Cowdenbeath 2, Clyde 1.

William Hill Scottish Cup round two

Attendance-384

A BATTLING performance saw Cowden oust Clyde to make the third round of the William Hill Scottish Cup for the first time in three years.

The Bully Wee have been in the top four of Ladbrokes League 2 in the first quarter of this season so this was always going to be a tough game at Central Park on Saturday.

But the Blues dug deep, like against Stirling, and were worth their win.

The Cowden midfield did well enough in the first period, with Kyle Miller and Blair Malcolm, prominent but after the break things changed.

The Bully Wee started to take over and they started to create a lot of pressure and David Marsh and Jamie Pyper had to work really hard.

Harvey Swann also had a good first hour on the left hand side but he too faded out of the game .

It all meant that the visitors got more and more of the ball and had periods of pressure late in the game but the Blues held on for a good win.

Clyde threatened in five minutes when Barry Cuddihy’s cross gave Jack Boyle a clear chance but a good Pyper challenge took the pace of his shot and Dave McGurn held the ball.

The hosts took the lead in nine minutes when from Fraser Mullen’s free-kick Robbie DEAS escaped his marker to head past Blair Currie.

Then Swann beat two defenders and his left wing cross set up David Cox but his shot was blocked by former Blues skipper Scott Rumsby.

However, in 16 minutes Abdel Belmokhtar got in a shot and McGurn did well to grab the ball.

Clyde started to dominate possession and the Cowdenbeath defence had to work hard to preserve the lead and in 33 minutes the visitors came close through a Tom Lang 12 yarder which flew just over. Then Belmokhtar’s 25 yarder deflected off Marsh for a corner.

Clyde looked to get back into the game at the start of the second period and a Cuddihy cross looked dangerous but Marsh headed clear. Then a Ross Lyons free forced a punched save from McGurn.

At the other end Cox set up Malcolm whose low 16 yard drive was blocked by Martin McNiff.

However, soon after Lyons fired in a 25 yarder which McGurn held at the second attempt, then in 62 minutes a fine Jordyn Sheerin cross had Currie in trouble but Martin Scott could not capitalise on the situation.

Seven minutes from time COX grabbed number two when sub Kris Renton’s cross was expertly finished by the attacker from six yards.

But four minutes later Clyde pulled one back when Lyons’ cross was well finished by GOODWILLIE from six yards but Cowdenbeath held on.

Cowdenbeath: Dave McGurn (7); Fraser Mullen (6), Robbie Deas (7); David Marsh (7), Jamie Pyper (6), Kyle Miller (7); David Cox (8), Blair Malcolm (7), Jordyn Sheerin (7) (Kris Renton 66 (4)), Martin Scott (6), Harvey Swann (7). Subs not used, Pat Scullion, Harris Kay, Robbie Buchanan and Ryan Goodfellow.

Clyde: Currie (7); Cuddihy (7) (Lamont 77 (3)), Lang (6) (Love 71 (3)); McNiff (6), Rumsby (6), Grant (7); Lyons (6), Rankin (7), Goodwillie (7), Boyle (7) (McStay 58 (3)), Belmokhtar (7). Subs not used, Gorman, Stewart, Nicholl and McGee.

Referee-Graham Beaton (6)