Match Report - By Steven Mew

The question has to be asked…is there ever a dull game between ourselves and the Blue Brazil at Glebe Park? Prior to yesterday’s match, a mammoth 19 goals had been scored in the last two matches between the sides at Glebe Park and the goal-fest yesterday afternoon certainly added to that impressive tally. Both sets of supporters should make sure that they attend the match at Glebe Park later in the season where City and Cowden will battle it out again in the league.

Strangely, City have only played Cowden once this season but will play each other twice in the space of a week as City go down to Central Park in the Scottish Cup next Saturday. The ‘Blue Brazil’ had started the season brilliantly when City came calling in August but a superb performance from O’Neill’s boys saw them emerge victorious with a 3-1 victory. On the score-sheet that day were Paddy Connolly (2) and Grant Johnson.

City had to make-do without central defenders Scott Walker and John Ward. Walker sustained an ankle ligament injury in the game against Peterhead last Saturday and had to be stretchered off. Meanwhile, former Cowden defender John Ward was still not fully fit but will return to the side very soon as he is making considerable progress. However, another former Cowdenbeath favourite in the shape of David White returned to the side after suspension and he paired up with Ross Archibald in the heart of defence.

Striker Iain Russell was hoping to keep up his excellent recent form as he has almost scored as many goals as he has started matches. He partnered up with Steven Hampshire upfront and the pair didn’t give the visitors rearguard a moments peace all afternoon with their direct running and clever interchanges.

Cowdenbeath named 3 former City players in their 16 man squad in the shape of David Hay, David Hannah and Martyn Fotheringham. David Hay was of course a significant player in many of our own successes in recent years while David Hannah made a sterling contribution in our side towards the end of last season. City fans will recall Martyn Fotheringham’s loan spell to us from St Johnstone and especially his final appearance at Hamilton, which clinched our back-to-back promotions.

The pitch was very soft before the match and conditions got worse as the game went on but to both teams credit, they both tried to play passing football but in the closing stages had to resort to a long ball game.

City started the game brightly and opened the scoring at the exact same time as they did up at Peterhead last Saturday. Callaghan was the provider of the goal up at Peterhead and it was ‘Call’ who netted the early goal yesterday. ‘Call’ controlled the ball on the edge of the box and struck a shot with his weaker right foot which crept into the far corner, with former City keeper David Hay slow in getting across his goal.

Despite the poor state of the playing field, City played some fantastic one-touch football and Iain Russell came close to doubling the advantage when he put clean through on goal but he was denied by the legs of David Hay.

Five minutes later came close again. Charlie King played a ball into the path of Steven Hampshire and the striker back heeled the ball to King who had continued his run but the winger’s powerful shot screwed wide of the goal.

City kept up the pressure and came close again when Darren Smith threaded a pass through for Iain Russell near the by-line but the on form striker’s effort was saved by Hay at the near post. Charlie King vented his anger at Russell as he had made space for himself on the edge of the box, and this would have been a better option.

The game wasn’t as one-sided as you may think however, as Cowdenbeath squandered a number of very good chances at the other end which they really should have converted.

Brechin were dealt a sucker punch a minute before the break when the visitor’s equalised after a series of corners. A cross from the right was headed in at the back post by Innes Ritchie with the City defence in disarray.

The referee blew for half time almost immediately after the re-start and after City looking so comfortable for much of the half, the game was now level and it was now all to play for in the second period.

Eight minutes into the second half the visitors had a penalty claim turned down when troublesome striker Markus Paaterlainen went down under the challenge of Craig Nelson who had committed himself, but the referee felt the striker had dived and gave him a yellow card for his troubles, much to the fury of the visiting support.

Barely a couple of minutes later City went up the park and put themselves in front for the second time. Steven Hampshire made a clever run down the right hand side before drilling a low ball across goal for Iain Russell who sneaked in at the post and he slammed the ball into the net from a couple of yards out.

City nearly went two in front when David White headed in a cross from the left hand side but the goal was chalked off for shoving in the area.

The home side did eventually make it 3-1 with 20 minutes left when Iain Russell played a short pass to Steven Hampshire inside the box and the striker swivelled on the ball before slamming the ball underneath Hay to put the game beyond doubt.

Cowden manager Brian Welsh made a double substitution just a few minutes after the goal with former City midfielder Martyn Fotheringham replacing Patrick Scullion and Laurie Ellis made way for Scott Dalziel as the Fife side tried to get back into the match. City gaffer Michael O’Neill also made a switch five minutes later with youngster Matt Flynn coming on for Charlie King, who put in a good shift and was duly applauded by the City supporters in attendance.

The Blue Brazil did give themselves hope when they pulled a goal back 10 minutes from time. A whipped in cross from the right hand side was headed into the far corner by Markus Paaterlainen and now City would have to battle hard if they were to come away with all 3 points.

The visitors pushed forward at every opportunity and while they gave the City defence a few scares, Nelson was rarely threatened in the City goal.

Steven Hampshire, who put in arguably his best performance of the season, was replaced in closing stages by the experienced Paddy Connolly who is an expert in holding the ball up.

The home side defended in numbers but every time they came forward on the counter attack, they looked like causing damage and they put the icing on the cake in stoppage time with a 4th goal. Kevin Byers collected a pass in midfield and he went on a solo run which saw him beat several defenders, before curling the ball beautifully into the far corner to wrap up all three points.

Overall, it was another fantastic performance by City and one wonders where Brechin would be in the table if they started the season off like this! City have built up a comfortable 9 point gap between themselves and Cowdenbeath in the play-off’s. With Stirling losing away at Stranraer, the gap between ourselves and the Bino’s has been reduced to 8 points and on current form City will continue to push the Bino’s all the way for second place.

It was an excellent way to end our centenary season and City will be looking to pick up another victory as local rivals Forfar Athletic make the short trip to Glebe Park on Tuesday. Supporters are reminded that the game kicks off at 3pm. Forfar are currently rooted to the bottom of the table after a 2-0 defeat to Alloa yesterday.

While Forfar Athletic have had a difficult season so far, they have shown in our previous meetings that they still possess enough to hurt teams, wherever they are sitting in the league table.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Alloa Athletic 2 Forfar Athletic 0

Forfar brought back down to earth after their win against Stranraer last weekend.

Ayr United 0 Morton 1

The league leaders record a narrow win at Somerset.

Raith Rovers 5 Peterhead 2

Raith record an emphatic win against struggling Peterhead.

Stranraer 2 Stirling Albion 1

Stirling's long unbeaten run comes to an abrupt end.