Match Report - By Steven Mew

Despite getting off to a perfect start through Ryan McCord’s second minute opener, City were edged out by Cowdenbeath at a windswept Central Park yesterday afternoon.

Caretaker boss Stevie Campbell was forced into a couple of changes from the side that picked up a valuable win at Albion Rovers last Saturday. Goalkeeper Ross Sinclair and skipper Paul McManus, having picked up injuries in that victory, dropped out of the side although the latter was fit enough for a spot on the bench. Replacing them in the starting 11 were Paddy O’Neil and Emile N’goy.

Despite playing against a strong wind, it was City who took the lead after just 2 minutes. Chris McLaughlin’s deep cross from the left dropped invitingly for RYAN MCCORD on the edge of the box who struck a well placed volley into the far corner for his first City goal.

The lead, however, would only last 4 minutes when ARCHIE THOMAS let fly from 20 yards – he managed to direct his shot through a ruck of bodies and into the net despite the best efforts of O’Neil in the City goal.

The hosts were struggling to take full advantage of the wind behind them, with O’Neil a mere spectator at times as crosses and shots floated high and wide of the goal.

City would have been content to go in level at the break however this was scuppered when Dougie Hill was deemed to have bundled ex-City striker Kris Renton down in the box just three minutes before half time. Referee Chris Graham had little hesitation in pointing to the spot and although O’Neil guessed the right way, the penalty from FRASER MULLEN was struck with real conviction into the bottom corner.

Stevie Campbell will have been hugely frustrated at his side conceding such a cheap penalty, but there was cause for optimism in the second half with the conditions now favouring City.

Just a couple of minutes into the second period, Olly Hamilton tried his luck from range but his effort lacked power, resulting in a fairly routine save for on-loan Hibernian keeper Kevin Dabrowski.

At the other end, Paddy O’Neil had to be alert to push away an in-swinging cross from Archie Thomas which evaded everyone in the box and looked to be heading into the far corner.

Like their opponents, City also struggled to take full advantage of the wind with Ryan McCord having two shots from range kept out, the first a routine save and the second producing a more acrobatic stop from Dabrowski.

McCord would again come close eight minutes from time when his left footed shot from the edge of the box flew inches wide of the post.

Fionn McLeod Kay, making his first competitive appearance for the club having replaced Olly Hamilton, came close when a corner was only cleared as far as the youngster on the edge of the box but his powerful effort was deflected over. From the resulting corner, Jonathan Page headed just wide at the near post.

City continued to push forward in search of the equaliser and they almost got it in stoppage time. A floated cross by Matthew Knox found Dougie Hill at the back post but his header was cleared off the line by the home defence.

That would prove to be the last action of the game as Cowden held on for the win in a game City will feel they were perhaps worthy of a point. There is no fixture next week due to the international break, with City next in action in a fortnights time as we welcome table topping Cove Rangers to Glebe Park.

Other Results - Ladbrokes League Two

Albion Rovers 2 Stirling Albion 1

Albion edge out 9 man Stirling at Cliftonhill.

Annan Athletic 1 Stenhousemuir 1

Share of the spoils at Galabank.

Cove Rangers 3 Queen's Park 0

Cove continue their fine start to the season.

Elgin City 3 Edinburgh City 3

Six goal thriller at Borough Briggs.