Cowdenbeath FC slip to home defeat to Broxburn Athletic

Lowland League

Cowdenbeath FC suffered their first home defeat of the season after a poor second-half performance against Broxburn Athletic.

The hosts got off to a great start and led at half-time, but Broxburn began to cause problems for the Blue Brazil just before the break.

Cowdenbeath were 1-0 up at half time (Image: David Wardle) Athletic equalised just a minute into the second half and gained momentum, creating several chances before scoring the decisive second goal with 15 minutes remaining.

The defeat was a result of a lacklustre display by Cowdenbeath, who lacked the threat they showed in previous home fixtures against Bo'ness United and Bonnyrigg Rose.

They allowed Broxburn too much freedom to create chances around their penalty area.

Bad defending in the second half had Cowdenbeath ship two late goals (Image: David Wardle) Cowdenbeath faced a Broxburn squad featuring several former Blue Brazil players, including former skipper Jon Robertson, Jamie Docherty, Matty McDonald, Euan MacPherson, and Andy Rodden.

The home side took the lead after just 44 seconds when Jack Denham headed home from a corner forced by Max Williamson.

Athletic's Greg Page tested Cowdenbeath's returning goalkeeper Owen Hayward in the 16th minute, before Christopher O'Kane fired inches over the bar from 12 yards out.

A superb tackle by Harvey Petrie denied Errol Douglas eight yards out in the 24th minute, while Hayward made a fine fingertip save from Docherty's curling 20-yarder at the half-hour mark.

Cowdenbeath scored a goal in the first minute of the game (Image: David Wardle) Hayward also saved well from Kyle Bell on the stroke of half-time.

However, a minute into the second half, the visitors equalised when Cowdenbeath's defence failed to deal with a corner, allowing Robertson to score from close range.

Broxburn's Marcus Lavery tested Hayward with a 30-yard shot on the hour mark, and seconds later, Cowdenbeath's Zac Tomany forced a fine diving save from Michael Andrews.

Broxburn have many former Cowdenbeath players on their team (Image: David Wardle) The visitors looked the better side in the second half, and in the 75th minute, a defensive slip allowed veteran striker Douglas too much space to score from close range.

Substitutes Tomany and Nathan Lawson went close to equalising for Cowdenbeath, but they should not have allowed Broxburn so much possession in the second period.

Attendance - 243

Cowdenbeath: Hayward; Adamson, Newman, Petrie, Denham, Wedderburn (McLean 61), Williamson, Allan, Downie (Tomany 46), McDowell (Ness 61), Watt (Mauchin79). Subs not used, Cameron and Gear (gk)

Broxburn Athletic: Andrews; McGale, Page, Robertson, O’Kane, Gormley, Docherty, (McDonald 84) Lavery (Rodden 69), McCrory-Irving (Locke 69), Douglas (MacPherson 84), Bell (Kennedy 61) ll. Subs not used, Thomson and Watt (gk).

Referee-Lewis Hogarth.