Dunfermline 2 Cowdenbeath 1

Saturday, 18th Sep 2010

IRN BRU First Division: no changes in Pars team. Dempster (7) 0-1, Bell (63) 1-1. Cardle (77) 2-1

MATCH PICTURES
Nearest neighbours Cowdenbeath returned to East End Park on league business for the first time in 17 years.  Jim McIntyre named an unchanged side for the second week running. Cowden who have already beaten Raith Rovers at Starks Park made one change from the side that won at Greenock the previous Saturday. Jimmy Nicholl played Joe Mbu in place of Tom O`Brien.

Cowdenbeath kick off defending their `end and within 70 seconds Joe Cardle almost breached that defence after Bell and Kirk had carved open a route through on the right side of the visitors box. Former Pars keeper Davie Hay did just enough to keep the Pars out.

Wilie Gibson swept over a sixth minute free kick into the opposition box but the visitors cleared that to hit on the break. Mark McKenzie travelled up the left to lace a square ball to Colin Cameron on the edge of the Pars penalty box and when he slipped the ball to John DEMPSTER to his right the centre forward was free to pick his spot and send Cowdenbeath into an early lead.

Dunfermline pushed up winning two corners in 12th minute.  The first was defended out to Cardle lying deep and the ball was played through Andy Dowie to Chris Higgins on the right. His delivery in to the feet of Andy Kirk was squeezed out for another corner but Bell headed that one over the bar after Gibson had delivered from the right.

Chris Smith tipped a Mark McKenzie over his crossbar and then in 15 minutes an Armstrong free kick was charged down. At the other end Gibson`s diagonal ball into the box for McDougall saw the Pars striker eased off the ball by Mark Baxter.

For ten minutes neither team made much impact in front of goal but the lead was enough to have the travelling support on their feet, chanting and singing. In contrast the Dunfermline Manager appeared to being going hoarse trying to tell Joe Cardle to stay wide. Gary Mason received treatment in 28 minutes but the home support were growing increasingly quieter.

Dempster got a back flick on to a long throw from Scott Linton but the ball sailed across the face of the Pars goal for McCann to take away. Mason slid into a pass from McKenzie taking the ball away from Cameron but Referee Charlie Richmond awarded a free kick and from that Adamson floated the ball for Armstrong at the far post but his header dropped outside the left upright.

A Craig Winter foul on Mason then handed Gibson a free kick 40 yards out.  He touched that left for McCann to fire low into the feet of McDougall 15 yards out but when Mason eventually got the shot in it was blocked.  David Hay was then out fast to grab a Cardle cross but as half time approached a sense of urgency arrived in the Pars team.

Steven Bell fed Gibson the ball 25 yards out but the former Killie man just sent the ball into Hay`s arms. Cowdenbeath were pegged back deep into their own half but there was no way through their defences.  Play was deep inside the Cowden half but after numerous passes and searches for an opening a Cardle dink into the box was taken by Hay. Into added time at the end of the first half and a Gibson free kick was easily cleared. Jeers and whistles rang in the Pars players ears as they made their way in for the break.

Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Cowdenbeath 1

It was a late start to the second half following a re-enactment of the Dunfermline v Valencia 6-2 match at the interval. Pat Clarke replaced Steven McDougall for the second half.  Early play was all towards the Cowden goal.  In 48 minutes McCann looked as though he had too much weight on his cross to the far post but Bell headed the ball back along the goaline for Hay to touch over. The ensuing corner gave the visitors problems but they scrambled the ball away.

Woods thrashed a Kirk cut back well wide in 52 minutes but with five men strung along the back it was increasingly difficult for the Pars.  McCann made a breakthrough in 56 minutes, getting the better of right back, Baxter to reach the byeline but Bell headed the cross into Hay`s arms.  Cardle curled a long distance attempt outside the right post.

In 59 minutes a Cardle pass for Kirk to run on to was thumped behind by Adamson but nothing could be made of the corner. It was one way traffic with Chris Smith a lonely soul midway inside his own half. Bell nodded a cross behind him for Cardle in 63 minutes but the offside flag was up.  Within the minute however the goal that had been threatening was duly delivered. Calum Woods` cross from the right wing was headed back across goal by Cadrle and this time BELL`s header was unstoppable. 1-1.

Gibson broke free up the right in 69 minutes, his cross was blocked, Mason then picked out Cardle but the hard pressed defence was not to give in again so fast.  Nick Phinn replaced Mason and there were some sweet exchanges between Kirk, Clarke and Cardle but still nothing to tax Hay. Then in 77 minutes Kirk looked as though he had missed a glorious chance to put the Pars ahead for the first time in the game.  The ball whizzed in from the right and the Pars top goalscorer failed to connect but CARDLE was right behind him and he powered a left footed effort in at the left goalpost.

Lee Sibanda came on for Craig Winter and in 85 minutes Gibson won the ball off him in midfield to drive in on goal. The pass to Kirk on his left looked a certainty but Hay saved and then the same again next minute when this time it was Phinn who was laid the chance on a plate but he blasted the ball into the McCathie Stand.

Clarke played Kirk through in 87 minutes but Hay was out well to stop the Irishman again at the edge of his area. It was certainly no easy victory for Dunfermline, there are no easy matches in this league.

With Dundee holding league leaders Raith to a goalless draw at Dens Park, the 2-1 win takes Jim McIntyre`s team to the top of the table.

