 Isaac Layne opened the scoring for the visitors in the 7th minute when he ran through to slot past David McGurn to give The Binos a narrow half time lead. Darren Smith doubled Stirling's advantage in the 63rd minute when he tapped home after good work from former Cowden player Marc McKenzie.It was clear Cowden were struggling to find a way back after the visitors went two ahead and the international break may now come as a welcome respite for the Fifers Fraser Mullen and Lewis Moore both came close late on but were denied by Chris Smith as 'Beath lost 2-0 for the second consecutive home game. Young Head Coach Liam Fox, currently the youngest in the SPFL, is facing a tough time at Cowdenbeath after his appointment in the summer with the Blue Brazil only four points ahead of bottom club Edinburgh City in League 2. Fox face two crucial games after the international break with Annan Athletic at home in the league and then East Kilbride of the Lowland League at home on October 22nd in Scottish Cup Round 2 his next chances to stop the rot setting in. There is now a real fear amongst Cowden's small but loyal support that the club could be fighting it out with Edinburgh to avoid the Pyramid Play Off at the end of the season and we hinted at Scottishfitba.net at the start of the season that it could simply be the Fifers turn to join the company of past incumbents Montrose (succeeded) and East Stirlingshire (failed) this season in trying to save their long standing place in the Scottish League (Cowden elected into the Scottish League in 1905) after years of under achievement in the Scottish divisions, although there was a blip on the graph for a couple of seasons when Cowden played in the Championship before successive relegations brought them to League 2 status for season 2016/17. Central Park is 100 years old in 2017 and despite fundraising efforts by board and supporters the infrastructure of life at the old stadium can't be helping the modern version of the Blue Brazil but, as far as his personal standing at the club is concerned, the upcoming games v Annan and Lowland League leaders EK (who could end up playing for League 2 place next May) could define Fox's tenure at Cowdenbeath following his move to Fife from a coaching role at Hearts. A decent win v Annan and the expulsion of an East Kilbride side who will fancy their cup chances now against Cowdenbeath is crucial if Fox is to show he has the right stuff at a bad time for Fife's oldest league club. EK, the high-flying Lowland League side, were established a few years back with ex-Cowden player Jim Kean being a prime mover in founding the club. There are some familiar names in the East Kilbride line up including Robbie Winters and Adam Strachan whilst their squad also boasts 3 ex-Cowden players - Martin McBride, Declan Hughes and Keiran Gibbons giving the tie, which will take place on Saturday 22nd October, added spice. |
| Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net) Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net) This is Scottish-Fitba.Net |