Blues pay for missed chances

Published 25 Jan 2012 08:00 0 Comments

Jump to first paragraph.

Share this

click to enlarge
An action shot of Greg Stewart who missed a good chance to get the leveller at Forfar.

FORFAR ATH.............................................1

COWDENBEATH......................................0

Barrs Irn Bru Second Division

Attendance 475

THIS top versus bottom clash did not go the way the Cowden faithful, at Station Park on Saturday, wanted or expected.

But the fact is that the Blue Brazil had more than enough chances to win the three point package.

Forfar were up for the challenge and worked really hard to upset the Fifers but Cowden still created some gilt edged chances.

Hitmen Lewis Coult and Greg Stewart both had opportunities to earn something from the game but they failed to beat home 'keeper Marc McCallum.

The Blues played well enough throughout the game with the midfield carving out several very good openings.

Liam Cusack again was a very busy player out on the left hand side while Marc McKenzie also used his pace to set up chances.

The Cowden system was upset before the interval when Mark Ramsay had to go off and this had an influence on how the visitors shaped their game.

With Derek Lyle on for the little midfielder, Cowdenbeath still carried a major threat, and indeed, the sub missed a good chance later in the match.

The defence was sound enough, in pretty difficult conditions with a strong wind and a soft surface posing their own problems.

No, it was one of those days that come around now and again when chances are squandered and it cost Cowden their eight game unbeaten league run.

The Fifers made one change for the fixture against the division's bottom side before kick-off, with Linton in for Kenny Adamson, and made a positive opening with Cusack sending in a curling shot from the edge of the box which McCallum palmed away.

Forfar started to win some good possession and in 18 minutes Nicky Low found space and his shot hit a post with Thomas Flynn struggling.

Coult's height and trickery posed problems for Forfar and he tested McCallum with a low shot before Linton's corner saw John Armstrong head over.

The Loons worked hard in the midfield area and Chris Templeman's shot had Flynn on the alert.

Ramsay was subbed by Lyle in 36 minutes and still Cowden looked more likely to score but in 44 minutes the home side took the lead.

Bradley Coyne's cross was gathered by LOW and his 18 yarder flew into the bottom corner. Cowden opened the second-half on the attack and in 49 minutes Coult's clever work saw him beat McCallum but somehow Joe Shaughnessy popped up on the line to clear.

Then McKenzie's shot looked to be a winner but the Forfar defender again saved his side with a brave clearance.

Coult's controlled looping header beat McCallum but drifted inches over then Greg Stewart, on for Cusack, took advantage of a Chris Hegarty mistake but when well placed he delayed his shot and was crowded out by Loons' defenders.

Next to have a go was Lyle , who had plenty of time to measure his shot in the middle of the Forfar box, but he fired wildly over.

Forfar weathered the storm and defended more solidly as the game went into its closing stages.

Cowden kept working away and Stewart and Coult both tested McCallum while at the other end it took good work by Flynn to keep Templeman out before the 'keeper had to look sharp to stop a Kevin Byers effort.

The Blues kept on battling but simply it was not their day in front of goal.

Forfar Athletic: McCallum; Ross, McCulloch; Bolochoweckyj, Shaughnessy, Hegarty (Motion 84); Campbell (Wilson 89), Low, Templeman, Coyne (Byers 77), Hilson. Subs not used, Tulloch and Paterson.

Cowdenbeath: Flynn; Cowan, Linton; Cameron (Winter 58), Armstrong, Mbu; McKenzie, Robertson, Ramsay (Lyle 36), Coult, Cusack (Stewart 61). Subs not used, Brett and Bejauoi.

This article appeared in Central Fife Times 25 Jan 12

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Central Fife Times Poll

Should Andy Gray and Richard Keys have lost their jobs in the Sky sexism row?

This Poll is now closed.

Yes (50.6%)

No (49.4%)

Follow @dunfermlinep