faster pace than the first. Wakenshaw tested Anderson with a hard drive and the Vale goal had a few narrow escapes as Berwick fought hard. However, the home side upped their game. G. Turner scored a fine goal after a neat left wing move and Richardson scored a stunning fourth to make the game safe.

24. A high prevailing wind blowing down Union Park spoiled the Border Cup first round match against Duns. Rangers were without the services of Peter Richardson for the match, who along with Charlie Erswell, had left to join up with several other Border players in the ranks of Carlisle United. Duns, with the wind behind them, kept Berwick on the defensive throughout the first half. However, Young, who was on top form between the posts, held out until the 25th minute when Thomson finally beat him with a long-range shot. On the change of ends, Berwick won a succession of five corners without result, before Fenby levelled the score following a Wakenshaw-led attack. No sooner had the game been restarted than Fenby again went for goal. Leitch caught the rebound from the keeper and scored only for Fenby to be ruled offside. However, a few minutes later Burgon secured the lead for Berwick with a fine shot. Ferguson followed up with another good try that was only inches too high. Duns tried hard to make an impression, but Rangers were well in command and Gilchrist scored a late third with a long, dipping shot to kill the match.

31. Kelso had surprisingly dismissed Coldstream in the Border Cup, but it still came as a shock to the local supporters when they did the same to Berwick in the semi-final round a week later, especially on their own ground. The strong wind, blowing towards the town end of the ground, was a spoiling factor with Rangers forced to defend in numbers to keep the visitors out. Kelso rained in shot after shot on the home goal and their persistence eventually paid dividends when Henderson scored. With only a 1-0 advantage at the break Kelso knew they would have to defend well in the second period to stand any chance of winning; they did by kicking the ball out of touch at every possible opportunity as Berwick forced corner after corner. A penalty gave Rangers their best chance of equalising, but Wakenshaw shot straight at the keeper and, despite considerable pressure at the close, they had to acknowledge another cup defeat.

February

7. With an empty Saturday before starting their defence of the East of Scotland Consolation Cup, Rangers played a friendly against North Eastern at Union Park on February 7th. Berwick rested several regular players and tried out a new forward in Dunsmuir, who had just arrived from Ayrshire to work in the town and looked a hot prospect. First half goals by Purves and Dixon gave Berwick a 2-1 interval lead. In the second half, they improved their position with a Wakenshaw hat trick and further goals from Purves and Dixon securing a 7-1 win.

14. The gate suffered badly when Leith Amateurs arrived at the Union Park nearly an hour late for their East of Scotland Consolation Cup first round tie. They were already stripped on arrival at the ground so that minimal time was lost, but many spectators had, by that time, left for home. The first half exchanges were even, but new acquisition Dunsmuir's goal just before the interval was assuring to Berwick, and they played exceptionally well after the break. Goals were slow in coming even though Rangers did all the pressing, with numerous chances lost due to Fenby not being in his place to accept crosses from the wing. However, Fenby later made amends by supplying the passes from which Robert Richardson scored two goals as Rangers started off the defence of their trophy with a deserved 3-0 win.

21. Berwick Rangers just scraped through to the third round of the East of Scotland Consolation Cup at the expense of Peebles Athletic. Peebles had had home advantage in the second-round tie but could not secure use of their ground for the match and travelled to Tweedmouth instead. For the fifth Saturday in succession, the wind was again a spoiling factor. In previous matches, teams had gained considerable advantage from the wind, but for some unusual reason this week Peebles played better against it than with it. Peebles were easily the more dangerous throughout the half and it was due to the superb form of Young in goal that the score was goalless at interval. Berwick started the second half in rich form but after a short while they cooled off, allowing Peebles back into the game. Wakenshaw was forced to leave the field injured but, despite being down to ten men, Rangers upped their game. Fenby rattled the crossbar with a fierce shot before Gilchrist scored what turned out to be the only goal of the match. Anderson stopped his cross-cum shot from the touchline, but failed to hold onto it, and the ball bounced over his shoulder and into the net.

March

7. The return of Peter Richardson from Carlisle United gave Berwick Rangers a bonus in their quest to retain the East of Scotland Consolation Cup when they met Vale of Leithen in the semi-final round. As it was March Hiring Day, there was a large crowd of country folk in the town and the attendance was much better than of late. Rangers were at full strength but were thrown on the defensive at the start as the Vale forwards forced a succession of early corners. They continued to press matters throughout the opening half, but poor shooting by both sides ensured a goalless scoreline at the interval. There was an improvement in Berwick's forward play in the second half, but it still took a penalty to separate the sides. Peter Richardson had twice gone close before Dunsmuir was fouled when about to shoot and Richardson scored from the spot. Vale had a chance to equalise when Rathie raced up the wing and centred. Turner was standing unmarked in the Berwick goal, but his shot was an inch too high. Purves then crossed for Richardson, as Berwick searched hard for the second goal killer goal, but Richardson missed completely and Fenby sent behind. However, with time fast running out, Purves crossed neatly, and Richardson hit the back of the net with a powerful shot to book Berwick's place in the final against Selkirk.

April

4. After a long period of inactivity, and in preparation for the East of Scotland Consolation Cup final, Rangers played a friendly against Berwick Amateurs at the Union Park on April 4th. The youngsters put up a good fight against the senior side, who were only short of Ferguson and Fenby in an otherwise full-strength line-up. Allan opened the scoring for the Amateurs, but Roberts equalised before the interval and, in the second half, John Richardson scored the winning goal.