DUNFERMLINE: Chris Smith; Calum Woods, Andy Dowie, Chris Higgins, Austin McCann (c); Willie Gibson, Steven Bell, Gary Mason (Nick Phinn 72), Joe Cardle; Andy Kirk, Steven McDougall (Pat Clarke HT)
SUBS NOT USED: Alex Keddie, Alex Burke, Kyle Allison (GK)
SCORERS: Bell (63), Cardle (77)

COWDENBEATH: David Hay; Mark Baxter, John Armstrong, Joe Mbu, Kenny Adamson; Scott Linton, Mark Ramsay (Brian Fairbairn 78), Colin Cameron, Craig Winter (Lee Sibanda 82), Marc McKenzie, John Dempster (Greg Stewart 82).
SUBS NOT USED: Dean Brett, Ludovic Roy (GK).
SCORERS: Dempster (7)
YELLOW CARD: Baxter (91), Cameron (92)

REFEREE: Charlie Richmond
WEATHER: Sunny 16C
ATTENDANCE 4316

NEXT MATCH: (away) Co-operative Insurance Cup v Rangers
Tuesday 20th September 2010, kick off 7:45pm

Views : 3,807

© 2024 ParsTV and Dunfermline Athletic

Match Photos To Follow.

Preview Cowdenbeath

Wednesday, 15th Sep 2010

Of the last ten league meetings Dunfermline have won eight but this is a local derby and everyone knows history and the form book can go ou

It has been over 17 years since Cowdenbeath last met Dunfermline in a league match. That was back on May Day 1993 and that season in matches between the teams, the Pars scored 11 goals to Cowden`s 6.  The Central Park club took only 13 points from their 44 matches.  It was still just two points for a win that season but the change would only have added another three points.  One of the three games that Cowdenbeath won was at East End Park after they had already been relegated.

Cowdenbeath`s rise to the First Division came after promotion in consecutive seasons. After Livingston`s demise and subsequent ejection to the Third Division had given them a place in Division Two for last season and after a great season under Danny Lennon it looked like they had bottled it by letting Stirling Albion in to win the league. But play off wins over Alloa Athletic and Brechin City meant promotion to the First Division beside their Fife counterparts Dunfermline and Raith Rovers.

Milestones Cowdenbeath (Home)
Last League Victory	19/12/92	4-1	First Div
Last League Defeat	01/05/93	0-2	First Div
Best League Victory	19/09/53	5-3	Second Div
Worst League Defeat	20/09/47	3-4	Div B Two
*Pre league reconstruction

Dunfermline`s league record against Cowdenbeath reveals 26 wins and 26 defeats with 14 draws. Of the last ten league meetings Dunfermline have won eight but this is a local derby and everyone knows history and the form book can go out the window.

Last Ten League Meetings
1992/93
01/05/93	Dunfermline	0-2	Cowdenbeath	First Division
13/02/93	Cowdenbeath	1-2	Dunfermline	First Division
19/12/92	Dunfermline	4-1	Cowdenbeath	First Division
05/08/92	Cowdenbeath	2-5	Dunfermline	First Division

1985/86
15/03/86	Cowdenbeath	0-2	Dunfermline	Second Division
05/03/86	Cowdenbeath	0-1	Dunfermline	Second Division
31/08/85	Dunfermline	3-2	Cowdenbeath	Second Division

1984/85
02/03/85	Dunfermline	1-2	Cowdenbeath	Second Division
17/11/84	Cowdenbeath	0-1	Dunfermline	Second Division
15/09/84	Dunfermline	2-1	Cowdenbeath	Second Division

Jimmy Nicholl was appointed Cowdenbeath Manager after Lennon went to St Mirren and progress has been impressive.  The Blue Brazil sit fourth having taken nine points out of the first twelve.

League Form 

Dunfermline	Cowdenbeath
Current League Position
2	4
League Points
12	9
Goal Difference
+7	0
Last 5-Match League Form
WWLWW	LWLWW
League Record
P5, W4, D0, L1	P4, W3, D0, L2

Not counting the penalty shoot out knock out by Queen of the South, Dunfermline are unbeaten this season at East End Park while Cowdenbeath have won both their away games in this season`s First Division.

Form this season home / away matches
Dunfermline (home)				Cowdenbeath (away)
Dundee	W	3-1		Morton	W	2-1
Clyde	W	3-2		Stirling Albion	W	3-1
Morton	W	2-0		Ayr United	L	0-2
Queen of the South	D	1-1		Clyde	L	1-2
Arbroath	W	5-2		Raith Rovers	W	1-0
Arbroath	W	1-0

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE: Chris Smith; Calum Woods, Andy Dowie, Chris Higgins, Austin McCann (c); Willie Gibson, Steven Bell, Gary Mason (Nick Phinn 71), Joe Cardle; Andy Kirk, Steven McDougall (Pat Clarke 68).
SUBS NOT USED: Alex Keddie, Alex Burke, Kyle Allison (GK)

COWDENBEATH: David Hay; John Armstrong (Joe Mbu 46), Kenny Adamson, Mark Baxter, Scott Linton, Mark Ramsay, Colin Cameron, Craig Winter, Tom O`Brien (Lee Sibanda 75), Marc McKenzie, John Dempster (Greg Stewart 78).
SUBS NOT USED:  Paul Byrne, Ludovic Roy (GK).

Gary Mason is the sole survivor from the team that defeated Cowdenbeath in the League Cup in both 2002 and 2003.  Pat Clarke will be up against another of his former clubs and hopefully he can score like he did against Dundee.  The visitors goalkeeper David Hay was at Dunfermline as a youth as was Lee Sibanda but the nearest he got to the first team was cleaning Scott Thomson`s boots.

Views : 3,891