Cowden stretch lead to four points
Published 15 Feb 2012 08:00
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Cowdenbeath 3,
Albion Rovers 0.
Barrs Irn Bru Second Division.
Attendance 302.
A BLISTERING first-half performance on Tuesday night ensured Cowden are going to Arbroath on Saturday as leaders of the division by four points.
The Blue Brazil were three goals up inside the first 25 minutes leaving relegation threatened Rovers facing a damage limitation exercise after the break.
The home side took their foot off the pedal in the second period but they still had chances to score several more goals in another very good home performance.
Lewis Coult was on target yet again as was Marc McKenzie and the duo caused the Coatbridge rearguard no end of problems.
At the other end of the park Dean Brett came back into the first team arena for the first time since September through David Cowan's injury and played well.
He defended solidly and spent much of the game bombing forward to help out his front men and was rightly chosen as the sponsors' man of the match.
Skipper Jon Robertson was a really effective force in this game and along with Gary Fisher controlled the midfield.
Cowdenbeath were in charge from the first whistle and in nine minutes they took the lead. Brett and McKenzie worked a one-two out on the right and Brett's pass sent Robertson scurrying into the Rovers' box and his pass was blasted home by COULT from six yards.
Albion threatened in 18 minutes when Chris Boyle's cross found Tony Stevenson and his 12 yard finish rolled just wide.
But two minutes later Cowden doubled their lead. Robertson was again the provider, with a lovely pass which sent McKENZIE clear and his fierce 13 yarder gave Chris Fahey no chance.
Albion were under the cosh and in 24 minutes Mark Ramsay's fierce shot was deflected for a corner. From McKenzie's set piece delivery COULT rose to headed strongly into the net.
Albion looked shell-shocked and were under pressure for periods but Ryan McStay lifted their gloom in 37 minutes with a 30 yarder which went just wide but Fisher ended a good home move with an 18 yarder which Fahey was happy to see go off target.
The second-half saw Albion open well and McKay twice threatened with good crosses, the second of which Thomas Flynn had to punch clear with John Gemmell threatening.
In 52 minutes Robertson took McKenzie's pass and saw his left foot shot go past the post and then a corner from substitute Liam Cusack saw John Armstrong head just over.
To their credit Albion were attacking as often as they could and Gemmell took a slack pass from sub Greg Stewart and ran clear only to see Flynn pull off a great diving save.
Then with three minutes left Steve Canning hit the home bar but it was simply not their night.
Cowdenbeath: Flynn; Brett, Adamson; Fisher, Armstrong, Mbu; McKenzie (Cusack 72), Robertson (Milne 82), Ramsay, Coult (Stewart 60), Lyle. Subs not used, Linton and Bejaoui.
Albion Rovers: Fahey; Reid, Halsman; McStay (Chaplain 64), O'Byrne, Donnelly; McKay (Werndly 62), Canning, Gemmell, Stevenson, Boyle (Love 76). Subs not used, Marriott and Trialist.
Referee-Steve O'Reilly.
This article appeared in Central Fife Times 15 Feb 12
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