Kevin Haynes 'delighted' as Berwick Rangers secure top-half finish with Bo'ness United win

Berwick Rangers ended the season in emphatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, recording a 4-2 victory over Bo’ness United to secure an eighth-placed finish in the Lowland League.

A Greg Binnie brace, as well as goals from Harry Wright and Caelan McCrone, saw the Borderers ease their way to a comfortable three points that ensured they leapfrogged their opponents and end the campaign in the top half of the table.

Kevin Haynes’ men raced into a commanding first-half lead, with Binnie opening the scoring from the penalty spot after an adjudged handball from Bo’ness player Mark McLuckie. The Berwick striker would then turn provider, finding Wright at the back post, with the promising winger producing a typically deft finish. By the time McCrone added a third, Rangers were soaring.

To their credit, however, Bo’ness rallied, and reduced the deficit through a Lewis Hodgkiss free-kick shortly after the break. Berwick then had to hold firm as the visitors continued to search for a way back into the contest, but any realistic hopes of a comeback would be extinguished for good when Binnie notched his second from close range.

Bo’ness would muster a late consolation five minutes from time, but by that stage Rangers were home and hosed, and speaking after the final whistle, head coach Haynes was quick to share his delight at the manner in which he feels his side have progressed over the past few months.

He said: “I think the biggest one for me is that we've actually accumulated 50% more points than last season's total. The players deserve massive credit - they've been professional, they've been very committed, and they're getting that little bit of a reward for the progression that they've shown.”

The Berwick boss continued: “There was a lot to be said about the players that we signed in the summer, but if you look at our top three goal scorers, they are players that we brought in in the summer - a couple of them who hadn't played this level before. So, you know, I'm delighted with that, I'm delighted with all the guys that came in, delighted with the massive change that we had in the summer, and the guys have really taken to the club and shown what they're all about. I'm delighted with that.”

Last season, Rangers finished the campaign 16th, with 33 points from their 34 league fixtures - some 16 points fewer than their tally this term.