Albion defy Cowden storm
Published 22 Feb 2012 08:00
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Stirling Albion 1, Cowdenbeath 1.
Barrs Irn Bru Second Division,
Attendance 329.
BOTTOM of the table Albion defied the Blue Brazil at Forthbank on Tuesday night and grabbed a point which was not on the Cowden agenda.
It ensured that they will go into this weekend still top of the table but in reality this was a chance to stretch their advantage.
Cowdenbeath had most of the play and created their usual ration of chances but there were a few bad misses.
At the other end Albion scored a goal which should have been avoided but at least they battled back and when Lewis Coult levelled early in the second period the travelling band of fans expected their favourites to go on and win but openings were squandered.
A strong wind greeted the players and the visiting fans were delighted to see Joe Mbu in his usual place and it inspired the Fifers to make a good start.
Derek Lyle curved a shot just wide and then Coult tested Callum Reidford with an angled shot but gradually Albion, with wind advantage, got in touch with Thomas Flynn when the goalkeeper touched over a John Crawley free-kick.
As they continued to enjoy a good spell Stirling went ahead in 28 minutes. Kevin Kelbie's strong header was stopped by Dean Brett but the alert Gary THOM, who had scored at Central Park three weeks ago, pounced to force the ball over the line.
Cowden tried to respond quickly but the Stirling defence worked well to defy them and at the interval they were the goal to the good.
Cowden came out for the second period in determined mood and they were swarming around Reidford but still Albion kept them out.
Then in 56 minutes came the beakthrough. Lyle shipped over a good cross and COULT kileld the ball before shooting wide of Reidford.
It was Cowdenbeath on the attack now and the goalkeeper had to stop substitute Greg Stewart's shot and then blocked a Marc McKenzie shot.
Liam Cusack was a livewire when he came on late for Lyle with some good crosses and Coult almost converted one of his deliveries.
But at the other end Albion still carried a threat and Alan Cook's low shot was diverted just wide by Graham Weir.
Stirling Albion: Reidford; Fagan, Crawley; McSorley, Allison, Thom; Davidson, Ferry, weir, Kelbie (Smith 65), McLeish (Cook 85). Subs not sued, Jacobs, McPherson and Filler.
Cowdenbeath: Flynn; Brett, Adamson; Fisher, Armstrong, Mbu; McKenzie, Robertson, Ramsay (Stewart 57), Coult, Lyle (Cusack 83). Subs not used, Winter, Milne and Bejaoui.
Referee-David Somers.
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