Connor has taken Beath to his Heart
HEARTS kid Connor Smith ended his loan spell at hometown Cowdenbeath with a dazzling display.
The 17-year-old scored one, set up another and won third sponsors’ man-of-the match prize.
The Blue Brazil had 10-man Annan on the ropes before the break.
Smith who flicked home a brilliant first-time opener after 16 minutes before providing the cross for David Cox to prod home just ahead of the half-hour.
Annan’s Christian Nade saw red for a bust-up with Jamie Todd in 39 minutes and Cowden made it 3-0 with a Mike Herd tap-in just before the interval.
Ayrton Sonkur headed a second-half consolation.
Smith said: “It was a good way to sign off.
“That’s my third man-of-the match award in 19 games. I’ve really enjoyed my experience.”
Beath boss Gary Bollan said: “We knew Connor would cause them problems so we played a lot into the box for him.
“We weren’t at our best in the second half and the players subconsciously dropped their workrate and intensity.”
Annan boss Peter Murphy was angry at Nade for the red card and admitted it was deserved.
But he said: “The two players went head to head and my man was sent off while their man was booked. I was really disappointed in the referee’s performance.
“Cowdenbeath forced us into making mistakes but we made it very easy for them.”
Leaders Cove Rangers romped to a 5-1 success at bottom side Brechin. Jamie Masson drilled the Aberdeen side into a first-half lead before Ryan McCord levelled.
Masson scored again before Mitch Megginson’s double was added to by Fraser Fyvie.
Scott Shepherd struck in the first half to keep Edinburgh City right on Cove’s shoulder with a 1-0 success at Elgin.
Daryl Duffy opened the scoring with a penalty before going on to complete a first-half hat-trick as Stirling won 3-0 at Albion Rovers.
Ray McKinnon got off to a winning start as Queen’s Park boss with a 2-1 win over Stenhousemuir.
Kieran Moore slid in the opener and Billy Mortimer added a second. Stenny pulled a goal back after the restart through Alan Cook.