11. No matter how badly they might have been supported during the season Berwick Rangers always got a good following whenever they reached a cup final. This was the case when over 300 supporters left Berwick railway station to witness the East of Scotland Consolation Cup final against Selkirk at Home Park, Coldstream, which ended in disputed victory for the Rangers. The game was of poor quality for a cup final, but Berwick were full value for their win. It looked promising after Berwick's opening burst, during which Fenby scored from an acute angle on the touchline, but afterwards the game fell away considerably. The weakness of both teams was in their attack with Selkirk worse in this department than Berwick and never looked capable of winning. Owing to a protest lodged by Selkirk at the final whistle, the cup was not presented, but Rangers retained custody as present holders until it was rightfully won. Selkirk objected to Peter Richardson's involvement in the match due to being a registered professional with Carlisle United, along with alleged team sheet irregularities. Selkirk were successful in their protest, and the match was ordered to be replayed at Kelso, on April 25th.

16. Heart of Midlothian won comfortably when they played an exhibition match at the Union Park. Hearts brought four of their first team regulars and three others who had tasted Scottish League football this season. A collection was taken before the match in aid of Harry Burgon, who had the misfortune to break his leg in a midweek "light night" cup competition, played on the Stanks, earlier in the week. The early stages of the game were uneventful, and the first half ended goalless. Assisted by a slight breeze in the second half, Hearts opened in a business-like fashion and during the opening minutes had as many shots on goal as in the entire first forty-five. Fenby was Berwick's hero as he repeatedly cleared at the back with long punts, but it came as no surprise when Hearts eventually took the lead. Young made a brilliant save from a Moreland shot but could do little when Scott Walker beat him with a daisy-cutter. Peter Richardson had a good chance at the other end but sent over from close range. Moreland then beat Young with a soft goal and later beat him again when he caught the home defence napping to complete a 3-0 win.

25. Berwick Rangers found themselves with team raising difficulties for the cup final replay against Selkirk at Sheddon Park, Kelso. Ferguson had called off injured; Burgon was out with a broken leg and Peter Richardson ineligible. Jack Drysdale, who had almost retired from the game this season, returned to the forward line, along with Cooper, with Fenby dropping back into defence alongside Ferguson's replacement, Tait. Berwick took with them a large number of supporters by special train, easily outnumbering the Selkirk contingent in the large crowd, to watch the match played on the rugby park, with the goals erected immediately in front of the still standing rugby posts. In the game, which was far from being a rough encounter, there were no less than three penalties awarded. Selkirk had two without result, whereas Berwick secured the winning goal with their spot kick. Rangers took the lead in the 15th minute when Cooper beat Reid for possession and sent Purves away to beat Hislop from close range. John Richardson then hit the crossbar before Selkirk, after forcing a series of corners, levelled through Davidson. A mistake by the Selkirk keeper led to Berwick regaining the lead. Hislop failed to hold a powerful shot from Purves and the forward put the rebound well out of the keeper's reach. The Berwick support was not jubilant long, however, as Fenby upended Davidson in the box and the first of the spot kicks was awarded. Hislop left his goal to take the kick, but his shot hit the crossbar and the rebound cleared by Wakenshaw. Selkirk set the pace after the interval. Hastie led an attack on the Berwick goal and, with only Fenby between him and Young, he looked like completing his task, only to be fouled in the box by the defender and Selkirk were awarded a second spot-kick. Hislop again took the kick, but this time Young saved. Rangers rubbed salt into Selkirk's wounds when John Richardson was fouled in front of goal and Wakenshaw showed the opposition how to take penalties by converting from the spot. Selkirk pressed intensely, and Davidson went close. Rangers replied when Scobie, after a good run down the wing, crossed for John Richardson, who hit the crossbar with Hislop well beaten. Scobie caught the rebound, but Milligan stopped his shot on the line. With only a few minutes remaining, Selkirk upped the pace in a late bid to salvage the tie and, after a series of corners, Milligan scored, making it a nervous few minutes until the whistle sounded on a 3-2 Berwick victory. The cup was later presented to the club captain, Robert Wakenshaw, in Sanderson's tearooms in the town centre, by the secretary of the ESFA, Mr. D Riddle, an ex-Berwick Ranger himself and the club's retiring representative on the committees of both the ESFA and SFA.

Success on the field soon turned to despair off it. A special general meeting was held in the Three Tuns Inn on April 24th with the purpose of considering whether the club should continue. A debt of £70 had been amassed over the past five years as a direct consequence of the lack of support from the townspeople. The debt was covered by the money raised following a bazaar held five years ago being invested by trustees in shares with Messrs Barclay & Company, but with the lease of the Union Park due for renewal on 12th May, a decision had to be made, and quickly.

The club treasurer, Mr. D. Hebenton, submitted a statement of accounts for the past year showing that the expenditure to date was less than the income by £3 7s, but out of this the rent remained to be paid. Mr. D. Redpath, one of the trustees, said that the body was not going to renew the lease of the Union Park. They had released the shares, paid off the overdraft, and held £15 with which to pay the rent on the Union Park in May. He did not expect that after the club's liabilities had been cleared that there would be very much left of the bazaar money, but supporters could rest assured that the club would start clear of debt next season. The overdraft was £70, and the amount released from the shares was £89.

An agreement was later was reached with the landlord of the Union Park whereby the club could use the field, for the football playing season only, at a rent of £10. It was hoped that, under this new arrangement, the financial position of the club would improve, and the club set about preparations for the coming season.