Cowden need to bounce back

COWDENBEATH STIRLING ALBION 1 5

Cowdenbeath face a massive game at Glebe Park tomorrow after Saturday’s confidence shattering defeat at the hands’ of promotionchasing Stirling Albion.

Cowden lie in ninth spot in the League Two table, eight points clear of bottom team Brechin City, and clearly a win at Glebe would put the Blue Brazil in a much better place.

But manager Gary Bollan knows his team will have to defend a lot better than they did on Saturday to achieve that.

Stirling, who are aiming to finish second in the table, came out of the traps fast at Central Park and scored in three minutes when Andy Ryan took advantage of a slip by home skipper Craig Barr to fire past Nicky Hogarth.

Cowden levelled in 16 minutes when Fraser Mullen’s free-kick was perfect for Barr to head home but were behind three minutes later after a Ryan spot-kick.

Stirling upped their game and Chris Hamilton made it 3-1 at the break with a neat finish from close in, then a fourth goal two minutes into the second period put Albion on course for victory and a fifth in 65 minutes from striker Dylan Mackin, put the icing on the cake for the visitors.

Bollan, who received a red card from referee Calum Scott at time-up for remarks he made to the official, said: “At the penalty it looked like Craig Barr had won the ball before their player went down, and that was a crucial moment. But goals three and four were totally avoidable.

“I feel for our lads because there were a lot of tired legs out there after the run of fixtures we have had. We have some massive games coming up, starting at Brechin on Tuesday, and the players know what will be needed.”