Brazil Come North

 

A wee break from the rigours of Championship football this weekend as Brazil head North to take on Caley Thistle in the Third Round of the Scottish Cup. No no no, not that ones, but it's the Blue Brazil who will be at the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday for a 3:00pm kick-off. Unfortunately, Cowdenbeath slipped out of the big boys Leagues in 2022 after a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Bonnyrigg Rose and find themselves plying their trade in the fifth tier of Scottish Football, the Lowland Football League. Our last regular games with Cowdenbeath ended in 1997 when they beat Inverness 2-1 at Central Park. The biggest home attendance at Central Park was 25,586 vs Rangers on 21 September 1949. (must have been waiting for the stock car racing to start)

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Match/Ticket Info

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Venue H2H Cowdenbeath

Pld

Won

Drn

Lst

For

Agst

+ / -

Home	7	4	1	2	11	10	+1
Away	8	4	2	2	17	12	+5
Neutral	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	15	8	3	4	28	22	+6

We have only played Cowdenbeath three times since our early days in 1997. The last three games have all been in League Cup encounters. Worryingly, the last one was a no scoring draw over 90 minutes.

Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Cowdenbeath

0 - 0 (H)

5 - 2 (A)

2 - 1 (A)

1 - 2 (A)

2 - 1 (H)

4 - 3 (A)

1 - 3 (H)

2 - 0 (H)

1 - 2 (A)

0 - 0 (A)

In our final league encounter with the Blue Brazil we were beaten 1 - 2  in Fife: 

An enthusiastic Cowdenbeath side deservedly ended the champions long unbeaten run. The home side dominated the first half as the visitors experimented with their formation. In 13 minutes Craig Sinclair headed home after a Willie Stewart corner and 4 minutes later a static defence allowed Martin Scott to hit high into the roof of the net from close range. It could have been three just before half-time but Jim Calder made a good diving save from a Nolan shot. The second half started the same way but the visitors gradually came back. They dominated the last half hour but only managed one goal. In 69 minutes a long Iain MacArthur throw was back-headed by Mike Teasdale and Paul Cherry headed home. In 84 minutes Iain Stewart tried to chip Godfrey but failed and in the dying seconds a Paul Cherry header was cleared off the line.

Godfrey Munro Ritchie Meldrum Humphreys Winter Scott Sinclair Nolan Coulston Stewart Manson - Charlie Christie Millar - Davie Ross Hamilton - Barry Wilson

Jim Calder Mike Noble Richard Hastings Iain MacArthur Paul Cherry Ross Tokely Mike Teasdale Marco De Barros Iain Stewart Brian Thomson Wayne Addicoat

 Last Time Out

We rode our luck in Fife last weekend but managed to escape with a point from East End Park. Incredibly the Pars hit the woodwork seven times before they equalised on the eighth strike in the last three minutes, the ball connoning off the post into the net from Lewis McCann. Danny Devine scored like an opportunist striker at the end of the first half as MotM woodwork kept the ball out of the net with seven incredible blocks and an assist.

Cowdenbeath's last game saw them scud Lanark United 6-0 in the South Challenge Cup. Scorers in a decent performance were Matty McDonald (34),  Josh Jack (37), Mikey Cunningham (38 pen), MacPherson (45) HT: 4-0 Jack (50), Berry (67)

Cowdenbeath FC 6  Lanark United 0

Date: 18th November 2023	Kick off: 3:00pm
Competition: South Challenge Cup	Referee:
Venue: Central Park	Attendance:

 

We are, of course, beaten finalists from last season. Record scorer Billy Mckay is our all time top scorer in the Scottish Cup. He bagged five in last season's event, including two at Livingston and two against Falkirk in the semi final bringing his total up to 12, one ahead of Sir Dennis Wyness. Iain Stewart, our master lobster comes third with six lobs.

Cowdenbeath got into the next round of the Scottish Cup after defeating Kilwinning Rangers 1-0 at Buffs Park. Super sub Mikey Cunningham came off the bench to score a late goal which saw Cowdenbeath through to the third round of the Scottish Cup, which is why they are here on Saturday.

COWDENBEATH: Hepburn; Butterworth, Walker, Jordan, McNab, Chalmers, Jack (Cunningham 64), MacDonald, MacPherson, McLaughlin, Docherty (Berry 88). Subs not used – Blair, Garcia, D Duncan and Smith.

