Cowdenbeath v Clyde

Recap

A late goal earned Cowdenbeath a victory in Ladbrokes League 2 today, in a poor and scrappy match that looked destined to end in a stalemate.

With Scott Linton and Phil Johnston ruled out, Barry Ferguson made two changes to the starting line-up following the win over Berwick Rangers, with Chris Smith and Martin McNiff coming in. The Clyde manager didn’t take his usual place in the dugout though, as he served a one-match ban imposed by the SFA after he was sent to the stand during the recent Elgin City match.

The first half of the match, played on a difficult pitch, had little in the way of quality for either set of supporters to enjoy.

Scott McLaughlin’s free kick tested home ‘keeper David McGurn but was held comfortably, with Kris Renton having a decent chance for The Blue Brazil but missing the target from the edge of the box.

Early in the second half, Kyle Miller forced John Gibson into a fingertip save, with a shot that may have been dipping quickly enough to find the net.

However, after that chance, The Bully Wee showed some improvement and looked the likelier team to open the scoring. David Gormley was unlucky to see his fizzing volley blocked on the line, before a cross into the box fell to Sean Higgins and his touch was pushed away by McGurn.

As the chances dried up and a draw seemed certain, Cowdenbeath grabbed a goal with 86 minutes on the clock. A long ball was missed by both Chris Smith and Ross Perry and, after Gibson made a partial intervention, the ball fell to Renton who headed into an empty net.

In injury time, Clyde created a half chance when the ball found its way to substitute Scott Ferguson in the box, but the winger couldn’t find the target from a difficult angle.