Cowdenbeath kick off pre-season with victory over Gartcairn

Attendance - 137

Cowden claimed victory in their opening friendly against Gartcairn on Saturday.

Both sides, packed with trialists, put on a good show despite the blustery conditions.

Darren Downie, Cowden's new striker, made an immediate impact, creating several opportunities and testing the visiting goalkeepers.

Nat Wedderburn kept things ticking in midfield with some smart passing, while Raynond Reddington's crosses from the right posed a constant threat.

The Blues' defensive line, led by Jack Denham, held firm against the Gartcairn front line.

The match started with an early chance for Downie, whose shot was deflected onto the post by the Gartcairn keeper.

Gartcairn enjoyed a spell of possession but struggled to test the Cowden keeper.

Raymond Reddington sends the cross into the b ox which was deflected into the Gartcairn net. (Image: Jack Watson) The home side nearly took the lead in the 13th minute when a trialist midfielder fired just wide from 16 yards.

Gartcairn's trialist striker looked dangerous in the 22nd minute but was thwarted by a well-timed Denham tackle.

The visitors came close to breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark when Kamil Krol's free-kick landed on top of the Cowden net.

However, it was Cowden who took the lead nine minutes before the break when Ray Reddington's cross was turned into his own net by Calum Farrell.

Reddington is congratulated by his team mates after his fine work opened the door for the first goal. (Image: Jack Watson)

Gartcairn made four changes at half-time but it was Cowden who almost extended their lead immediately, only to be denied by a confident save from the trialist keeper.

Cowden's trialist right-back continued to impress, his low shot just before the hour mark kept out by the keeper.

Gartcairn equalised in the 61st minute when a defensive mix-up allowed their trialist number 14 to slot home from close range.

The visitors almost took the lead with 20 minutes remaining, only for Dion Gear to save a header.

But Cowden responded immediately, with Liam Watt converting from eight yards after Charlie Cowie had blocked Downie's shot.

Gartcairn's trialist striker, number 15, came close to levelling the scores again in the closing stages, his shot just clearing the bar.

Both teams used all their substitutes in the closing stages, but Cowden held firm to claim the win.

Cowdenbeath: Gear; Trialist, Newman, Wedderburn, Denham, Cameron, Reddington, Trialist, Downie, Ness, Watt. Subs used, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Fisher, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, and Trialist.

Gartcairn: Trialist (Cowie); Trialist, Trialist, Farrell, McDonald, Lyon, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Krol. Subs used, Trialist Armstrong, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist and Moore.

Referee - Jack Leslie.