Cowdenbeath 2-1 Partick Thistle

Cowdenbeath. Famous for stock car racing, Jim Baxter and everyone's favourite Karaoke superstar, Donald Findlay.

Enough of the chit-chat, lets get on to the game I was there for as we visited Central Park for the first time since the early 90's and for my first visit to a ground that shall we say lacks the presentation one is used to as a First Division supporter.

The game started brightly for Thistle, peppering the part timer's goal with chances, until the breakthrough came after 18 minutes when Kris Doolan, starting on the left of a front 3, swept home a pinpoint pass from Paul Cairney.

That joy would be short-lived as the Blue Brazil equalised almost immediately, Thistle's defensive tactic of leaving one man to mark three was once again made to look foolish by Brian Fairbairn who turned and fired into the net, Thistle were in the lead for all of a minute.

Cowden were gutsy, while not having the technical ability they certain make up for it in determination and effort on the pitch and that fearless attitude was paying dividends against a Thistle side who were trying to take the piss.

Half time came as the first half flew in quicker than some maybe thought.

Into the second half and Cowden came out giving it their all as they had done in the first half, creating a small clutch of chances, including a free kick which was expertly tipped over the bar by Bryn Halliwell. It would be from this corner that the games deciding goal emerged, it's never smart to dummy a low cross into the box, and Cowden stuck quickly to end up snatching a come-from-behind lead.

Thistle then went all guns blazing trying to find an equaliser but Buchanan and Erskine's efforts bore no fruit either shooting wide or into the arms of an on-song David Hay. Paul Paton's rasping shot from the edge of area smashed the Cowden crossbar but again, Thistle's lack of a punch up front could lead to one too many knockouts across the season.

Terrible from Thistle, which maybe cheapens Cowdenbeath's win, but really, they can only beat whats in front of them and what was in front of them was a poor side who are out of sorts, failure to gee up the squad for the games against Stirling and Ayr at Firhill could be fatal for Ian McCall.


Fin.