Fife Cup v Cowdenbeath

This semi final of the Fife Cup was also a benefit match for the Mia Brett Fund. Lewis Spence (37) 0-1; Dean Brett (67) 1-1, Gavin McMillan (78) 1-2; Allan Smith (81 pen.) 1-3

COWDENBEATH 1 DUNFERMLINE 3

Mia Brett is the baby daughter of Gemma Porteous who lost her battle against cancer last month. The 22 year old was the partner of Cowdenbeath player Dean Brett. Match proceeds will be split equally between The Mia Brett Fund and the Fife Football Association.

The match was the semi-final of the Fife Cup and organised on an under 20 basis, which allows up to 5 over age players to be played. The Pars had defeated East Fife back in September to reach this stage and Raith Rovers who had disposed of Burntisland Shipyard in the other semi, awaited the winners. An attendance of 711 turned out, 142 more than were at Cowdenbeath's last home match against Queen of the South.

The Pars starting eleven included first team players: Ross Millen, Jim Paterson, Shaun Byrne, Lewis Spence, Allan Smith and Faissal El Bakhtaoui. A fair amount of interest was created pre match with the inclusion of a trialist at number seven. The 21 year old trialist was former Celtic youth Paul George, he lined up on the right side of midfield as Cowdenbeath kicked off with the Pars playing into the sun.

In fourth minute Millen lifted the ball into a crowded box from a free kick but Darren Brownlie headed away. The trialist impressed withg a couple of step overs before Dean Brett cut out his lay off towards Jim Paterson. Declan O'Kane headed Liam Callaghan's delivery behind to hand the hosts the first corner of the afternoon but the same player's cross from the right was low and cleared before it reached his captain John Armstrong.

On ten minutes a Lewis Toshney header back towards his keeper almost fooled him and there were gasps before the left glove of the keeper controlled the ball.

The Pars immediately went up the right and the trialist got in a cross from the byeline. His second bite at it travelled to El Bakhtaoui at the far post but his attempt was blocked. Pressure was maintained with trialist again providing for Smith at the near post but neither that nor a shot that followed failed to beat Jamie Sneddon.

Goodfellow held from Kyle Mitchell as he tried a 17th minute chip from the edge of the box. At the other end nice play from El Bakhtaoui created an opening for him to fire a shot at goal but his effort slid narrowly outside the left post.

El Bakhtaoui and the trialist kept up the pressure as Dunfermline dominated the opening half hour. They had enjoyed the bulk of the possession and looked more comfortable than their Championship opponents. A goal duly arrived eight minutes before the break.

A fierce cross from the right byeline by El Bakhtaoui was flicked by Byrne at the near post towards the net but the ball was played out for a corner on the right. Millen sent that into the right side of the box where SPENCE met it well to smash it right footed past Sneddon to the keeper's right.

Half Time: Cowdenbeath 0 Dunfermline 1

The second half started briskly with the trialist feeding the ball out to Millen and his cross picked out Spence at the near post but unluckily he could not get the shot in. On 56 minutes El Bakhtaoui received a clearance from Jim Paterson and expectations were raised as Smith broke on the right but the final pass was wayward and Sneddon collected.

Scott Mercer replaced Ross Millen in 63 minutes but it was the home side who were to alter things as the match entered its final quarter. A long clearance from their keeper from outside his box bounced towards the Pars box but Goodfellow waited on the 18 yard line and BRETT nipped in to clip the ball past him. 1-1

From their commanding position, the Pars fell out of it a little as Cowden threatened a revival but Paterson had a close one at the far post from a Scott Mercer free kick. Gavin McMILLAN replaced Faissal El Bakhtaoui on 75 minutes and within three more restored the Pars lead. It was a fantastic individual effort from the sub who twisted and turned past his marker and the keeper, showing great composure before sticking away a left footed effort from 15 yards out. 1-2

That was followed by a Pars penalty just three minutes later. Smith earned the decision and with Millen having been subbed assumed responsibility for the spot kick. SMITH struck the ball low into the right side of the goal for 3-1.

The final nine minutes were seen out comfortably to secure a final meeting against the Rovers.

- - Listen to John Potter`s post match comments

COWDENBEATH:Jamie Sneddon; Lewis Toshney, Darren Brownlie (Josh Thomson 71), John Armstrong (c), Kenny Adamson; Dean Brett (Jack Wright 68), Aron Lynas, Dale Finnie (Harvey Swan 60), Liam Callaghan, Kyle Mitchell, Josh Wilson.
SUBS NOT USED: Craig Brand, Ryan MacDonald, Greg Pearson, Robbie Thomson (GK)
SCORER: Brett (67)
YELLOW CARDS: Brownlie (28), Adamson (58)

DUNFERMLINE: Ryan Goodfellow; Ross Millen (Scott Mercer 63), Declan O'Kane, Stuart Urquhart, Jim Paterson; Trialist, Finn Graham (c), Shaun Byrne, Lewis Spence; Allan Smith (Cammy McClair 82), Faissal El Bakhtaoui (Gavin McMillan 75).
SUBS NOT USED: Jordan Orru, Cammy Gill (GK).
YELLOW CARD: O'Kane
SCORERS: Spence (37), McMillan (78), Smith (81 pen.)

REFEREE: Peter Stuart
WEATHER: Fine
ATTENDANCE: 711

NEXT MATCH: SPFL Development League (home) v Rangers
Monday 9th February 2015, kick off 2:00pm, at Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

The Pars Supporters have indicated that they should raise some funds to try to help Dean through this really difficult time, and the Board of the Pars Supporters' Trust (PST) have agreed to use their Bank Account to receive any donations which people want to give. PST have started a discussion with Cowdenbeath FC to see what else we can do to assist. Margaret Ross of the PST said "I am sure that Dean will be grateful for any financial or other support we can give him right now."

If you want to donate, you can transfer money to the PST account - please ensure that your reference is Dean Brett together with your name.

The PST bank details are :
Bank of Scotland
Sort Code : 80 06 55
A/C no : 00662309

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