Forfar too good for 10-man Blue Brazil

Forfar Athletic deservedly broke their 17- game winless run with this comfortable win over the 10-man Fifers at Central Park last night.

Cowden grabbed an early lead but, after they were reduced to 10 men, the Loons took command and outplayed the hapless hosts who are now only three points above their visitors.

Forfar boss Gary Bollan said: “It has been a long time in coming but we showed a lot of character coming back from losing the first goal. It gives us something to really build on.”

Forfar had the first serious attempt on goal in the fifth minute when Gavin Swankie got free from Fraser Kerr and his low 14-yard shot was held by Alin Roman.

On 10 minutes Swankie’s corner was met by Gareth Rodger but his header was just too high.

Eight minutes later Declan McDaid got along the byline and his low cross was only just cut out by Michael Dunlop, then Dean Brett’s low shot was blocked.

On 26 minutes Brett was pulled down by Michael Kennedy just inside Forfar’s box and the referee rushed to the spot. The defender got up to slot the spot-kick and put Cowden ahead.

Just 11 minutes later the scores were level from another penalty. The home side’s Kieran Gibbons fouled Thomas O’Brien and after the second booking and red card, Andy Ryan scored from the spot.

Three minutes later things got even better for the Loons when unmarked Gareth Rodger headed home Swankie’s corner from 10 yards out.

At the break Dunlop did not reappear for the visitors, with midfielder Martyn Fotheringham taking over.

The visitors continued to have the better of things and on 63 minutes Ryan tested Roman with a low 18-yarder.

On 66 minutes a brave block by Scott Martin thwarted Brett’s 25-yard freekick.

Two minutes later the Loons went 3-1 ahead. Steven Craig beat two defenders before crashing a low 16-yarder past Roman.

With six minutes left, Kerr Hay shot home from close range as the home team’s challenge collapsed.

The 10 men never gave up but made little headway and manager Colin Nish was unhappy at full-time.

He said: “We go ahead and then have a man sent off. “It was a very bad night for us.” Attendance : 269.

Cowdenbeath: Roman; Brett, El Zubaidi; Scullion, Kerr, Kane (Hughes 75); Gibbons, Beaumont, Spence, Caldwell (Johnston 65), McDaid. Subs not used: Yaqub, Donaldson, Milne, Byrne and Sneddon.

Forfar: Hill; Spark, Kennedy; Dunlop (Fotheringham 46), Rodger, O’Brien; Martin, Hay, Craig, Swankie, Ryan (Denholm 79). Subs not used: Young, Hodge, Devine, Kader and King.

Referee – Steven Kirkland.

Picture: SNS. Kerr Hay was on target as Forfar got back to winning ways.