The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Cowden striker ‘can’t wait’ to renew rivalries after play-off battle
Blue Brazil ready for tasty rematch with play-off rivals Cove
Cowdenbeath striker Jordyn Sheerin admits he “can’t wait” for Saturday’s potentially explosive rematch with last season’s play-off rivals Cove Rangers.
The pair clashed amidst violent scenes in May with a spot in League Two at stake. Cowden held on to their SPFL status in controversial circumstances, with Sheerin accused of a cynical trip on Cove keeper Stuart McKenzie, which allowed Brad Smith to slot home the winner in the 3-2 victory.
The injustice was too much for the Highland League side, who finished with eight men after a Paul McManus sending-off for dissent was followed by red cards for Scott Ross and Eric Watson following an ugly mass melee involving both squads and management teams.
Cowden boss Gary Bollan and Cove counterpart John Sheran, as well as Blue Brazil coach Ian Flaherty, were handed touchline bans, Both clubs were fined for their behaviour, which will again go under the microscope in Saturday’s Betfred Cup clash.
Sheerin, who turned last season’s loan from Kelty Hearts into a permanent move and has opened the new term with back-to-back doubles against Raith Rovers and Inverness Caley Thistle, says the rematch is a mouth-watering one.
He said: “I can’t wait, to be honest with you. What a game that will be. We’re all looking forward to it now. We’ll dust ourselves off and go again on Saturday.
“I don’t think anyone will need to even say anything, especially at home. It’ll be a good one and we’ll see what happens.
“I get stick from every set of fans, so it goes over my head. It totally doesn’t bother me, I think it’s funny. I’m too long in the tooth now, so they’re welcome to say whatever they want.
“It’s a one-off game and I don’t think there will be any stick from the Cove players. I spoke to their centre-half after the last game and he seemed like a really nice guy.
“It’s football and I’m sure they’ll have taken it on the chin, as we would have done had it been us in that position.
“So hopefully there won’t be any more [punch-ups]. We’re there to play football.”
Meanwhile, Cowden have brought Pat Scullion to Central Park for a third time with the 31-year-old signing on for the new season and making a brief appearance as a sub against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Tuesday.
Scullion first joined the Blue Brazil in 2006 after spells with Dunfermline and Elgin and he helped Mixu Paatelainen’s side win the Third Division in 2006 before heading for Alloa, Stenhousemuir and Clyde.
The centre-back or midfielder returned to play in the Championship with Cowdenbeath in the summer of 2014 and League One the following year before returning to Alloa and then moving on to Berwick Rangers and Edinburgh City.
Boss Bollan said: “Pat has played in more than 300 senior games and has the experience we need in our squad. I am pleased to have him on board.”
“What a game that will be. We’re all looking forward to it now. We will dust ourselves off and go again on Saturday. COWDENBEATH FORWARD JORDYN SHEERIN