Cowdenbeath 2 v 1 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 255

Scorers ~ Cowdenbeath : Paatelainen (33), Buchanan (67). Albion Rovers :  Donachy (51).

Buoyed by their good showing if ultimately unsuccessful cup performances against Partick Thistle, Albion Rovers went into this match showing no fear of 3rd placed Cowdenbeath. At the end they went home empty handed although many spectators of both sides thought this didn't reflect the balance of power during the game, a draw perhaps being a more fitting outcome.

Rovers started in the right mode although Donachy's shot from 25 yards went straight to 'keeper Hay. In 3 minutes Chaplain worked well to get into a decent position and the resulting shot was put out for a corner by the number 1.

A minute later Cowden had their first move of note which ended in Andy Jackson shooting from a tight angle which Ewings stuck out a foot to clear. Markus Paatelainen, brother of manager Mixu then latched onto a McBride cross to hit the ball ludicrously wide of the target.

The home side piled on the pressure and only the quick wittedness of Graham McGhee prevented a Fifers goal when he put the ball past his own post with Ewings unable to get there and a attacker bearing down on the ball.

Danny Black was next to try his luck, his shot rebounding off 'keeper Hay to give him the ball once more which this time he supplied to Scott Friel. this resulted in the Rovers captain having his fierce shot plucked from the air above the 'keeper's head.

Buchanan had a failed attempt on Rovers goal before travelling fans were exasperated with Rovers coming as close as possible twice within a couple of seconds. A Reid run and cross gave Iain Chisholm an opportunity which he grabbed blasting the ball goalward possibly with homester Ward helping it on its way, with Hay unable to intervene the ball rebounded off the underside of the bar. Scott Friel picked up the loose ball and skelped it off the same part of the crossbar to safety.

Next Donachy supplied Chaplain with the ball but the striker gave the ball too much altitude, when play switched ends a Millar corner was touched away by Ewings. The deadlock was broken in 33 minutes when Paatelainen headed a free-kick taken from close to the corner by former Rover Kevin McBride into the net.

A long McGhee shot was headed off the Cowdenbeath goal line by Millar as 'keeper Hay was stranded. A few minutes later Gordon Lennon was on the spot to intercept at his own 6 yard box, this led to Reid advancing down the park only ending when he himself was intercepted at the other end.

A strong Friel shot to 'keeper Hay and Jamie Ewings punching clear a Paatelainen attempt brought the first period to an end.

Half Time

Ryan McCallum was first to show willing in the second half when his run ended in a poor shot. In 51 minutes Rovers pulled level when Donachy took advantage of defensive ineptitude to slip the ball into the net from a tight angle.

On the hour mark McBride was once again the man to test the stopper was equal to his free-kick which rounded the wall, Ewings diving to make the save.

Buchanan hitting the ball wide and McCallum having a long range effort being saved preceded the Blue Brazil regaining the lead in 67 minutes. Buchanan was adjudged to have been brought down, rather softly and on the brink of the penalty area into the bargain. Up stepped Finn, Markus Paatelainen to take the penalty which Ewings tipped round the post for a corner. Before Rovers fans shouts of relief had died away the "wronged" Buchanan headed the resultant Millar corner onto the net.

Pushing for another equaliser substitute Tommy Lennox had his shot held by Hay within a minute of coming off the bench. The closing period saw Rovers pushing hard for an equaliser as evidenced by Ewings leaving his goal to join the pack awaiting a free-kick then corner in the homesters box.

Summary

Rovers were unlucky not to gain a point at Central Park but the fans were at least pleased by the attitude and spirited never say die performance of their side. Man of the match is yet again Gordon Lennon who although not mentioned much in the report was nearly always in the right place at the right time doing the right thing!

Cowdenbeath : Hay, Baxter,  McBride, Ward, Ritchie, Guy, Millar (Fusco 79), Paatelainen (Hill 85), McCallum, Jackson, Buchanan (Mauchlen 84). Subs Not Used : McGregor, Carlin.

Albion Rovers : Ewings, Black, McGhee (Wilson 86), Lennon, Donnelly,  Friel, Reid (Lennox 75), Chisholm (Sichi 75), Wallace, Chaplain, Donachy. Subs Not Used : Young, Creer.

Referee : Calum Murray 

Man of the Match - Gordon Lennon

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