ATTENDANCE: 527

Latest Team News

Sean Welsh got a bit of the action at East End Park after another extensive injury lay-off. Luis Longstaff was another still looking to get up to speed after a couple of weeks out and Nikola Ujdur was subbed off in the second half. One or two still carrying niggles and this might be the right time to rest some with bigger fish to fry, but first and foremost we need to get ourselves into the hat for the 4th round draw.

Cowdenbeath will be looking forward to this and I would expect a similar set up to their game against Lanark.

Showed them too much respect for 75-80 minutes. They were so bad I can't believe we persevered with such a pedestrian pass it around and across the back for so long. Tempo never got high enough to trouble them and we failed to create enough clear chances. 

Felt sorry for Brooks in the first half as he was holding his line for runs so many times but the pass always went back or sideways. 

Despite changes throughout the side I felt that midfield suffered the most.

Yep, dire stuff for most of the game with fringe players showing why they are such.  Fortunately for us Cowden were pretty toothless, But wait a mo... so were ICT!    Jeez it was a hard watch, Shortknob played so many passes straight back into defence or even Mackay in goal.

Delaney looked rusty, very rusty and I still don't rate Duffy very much. 

Our front two Brooks and Sheriden had so little to work with, with mostly shocking passing from our midfield, that God we had some quality to enter the fray and get the win with 2 great goals.

6 hours ago, Duke of Inverness said:

First game this season as did not renew season ticket and was sick of Dodds s##t tactics, Robbo and his taking the p##s, still want Gardiner out though.

But as Meatloaf said, "Two out of three ain't bad".

Wow that was awful. One of the worst games I've ever suffered. If that's supposed to be an improvement on Doddsball, I don't agree. 

Sheridan shouldn’t be anywhere near the first team thank god his contracts gone in the new year and also brooks looks like he could do with a bit more adult football in him as physically he looks a bit underprepared

That was a hard watch. Cowdenbeath more than matched us until the triple change. Ferguson will have learn’t a lot about some players.

Two great goals put an artificial gloss on a poor performance.

I’ll cut Welsh some slack as he is still building up fitness after so little game time, and he made one magnificent cross field pass to Shaw. Delaney and Sheridan were the worst of the bunch, with most players guilty of slack passing and poor control in general.

It could have been different if our two early chances had gone in, one cleared off the line and one resulting in a good save. However, we didn’t kick on at all, reverting to square and backwards passing with little movement or threat. When we got scoring chances, we tended to pass rather than shoot when a shooting opportunity was on.

After the break, Brooks had a tame effort and Sheridan should have had two easy goals but messed up the opportunities.

Thank goodness we stepped up several gears when Mckay and Wotherspoon came on. We need to get Wotherspoon tied up for longer.

Of the starting eleven, I’m struggling as to who get pass marks. Maybe Shaw and Ujdur but that would be about it. Brooks and Longstaff worked very hard but without damaging Cowdenbeath.

Raith next week now worries me. 

Edited November 25, 20232 yr by Robert

I can't remember the last time I witnessed such a horrifically painful match that we still came out on top in...went in expecting to breeze past them, but jesus was that a poor show against 13TH in the Lowland League...

3 hours since that game ended and I am still shocked by that performance.These last few weeks everyone has been upbeat,but that today was like back in the Dodds era.Every player was poor in first half.The midfield were poor I thought for the 70 minutes and im afraid Sheridan has to hang up his boots.

At least Dunc will have a good idea who needs to move on in January.

Concerning, that after our first 11,these are the next line.

Welsh was also very poor.

Edited November 25, 20232 yr by Douglas Mackenzie

3 hours ago, Douglas Mackenzie said:

Dreadul watch and I thought our front two in the first 70 were very poor.

Id say we got out of Jail.

Brooks was OK still very young and needs to develop before we see the player he can be. Sheridan on the other hand was poor had a clear cut chance and he pulled the trigger way too late. In all fairness the service from midfield wasn't the best

Edited November 25, 20232 yr by Super Caley Man 94

I agree with others that was more difficult than expected probably due to a number of factors; not least of which was a fairly disjointed performance. Without the introduction of Wotherspoon and McKay it had nil nil written all over it; got to be a worry that 🤔 However still unbeaten under Dunc and in the draw for the next round. I would imagine the upcoming game against Raith will provide a better barometer of the current status. So not overly concerned but maybe a reminder that there is still a lot of work to do. Let’s hope we get a good support to get behind the team for the Raith game. Winning that game would do a lot of good for everyone 🤩

I think it's clear after today our sqaud depth is poor 😕 if we have too many first team injuries this season we will struggle.. 

