The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Stirling’s debut goal enough for Cowden
COWDENBEATH 1 EDINBURGH CITY 0
Ben Stirling’s first goal for Cowdenbeath, on his home debut, earned the Central Park side their first three point league haul of the season.
The strike came after 29 minutes when Cammy Muirhead and trialist Bradley Smith, who signed for the Blue Brazil after the game, combined to let the midfielder shoot home from seven yards out.
The Fifers could have been three up at the break, with Muirhead seeing City keeper Calum Antell make three great stops from him.
The second half saw Edinburgh come right into the picture although they found the home defence in uncompromising mood.
City had a lot of the ball but such was the work of Jamie Pyper, Scott Rumsby, David Syme and Shaun Rutherford, home keeper Joe McGovern had only one difficult save to make.
Cowden boss Billy Brown was delighted with his team.
The manager said that after the problems of the past three seasons he has been working to change the mentality of the players to get a “never say die approach” to their game.
He said: “There has been an effect on the club over the past three seasons which has kind of seen them accept that things are going to be difficult.
“I have been trying to get over to them that if they stick together and have a never say did spirit it can see them overcome the most difficult of circumstances.”
Stirling was delighted at getting his first goal for the club.
The on-loan Hibs midfielder said: “We played really well in the first-half and it was brilliant to be in the right place to score, but after the break they came at us and the lads showed tremendous application to grind out the three points.”