League Division Two, Bayview Stadium

East Fife 1 Cowdenbeath 1

 

 

 

 

For the third Saturday in a row, the Fifers fell behind, to then draw level and take a point; in this, the first league derby of the season. To add to the sense of deja vu, yet again the wind was to play a major factor - Cowdenbeath had wind-assisted domination in the first half; the Fifers fought back in the second. Throw in a hatful of chances at either end, and we had an engrossing match.

 

East Fife raced out of the blocks from kick-off; Linn crossing from wide for Muir to head inches wide. Four minutes later, Young burst into the box, but his pass to Campbell went behind the winger. From that point, Cowdenbeath took advantage of the wind, to start putting the Fifers under pressure. The home side were struggling to put passes together, and cracked in the 13th minute - Stein whipped in a corner to the near post, where the ball eluded two defenders, and Brown found himself vainly grabbing it behind the goal-line. Moments later, the ex-Fifer sent a free kick a yard wide of Brown's post.

 

 

 

For the next period it was all Cowdenbeath - McQuade beat Brown to the ball, but sent the ball wide; Nugent brilliantly blocked a Stein piledriver; then Wardlaw headed over from 6 yards. The Fifers did manage, however, to create two great chances - Linn sent Crawford free, but his atempted chip landed straight in Hay's arms; then Young whipped in a cross, which Crawford guided just over the bar. The half time whistle must have sounded sweet to the Fifers after facing that strong wind.

 

With the following wind after the break, it was the Fifers turn to rack up the pressure - Ovenstone's shot was saved after a Muir knock-down; a Smart header was also saved; then sub McManus had two efforts blocked. When Hay tipped a long-range effort from Crawford over the bar on 69 minutes, the equaliser was at last to follow. Linn's corner was met by Staunton heading into the six-yard box, where McManus found the space to head past Hay from two yards.

 

 

 

The Fifers pressed for the winner - another Linn shot was tipped over by Hay; then a couple of offsides seemed to take the wind out of the Fifer's sails. The Blue Brazil fought back; the Fifers on the back foot again - although the closest was a Stein shot which hit the side netting. A final assault by the home side then saw three consecutive corners in the 90th minute, then a Nugent 30 yarder that slipped past the post.

 

Another draw then; and a sturdy but fair game which belied the many yellow cards brandished. An international break now follows; before tough trips to Peterhead and Stirling - more draws in prospect?

 

East Fife: Brown, Nugent, Ovenstone, Fagan, Smart, Staunton, Linn, Muir[McManus 58], Crawford[Sheerin 79], Young, Campbell[Cargill 67]. Subs not used: McRae, Baillie.

 

Cowdenbeath: Hay, Baxter, Adamson, Winter, Droudge, Mbu, Fairbairn[Dempster 83], McQuade[Ramsay 90], Wardlaw, Robertson, Stein. Subs not used: McBride, Linton, McKay.

 

Referee: S McDonald

 

Booked: Fagan, Smart, Ovenstone, Cargill, Linn [EF] Fairbairn, McQuade [C]