Cowdenbeath fans hoped their side would benefit from Livingston's predicted demise but now the Blue Brazil will recommence League action next week in Division 3 after Livi were saved and back door promotion for 'Beath was scuppered. Today Morton come to Central Park in the CIS Insurance Cup
This time, however, it is not one of the many ex-Cowden players who have returned to Central Park to score against the team they once graced while wearing other colours. This time former 'Beath Chairman Gordon McDougall has joined forces with ex-Dumbarton supremo Neil Rankine to put together a package that keeps Livi alive and in the First Division. McDougall, a former Stock Car World Champion, took over the running of Cowdenbeath FC in the mid-1980's and departed just a couple of years back after a long association with the Blue Brazil. His tenure kept Cowdenbeath FC and Stock Car Racing alive at Central Park. However, towards the end of his Cowden stint he wasn't maybe held in the same high esteem by 'Beath fans as he was during the time the club won three promotions under his stewardship (1992, 2001, 2006). McDougall (a Hibs fan incidentally) has now moved to pastures new with Livi and his rescue package keeps Cowden exactly where they finished in May, Division 3. No back door promotion for last season's 2nd placed club in Div 3 (they lost their play-off final to Stenhousemuir who finished 4th in the regular season). However, CIS Insurance (League Cup) duty calls with Morton the visitors on Saturday to Central Park so a second scalp from a higher division in a week might cheer promotion seeking Blue Brazilians up. Last Saturday Cowden won 2-1 at Peterhead in the Alba Challenge Cup. Cowden don't have the best record against the Greenock side in cup competitions and the Fifers went out to them in the Challenge Cup in the early years of this century. 1980 saw a 1-0 Scottish Cup defeat for Cowden at Cappielow in the early rounds and a 3-0 defeat for the Fifers in 2005/6 in the SFA Cup at Central Park added to their Morton woes. Meanwhile, back in the old League Cup sections in the early 1970's the Ton thumped 'Beath 7-2 on a Wednesday night at the Tail of the Bank. Morton have also netted eight against Cowden in past years (8-4 in 1935/6) and only Ayr (9), Hamilton (10) and Clyde (11 goals) have bettered that tally against the 'Beath. Even in recent meetings goals have been a part of this fixture so are we directing you to Central Park for a goalfest this afternoon? Well, just let's say it could happen. Cowden fans can look towards their side's best ever league results against Morton (6-1 in the 1960's and 6-0 in the 1950's) for hope ahead of the Central Park clash but here at Scottishfitba.net towers we think the goals will be more evenly distributed this afternoon. No refunds however if it finishes 0-0 today. The League Cup has seen Cowdenbeath's best ever cup performances. The Fifers reached the semi final in season 1959/60 losing 9-3 to Hearts at ' neutral ' Easter Road (although at one stage the score was 4-3) while in 1970/1 eventual League Cup winners that season Rangers overcame Cowden at the semi final stage 2-0 at Hampden with goals from Colin Stein and Sandy Jardine in front of a crowd of just under 37,000. | |||
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