Cowdenbeath 0 Raith Rovers 1

Premier Sports Cup

ANOTHER tight game between these two in the League Cup with Rovers holding out to claim the Group D points.

But in an all action second period at Central Park on Saturday, the Blue Brazil had several chances to take the points themselves, with Raith's veteran ‘keeper, Jamie MacDonald, pulling off a fantastic save from one of his own defenders!

There was a lot to impress the home fans in the 778 crowd, the first supporters at a home game since February 2020.

Cowdenbeath had new players Craig Thomson, Liam Buchanan, Bobby Barr, Cammy Gill and James Collins in their ranks, and all showed up well.

Thomson was a solid defender while Gill was assured between the sticks and made some good saves at key times, while Barr, who hasn’t played since early May, created problems for Rovers wide on the Blues’ left.

Liam Buchanan looked razor sharp and he and Kris Renton will be a handful for defences this season, while Collins came on after the break and made several positive runs from midfield.

There were no failures in the Cowden side and the central defensive partnership of Craig Barr and Jamie Todd kept the Rovers’ attacking threat pretty much in check.

In two minutes Rovers had a chance when a fine cross from Liam Dick was headed over by Christophe Berra.

Cowden responded when a pass by Thomson saw Liam Buchanan get into a good position but Raith defender Kyle Benedictus robbed him of getting in a shot.

In 18 minutes Rovers’ Brad Spence sent in a fierce 25 yarder which was brilliantly held by Gill but two minutes later the visitors went ahead.

Lewis VAUGHAN cut inside and curled the ball over Gill from 22 yards.

However, in 24 minutes Cowden striker Renton was hauled down on the edge of the Raith box and Thomson’s free-kick went inches over.

Rovers had the better of the possession and five minutes from the break an angled 20 yarder from Aidan Connolly brought out a fine save from home ‘keeper Gill and from the resultant corner Berra’s header came down off the home bar and the ball was booted clear by Thomson.

Cowden opened the second period on the attack and they forced three corners but MacDonald was not asked to make a save until the 50th minute when Renton’s head flick sent Liam Buchanan clear and the ‘keeper raced from his line to defy the striker’s challenge.

However, at the other end Connolly broke clear of Todd and his shot curled only inches wide.

On the hour Kyle Miller’s flick sent Liam Buchanan racing into the Rovers box and it took all MacDonald’s experience to thwart the front man seven yards out.

In 63 minutes it was Gill to the rescue for Cowdenbeath when he made a fine save from Vaughan’s low 18 yarder.

As the game started to stretch a long ball switched into the Rovers box saw Reghan Tumilty, in trying to clear, head the ball towards his own goal and MacDonald was at full stretch to put the ball out for a corner.

Then with 15 minutes left fine work by Renton created a gilt edged chance for Miller, but with only MacDonald to beat he clipped the ball wide.

Cowdenbeath: Cammy Gill (7); Ross Pollock (6) (Ross Clarke 61 (3)), Craig Thomson (7); Jamie Todd (7), Craig Barr (7), Kyle Miller (6); Robbie Buchanan (7) (James Collins 81 (2)), Kyle Hutton (7), Kris Renton (7), Liam Buchanan (7), Bobby Barr (6) (Harvey Swann 67 (3)). Subs not used, Craig Easton and Dave McGurn (gk).

Raith Rovers: MacDonald (7); Tumilty (6), Dick (6); Berra (7), Benidictus (7), Tait (6); Connolly (6) (McKay 84 (2)), Spencer (7), Vaughan (7), Zanatta (7) (Mitchell 84 (2), Poplatnik (6) (Keatings 70 (3)).

Referee: Gavin Duncan (6).

Attendance 778