Gala Fairydean Rovers 0, Cowdenbeath 5.

Cowden got off to a winning start in their first public appearance under new player/boss Colin Nish on the 3G surface at Netherdale on Saturday afternoon.

The player/boss played in the opening 45 minutes as his side raced into a three goal lead by the break.

Dean BRETT broke the deadlock with 15 minutes gone when he curled a 19 yard free-kick past the Gala keeper and two minutes later Trialist Luke Armstrong smashed the ball into the roof of the net after a great turn in the box.

With 33 minutes gone the ARMSTRONG got his second goal of the afternoon with a low diving header in the six yard box despite the efforts of a home defender to block on the line.

Cowdenbeath remained on top after the break with Craig Johnston forcing a fabulous one handed save from Gala ‘keeper Gregor Amos in the 50th minute but interval sub Greig Spence picked up the loose ball and cut back for JOHNSTON to net from close range.

After a number of substitutions SPENCE completed a productive afternoon for the Central Parkers with 16 minutes to go when he fired home from close range.

Cowdenbeath: Trialist ‘A’ (Trialist ‘E’); Dean Brett (Jack Wright), Trialist ‘B@; Brad Donaldson (Kenny Adamson), John Armstrong, Chris Kane (Liam Callaghan); Trialist ‘C’ (Trialist ‘F’), Declan Hughes (Pat Scullion), Colin Nish (Greig Spence), Trialist ‘D’ and Craig Johnston (Ryan McDonald).

Gala Fairydean Rovers: Trialist; Thomson, Guiney; Trialist, Stephen, Bonnar; Hope, Burdett, Clapperton, McColm and Noble.

REFEREE: Duncan Smith.