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Scottish Football

Another episode in the Berwick Rangers soap opera

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Border Reiver talks us through the best of the action north of the border

Last week's 3-0 home defeat to Alloa was overshadowed by the resignation of manager John Coughlin. He threatened to resign the previous week at Queens Park but was persuaded to give it another go. As usual the rumour mill is on overtime as to who, what, why and how much. He has done the honourable thing and can leave with his head held high.

The statistics of his two full seasons in charge will long stand as testimony to his managerial ability. P72, W47, D10, L15. Runners up on goal difference first year and Champions in the second. He gave us our second ever title and that was achieved on the smallest budget in the club's history.

After last season's high of title glory we have reverted to the good old Berwick way of bitching and in-fighting. After 40 years of supporting Berwick you would think there could be no more surprises. One things for sure, there's always something to talk about. This week we go manageress to Cowdenbeath. I fully expect our poor run to continue.

Arbroath v Stenhousemuir

Stenhousemuir travel to in-form Arbroath on Saturday. On paper this looks a home banker, but Stennie will unveil new manager John Coughlin before the game. He has already signed two loan players. One of them is Gordon Lennon. He left Albion Rovers in the summer to go full time at Partick Thistle. He hasn't broken into the Jags first team yet but he is an outstanding centre-half at this level. Coughlin was trying to get him to Berwick before his resignation.

The Stennie players will be in no doubt what is required of them and that they are all playing for their places. If this game had been at Stennie then I would have been backing them to win, but because it is away I shall make it a lay of the home team.

Arbroath are getting their act together but despite Stennie's terrible start they are only 5 points in front. The difference between the majority of teams in the 3rd division is very little and it won't take too much of an improvement by Stennie to stop Arbroath from winning. Lay Arbroath around 1.7.

Motherwell v Hibernian

I shall be backing Hibs to win at Motherwell. Although 'Well are exceeding expectations this season, Hibs should be comfortable winners. My only concern is they may not be as fired up as much as when they face the Old Firm. Back Hibs around 2.3.

A very difficult fixture list this week so I shall only be recommending two bets.

This week's bets are back Hibs at around 2.3 and lay Arbroath around 1.7.