Bollan insists Blue Brazil have no fear of showdown

For a second season running Cowdenbeath stand on the edge of losing their place in senior football.

The pressure is as high as it can get but Gary Bollan has insisted that the Blue Brazil will go into the pyramid playoff final against Highland League champions Cove Rangers with “no fear”.

With the first leg away from home this afternoon, and Cove having blown Spartans away on their own pitch to get to this stage, bringing Cove back to Central Park with the score even would be an achievement for Bollan’s side.

And he does not believe that the fact that their opponents have had a season of wins, while his own players have endured a season of hard knocks, should be a factor as they seek to repeat their escape act of 12 months ago when they saw off East Kilbride in a penalty shoot-out.

“There is no fear and we are ready,” said Bollan. “We are the SPFL side just now and Cove have aspirations to take our place.

“We have to ensure that they do not do that.

“We have had their two play-off games against Spartans watched as well as an earlier league game. It has been good that we have been thorough as they have had different line-ups in these games so we have seen most of their players.

“They are a good side, and a side who convincingly beat Spartans over the two legs after convincingly winning the league. However, we have shown at times that we could compete with the top teams in League Two.”

Bollan added: “Their former Aberdeen striker Mitch Megginson is talked about a lot but he is only one of a number of good players at the team.”

After only losing one game in seven to take them through to the start of April, Cowdenbeath finished the regular season with four losses.

Bollan stressed that there were mitigating circumstances for that run.

“Our results have dipped after it was confirmed that we were in the play-offs but we have been trying a few things out,” he explained.

“We will be back on more familiar lines and guys like Bryan Gilfillan will be involved again. We need him to use his experience in defence and to help guide others along.

“I am expecting a tight contest and nothing will be decided in this game. It will take the 180 minutes for a winner to emerge and we have to ensure that it is Cowdenbeath that emerges as that winner.”

Fraser Mullen is the only absentee, due to suspension.