Berwick go down after treble blast

Mar 14 2010 Sunday Sun

STRANRAER cruised to a 3-1 victory over Berwick Rangers thanks to hat-trick hero Stuart McColm’s first senior treble.

The home fans did not have to wait long as McColm reacted quickest to prod the ball past Berwick keeper Mark Peat after he had blocked his initial effort on 13 minutes.

Just five minutes later and McColm picked up his second when he fired past Peat from a tight angle into the bottom right corner.

The 21-year-old should have completed his hat-trick before the hour, but he blazed over from six yards following Armand One’s lay-off.

But he made amends less than 60 second later when he used his pace to break clear of the visitors’ defence and slot the ball under the advancing Peat.

Berwick did pull a consolation back in injury time when substitute Olly Russell turned and hooked his shot from the edge of the box past Robbie MacKillop into the top left corner of the net.

STRANRAER: David Mitchell 7 (MacKillop 90, 5), Agostini 8, Sharp 7, Agnew 7, Bouadji 7, Nicoll 8, One 6 (Moore 66, 6), Danny Mitchell 7, Stuart McColm 9, Cawley 6 (Montgomerie 66, 6), Noble 7. Subs not used: Henderson, Glen Mitchell.

BERWICK RANGERS: Peat 6, Notman 6, Smith 6, Ewart 6, Horn 6, Callaghan 5 (Cropley 66, 6), Currie 6, Shields 5 (Russell 90, 6), Brazil 6, Gray 6, Little 5 (McMillan 74, 6). Subs not used: Greenhill, McCaldon (GK).

Referee: Gary Hilland 6.

Attendance: 231.