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Cowdenbeath 2 v 0 Albion Rovers |  |
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Cowdenbeath 2 v 0 Albion Rovers | |
| Bell's League Third Division 2nd October 2004 |
Pics Here Monday
Attendance : 243
Scorers ~ Cowdenbeath : Gribben (30), Buchanan (89).
Rovers went to Cowdenbeath really needing to get a win to kick-start their league campaign, the omens were good as their last visit to Fife resulted in a 2-0 win against Raith Rovers. Chris Silvestro and John Bradford missed the match due to injury although Joe Boyle returned to the squad after recovering from a broken jaw. After much speculation on his future striker Mark Yardley didn't feature in the squad either.
The Blue Brazil dominated from the start with Gary Fusco chancing his arm from 20 yards, Chris Fahey easily catching the ball. Innes Ritchie was next to force a good save from the Cliftonhill 'keeper. Next Dene Shields confronted Fahey and managed to lift the ball over him but the ball was cleared before he could get to it.
Rovers survived another scare when Shields and Fahey both went for a 50/50 ball at the edge of the box. The ball broke to Shields who saw his shot cleared. Rovers came into the game briefly when a Scott Crabbe corner found Jered Stirling on the edge of the box but the resultant shot didn't trouble 'keeper Fleming. Jim Mercer had a go from about 30 yards which missed the target.
In 13 minutes a Shields shot was blocked by McGowan giving the Fifers a corner which was taken by McHale and headed past by Mowat. Rovers had a shot go past the goal before play returned to the other end where Fahey thumped the ball upfield to his opposite number. In 29 minutes Ricky Patrick had an attempt from distance easily saved.
A minute later Cowdenbeath took the lead when Paul McHale passed the ball to Gribben who rounded the defence to slot home past the helpless Fahey. The home 'keeper was forced into punching the ball clear seconds after play restarted and Scott Crabbe let rip but his shot was well over the bar.
In 40 minutes Dene Shields picked up the ball on the halfway line and he advanced goalward missing the goal by a small margin from a tight angle. Jamie McGowan skied the ball over the Cowden bar before the referee blew for half-time.
Second Half
Cowdenbeath were denied what looked like a penalty in 51 minutes when Fusco appeared to be shoved in the back in Rovers box. Almost immediately afterwards a strong Mowat shot was wide. Fusco was at the centre of the action again shortly afterwards when Fahey had to dive to stop his shot.
With Rovers still on the back foot Gribben was the provider for Shields whose shot was deflected over the bar. McHale took a corner which brought about a bullet header from Gribben which was also too high. In 66 minutes Shields and Mowat found themselves near Rovers goal but Danny Black managed against all odds to clear.
At this point Kevin McAllister freshened up the team by replacing McKenzie and Patrick with Boyle and McCaul. The homesters weren't resting on their laurels and a McHale corner was blasted onto the crossbar by Iain Mauchlen. Chris Fahey kept his side in touch by pulling off a great save from a strong McHale shot.
Rovers made a rare foray upfield in 77 minutes with Paterson and McLaren combining to get the ball into the box which Jim Mercer just failed to connect with. Some good work by substitute Bathgate on the wing ended disappointingly when his cross was mopped up by Fahey.
A minute from time the Blue Brazil wrapped up the game when replacement Buchanan, who looked to be offside when he received the ball from Mauchlen slid the ball into the net giving Chris Fahey no chance.
Summary
Yet another dire league performance by Rovers but thanks to the international next week Crunchie has a fortnight to identify the problem and hopefully find a solution before his team return to the Kingdom to play East Fife.
Referee Finnie was a bit over zealous taking the names of McLaren, Stirling, McGowan and McCaul of Rovers and Shields and McKeown of Cowdenbeath.
Cowdenbeath : Fleming, Mowat, Campbell, McGregor (Kelly 62), McKeown, Ritchie, McHale, Fusco, Shields (Buchanan 84), Gribben (Bathgate 76) Mauchlen. Subs Not Used : Miller, Findlay.
Albion Rovers : Fahey, Paterson, Stirling, Black, McGowan, McLaren, McKenzie (Boyle 74), Patrick (McCaul 74), Crabbe, McManus, Mercer. Subs Not Used : Selkirk, Connolly, Peat.
Referee : S. Finnie
Man of the Match - Chris Fahey
