Win at Cliftonhill will make it a Merry Christmas for Cowdenbeath

The Blues’ win over the Wee Jambos pushed them on to 23 points from their 18 games and they sit  bang in the middle of the Lowland League, but wins over Albion Rovers, and East Stirlingshire, at the Falkirk Stadium on Tuesday, would push them into the top half of the table.

The manager was delighted with the way his young side handled the stormy conditions on Friday night.

He said: “The wind was really fierce, but with it in the first period we created a lot of good chances, and then facing the elements in the second-half, we still got forward and made four or five good openings.

“If there was a disappointment, it was that we did not convert more of these, but in saying that we handled things defensively well as a team, in the second-half, and limited Hearts in terms of good openings.

“It was good to get a win and now we have to look to build on that when we go to meet Albion Rovers at Coatbridge on Saturday.”

He added: “Rovers are a decent side, with some really useful attacking players so we will have to be at our best to get the result we want.

“There were a couple of minor knocks from Friday night’s game, but I am hopeful that we will have a full squad to choose from for the Albion Rovers game.”

One player who will not be available is full-back, Scott Walker, who has joined West Premiership side, Darvel, until the end of the season on loan.

With central defender Jack Duncan also out on loan at Johnstone Burgh, Cowden are a little light on defenders presently, but Jack Tait’s recent form since coming into the side at left-back, has been encouraging for the manager.

As 2024 starts Cowdenbeath will have two important cup ties coming up.

They have been drawn away to University of Stirling in the Lowland League Cup, which may be played on Saturday, January 20; while on Saturday February 3 they will entertain Lowland League leaders East Kilbride in the South Challenge Cup fifth round.