Misfiring Cowden take point from windy Gayfield

Published 20 Apr 2010 16:29 0 Comments

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Arbroath 1, Cowdenbeath 1

COWDENBEATH again blew enough chances to have won this game and their misfiring form is posing problems for them in the run-in.

Like at Peterhead the week before Cowden had lots of possession and they made some good opportunities but a mixture of off target finishing and and fine goalkeeping from Arbroath's Darren Hill left the Fifers happy to take a point.

Cowden made a few changes for this one with Mark Baxter resuming at right back and Mark Ramsay appearing in a wide midfield role. Baxter had a solid game and spent a lot of time linking with his midfield and forwards and on the other side Kenny Adamson also tried to get forward as much as possible.

John Armstrong and Joe Mbu spent a lot of time foraging forward as well but a strong wind meant that they had to concentrate hard when defending to give David Hay maximum protection.

The midfield was in control for long spells with Craig Winter and Darren McGregor again powerhouses and the width provided by Ramsay and Scott McBride stretched Arbroath repeatedly.

Gareth Wardlaw hit the net but fellow front man Paul McQuade has found a barren spell.

Cowden made the early running but Arbroath, needing points to avoid the relegation play-offs, were well organised defensively.

McQuade fired wide from a Winter pass and then Wardlaw had a clear sight of Hill but could not convert.

Arbroath were not posing that many problems for Hay although Keith Gibson fired over after good work from the home lot.

Cowden looked dangerous again when from a set piece McGregor fired in a header which hit the top of the Lichties bar.

Arbroath were working hard in midfield to deny the Fifers space but they had a few moments of promise and in 41 minutes they got the breakthrough.

Robbie Ross sent over a decent cross which hit a defender and the ball fell to GIBSON who sent a low drive wide of Hay.

Cowden were facing the same story as the week before, having had most of the game and finding themselves trailing, but they started the second-half well and Wardlaw and McQuade both went close.

Arbroath defended well but with their midfield falling out of the picture it was the Fifers who dominated.

Mbu and McGregor threatened from every set piece and the pair were involved in the equalising goal in the 75th minute.

Hill responded magnificently to turn away Mbu's effort for a corner and when McBride's cross came over McGregor rose to nod the ball down where WARDLAW was waiting to shoot home from close in.

This set up a grandstand finish as the Fifers swarmed all over the desperate Lichties and Hill saved from substitute Jay Stein and Wardlaw and then the big striker almost grabbed a late winner with a great finish which brought out an equally brilliant stop from Hill.

Cowden never gave up and kept trying to prise out the winner but the gallant home team managed to hold on for a point which gives them a chance of safety.

Arbroath: Hill; McGuire, Rattray; Moyes, Rennie (McIlravey 77), Gibson (McLean 64); Redman, Booth, McCulloch, Ross (Nimmo 88), Doris. Subs not used, Morrison and McLaughlin.

Cowdenbeath: Hay; Armstrong, Adamson (Stein 80); McGregor, Baxter, Mbu; Ramsay (Dempster 74), McQuade, Wardlaw, Winter (Robertson 71), McBride. Subs not used, Bower and Fairbairn.

Referee-Steve O'Reilly. Attendance-488.

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