Cowdenbeath come from behind to beat Gala Fairydean

COWDEN got their first Lowland League win of the season with an emphatic second half performance against Gala Fairydean on Saturday.

After turning around level with first-half wind advantage, the Blue Brazil were totally superior to the Borders side in the second 45.

They scored a couple of excellent goals and really should have had a lot more.

New signings, Shay Burke and Rhys Walker, were good contributors, as was skipper Robbie McNab and Olly Whyte in the central midfield area, and Jamie Docherty scored twice with excellent finishing.

Cowden skipper Robbie McNab was in fine form in the win over Gala. (Image: David Wardle)

Defensively Cowden played well against the gale force westerly wind in the second period, with player/coach Paul McLean and Jack Denham rock solid.

Sam Newman defended well at left-back and also pressed forward at will, posing the Gala defence all sorts of problems.

In three minutes Gala ‘keeper Sam Scott made a fine save from a McLean header, following a corner.

Cowden had the bulk of possession and Scott made a fine save from McNab’s header, then from the rebound Whyte’s shot was blocked by Calan Ledingham.

In the 16th minute the visitors took a shock lead when Danny Galbraith’s low drive eluded Cowden ‘keeper Josh Blair’s grasp and crossed the line.

Just past the half hour a fine lay-off from McLean set up McNab and his shot took a deflection before bouncing straight into Scott’s arms.

The Blues went a goal down and conceded a penalty but fought back to win comfortably against Fairydean. (Image: David Wardle)

Gala were awarded a penalty in the 37th minute when Liam Watt was pulled down in the box by Blair.

But the keeper redeemed himself by saving Kieran Dolan’s spot-kick. That proved the turning point and three minutes later the Blues levelled when Jamie Docherty’s well-struck effort gave the goalie no chance.

Just after the break a cross from the left deceived the Gala defenders and Docherty got his head to the ball but Scott held it under his bar. 

In the 58th minute the Fifers took the lead when a corner was not dealt with by the Fairydean defence, and Walker fired the ball into the net.

Then four minutes later the Blues got a third when visiting defender Ciaran Greene got in a fankle in his own box and his pass-back rolled into the open net.

Gala tried to get back into the game and with 20 minutes to go a Galbraith free-kick was held by Blair.

But in 77 minutes Cowden scored again when the defence failed to pick up Docherty who gave Scott no chance from 10 yards to seal the victory.

Cowdenbeath: Blair, Dunsmore (G MacPherson 61), Newman (Guiney 86), McLean, Denham (Kerr 86), McNab, Whyte, Burke (Sutherland 61), Healy, Docherty, Walker (Jordan 61).

Subs not used, Lynch.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: Scott, Lyons (Ocholi 58), Sneddon, Ledingham, Dougal (Beagley 84), Jacobs, Galbraith, Watt, Greene (Reilly 65), Hoggan, Dolan (Wylie 46).

Subs not used, Herdman, Maskrey and Murray.

Referee: Jamie McCunnie.

Attendance: 222.