2 hours ago, Oferesbumfiddle said:

My god Welsh is pony can’t believe he was our club captain. Him and Delaney were absolutely dire

Bet harsh on Welsh he has spent a long time injured this season. Delaney has no excuse apart from match sharpness so totally agree with you on that 

I woke up at half time and had been dreaming Billy Dodds was back  then I heard that someone had a coupon on for us to win 8 - 0   it was a strange afternoon with the last ten minutes seeing good football and us scoring two good goals.  At least we are through to the next round and Big Dunc will know who to play next week!

The positives today are that we got to rest some first team players, give game time to fringe players, and most importantly, we are in tomorrow night’s draw. Dundee Utd aren’t and nor are Arbroath. Dick Campbell gone after 7 years (feels like he’s been there forever!). Wonder if Dodds or Robbo will be interested in that vacancy?

Rather  than slagging us off I am going to give some praise to Blue Brazil, the wee guys they had bossed us for a while and outlasted us. But quality finishes won the tie.

Devine was the captain today despite Welsh starting.

Is Welsh no longer the club captain?

In his absence, Mckay has normally been the captain.

2 hours ago, Robert said:

Devine was the captain today despite Welsh starting.

Is Welsh no longer the club captain?

In his absence, Mckay has normally been the captain.

With Welsh unlikely to have been on the park the whole game (Ferguson said post match he got longer than intended) and needing to focus on his own return, and Billy not starting, then I don't think there's anything to read into it.

Edited November 25, 20232 yr by STFU

29 minutes ago, STFU said:

With Welsh unlikely to have been on the park the whole game (Ferguson said post match he got longer than intended) and needing to focus on his own return, and Billy not starting, then I don't think there's anything to read into it.

I agree, but it did seem a strange one.

I think Mckay has handled being captain well but Devine had one of his poorer games today, particularly a 10 minute spell in the first half when he kept giving away possession.

Anyway, job done (albeit in a very unconvincing manner) and we are in the last 32, unlike Dundee United, Dunfermline, Queens Park and manager-less Arbroath. At least we will be saved Dick and Ian Campbell’s antics when we play Arbroath next month. 

What chance Ross County at home in the next round? Probably an easier tie than Buckie or Brora away. 

That was a very hard watch on a very cold day, with very little for the supporters to get excited about. I couldn't believe how pedestrian we were for most of that game, I thought we would have come charging out of the blocks and the fringe players would all be up for impressing big Dunc. Instead we played slow safe passes across the back four and back again, unless the pass to the keeper was not on. If Ferguson was wanting to see what the squad players can do, he will have found out that they are not going to worry the guys currently in the first eleven, especially the front two, who were toothless all the time they were on. Sheridan had two great chances to score, but took far too long to try and get a shot off, and the chances were gone. It was only when the subs were introduced that we looked like we'd do something, and we did. In my humble opinion, I thought we could have started with our best team, try and score a couple of goals, and then take the fringe playes on. I know that Cowdenbeath didn't have a shot on goal, but it could have just taken a slip at a corner, before the subs, and we might have been chasing a goal to save embarrassment. 

The next round will be interesting. I am of the opinion that I would always want to lowest ranked team in the draw, while others might want one of the big hitters. Whoever we get, we will have to play our strongest team, to make sure we have the best chance of getting through.

On 11/24/2023 at 6:31 PM, The Mantis said:

 

I think benching 4 or 5 from last week is a decent compromise as opposed to playing a team of youngsters as was suggested. Sean Welsh has to start and probably Duffy. If we’re not well ahead after an hour then get Billy and Spoony on but let a couple of the young players e.g. Longstaff or Brooks have a go. 

Called it, more or less 😂 
Don’t like missing ICT in the cup but sounded like a good one to miss. Stayed local, a few pints in the Guildford then took in Dick Campbell’s final game as Spartans knocked out a woeful Arbroath. Demos by the fans at the end and Dick has fallen on his, ehhh, bunnet. Bring on the Rovers.
 

The Goals

At home v Broomhill weekend of 20th January

Broomhill from the Lowland Football League, same as Cowdenbeath, and they sit 9th in the table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, tm4tj said:

At home v Broomhill

They'll be sh###ing themselves if they had a scout watching the match yesterday 🙄 

8 minutes ago, tm4tj said:

At home v Broomhill

Rinse, repeat…

In all seriousness though this is a tie we should win comfortably. By late January we should be a settled squad with the likes of Sheridan and some others long gone. Hopefully this is an incentive for Wotherspoon to see a possible cup run opportunity and have him sign up at least until the the end of this season.