League Division Two, Central Park

Cowdenbeath 6 East Fife 2

 

 

 

 

East Fife displayed their poorest form of the season at Central Park, and received a deserved drubbing from the Blue Brazil. In the first half, the home side dominated, and could have been further ahead than by the single counter. The Fifers equalised against the run of play in the second; and threatened to take the game by the scruff of the neck for all of one minute before falling behind again. From then, an embarrassing collapse put Cowdenbeath out of sight. This game was over as a contest long before the final whistle, which couldn't come quickly enough for the shell-shocked away support.

 

The first half was characterised by Cowdenbeath being on the front foot, and creating many chances, particularly from Droudge. He rampaged down the right wing on numerous occasions, setting up Wardlaw for several efforts at goal; Brown making a number of good saves. The Fifers, meanwhile, were largely limited to long balls fired to an isolated McManus. The Fifers' first corner on the half-hour mark saw Muir's header tipped round the post by Hay.

 

On 35 minutes, the Blue Brazil deservedly took the lead - a short free kick to Stein 22 yards out saw him curl it into the far corner past a helpless Brown. Minutes later the Fifers were almost level - a good through ball by Muir to McManus was nicked off the captain's toe by Hay.

 

 

 

Into the second half, and the Fifers grabbed an equaliser with a great move - Lowing ran at the defence on 52 minutes; played wide to McManus; who crossed for Crawford to head home at the near post. Self belief appeared momentarily, as the Fifers pushed forward. When a foul on Crawford was ignored by Mr Brines, however, the team switched off; the home side swept down the right wing; a simple cross; and a Wardlaw header restored the lead.

 

When Muir gave the ball away in midfield on the hour mark, a cross was fired home low by McQuade to start a ten minute goal-fest - McGregor fired a snap shot home from 18 yards; McManus cheekily pulled one back by collecting a short back-pass and rounding the keeper; Ramsay restored the advantage from close in with the defence posted missing; then Stein completed the rout by firing home from another cross.

 

 

 

The home side was now on easy street, and the final twenty minutes were somewhat painful. The Fifers, nevertheless, managed three decent efforts - a Crawford through ball to Young which was blocked; a mazy Nugent run through the defence; and a late Cargill shot that went wide. It was all, however, too little, too late.

 

Cowdenbeath: Hay, Armstrong, Linton, McGregor, Droudge, Mbu, Ramsay, McQuade [Fairbairn 76], Wardlaw [Dempster 74], Winter [Baxter 71], Stein. Subs not used: Bower, Robertson.

 

East Fife: Brown, Murdoch, Campbell [Cargill 64], Nugent, Lowing [Linn 58], Ovenstone, Crawford, McCunnie, McManus [Conway 78], Muir, Young. Subs not used: Baillie, Fagan.

 

Referee: I Brines

 

Booked: Wardlaw [C]