The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Cowden hit for five as Jambos bounce back
Blue Brazil frustrate Premiership hosts in first half before second 45 goal blitz
Craig Levein has expressed his relief after Hearts bounced back from a dismal first-half showing to dismantle 10-man Cowdenbeath 5-0 in the Betfred Cup at Tynecastle last night.
The Jambos, knowing only a victory would do after being docked two points for fielding the ineligible Andy Irving against Cove Rangers last week, endured a sluggish start but took control after Martin Scott was shown a red card.
Steven MacLean, Uche Ikpeazu, Peter Haring, Steven Naismith and Michael Smith struck in the second half to secure a pivotal triumph for Levein’s side.
The margin of victory means Hearts will usurp leaders the Caley Jags, lead by Tynecastle icon John Robertson, with a win at Tynecastle on Sunday – however Cowden can hold their heads high after a fine showing in the group phase.
Cowden had established themselves as the shock troops of Group C coming into this clash, claiming victories against League 1 local rivals Raith Rovers and Highland League champions Cove Rangers to roar into second spot.
Their position in a qualification berth was strengthened on Monday when the SPFL levied a two-point deduction on Hearts for fielding an ineligible player in the form of Andy Irving in their own triumph at Cove.
It left the Blue Brazil, who required a nerve-shredding play-off to merely preserve their league status last term, dreaming of claiming the most unlikely progress to the last-16.
However, Cowdenbeath’s hopes of maintaining what had proved a laudable iron curtain during the opening half-hour were wrecked when Scott was dismissed by referee Barry Cook for a reckless challenge on Christophe Berra.
Predictably, Levein’s charges turned the screw against the 10 men – but Cowden custodian David McGurn was up to the challenge, making two fine pointblank saves in the space of three minutes to deny Smith and Haring.
The Fifers’ brave rearguard action would finally be broken just three minutes into the second period when a wonderful Ben Garuccio delivery was converted by MacLean.
A decisive second goal was on the cards and it came courtesy of the hulking figure of Ikpeazu, who illustrated all his strength to roll David Marsh on the edge of the box before unleashing a fizzing left-footed drive into the bottom corner.
The floodgates were now ajar. Haring, excellent all night, opened his account for the club with a towering header before Steven Naismith found the net from the penalty spot after Anthony McDonald had been felled by David Marsh.
The scoring was completed by Smith, who slotted home from close-range after Jake Mulraney skinned Jason Talbot on the flank and delivered a fine low cross.
Attendance: 7,486.
Hearts: Zlamal, Michael Smith, Souttar, Berra, Morrison, Haring, Irving (McDonald 35, Mulraney 79), Garuccio, Naismith, Lafferty (Ikpeazu 54), MacLean. Subs not used: Doyle, Hughes, Lee, Keena.
Cowdenbeath: McGurn, Mullen, Pyper, Marsh, Talbot, Buchanan, Miller, Malcolm, Smith (Renton 58), Scott, Cox (Sheerin 36, Swann 82). Subs not used: Goodfellow, Scullion, Gilfillan, Muirhead.
Referee: Barry Cook.