The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Familiar opposition for Blue Brazil in cup opener
Cowdenbeath will meet familiar opposition this afternoon when East Kilbride provide the opposition for the fourth time in a year.
The Lowland League side knocked the Blue Brazil out of the Scottish Cup at this stage last season before the Central Park men gained revenge by keeping their place in senior football by the slimmest of margins in the Pyramid Play-off Final between the clubs back in May.
Today it is back to Scottish Cup business.
Cowden boss Billy Brown said: “Both teams know each other well between the Scottish Cup tie and then the two legged play-off game. I was not at the club at the time of East Kilbride’s cup success but I do know how close the play-off final was.
“That came down to one penalty and really there was nothing between the teams. Undoubtedly they could hold their own in League Two and this will be another tight game.”
Cowdenbeath are certainly used to tight games this season, with Brown adding: “We went down to Annan a fortnight ago and lost 1-0 and then defeated East Fife in a Fife Cup tie last weekend by the same scoreline.
“In fact every game we have had recently apart from two have been 1-0 but we have not been on the right side of it often enough. It was good to do it at Bayview and we will look to build on that in this game.”
Last Saturday’s matchwinner, former Dundee United striker Jordan Garden, will feature against Billy Stark’s side after agreeing a deal until the end of the season following a trial period.
Brown said: “Jordan did well in his three trial outings. He is really keen to do well at Cowdenbeath and we have high hopes for him.”
Goalkeeper Joe McGovern misses out with a knee injury, with David McGurn taking his place. Jamie Pyper is also out but Brown is hoping that Hibs will give permission for on-loan midfielder Ben Stirling to be involved.