The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
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Cowdenbeath’s Miller ‘gutted’ after blowing chance to put Locke’s side ahead
EAST KILBRIDE 0 COWDENBEATH 0
Cowdenbeath midfielder Kyle Miller was a hero and then a villain as the Blue Brazil played out a goalless draw with Lowland League Champions East Kilbride in the first leg of the Pyramid Play-off Final on Saturday.
Miller saved his side going behind in the first half but when presented with the opportunity to fire the Fifers in front with a last-gasp penalty he saw his effort saved by Matthew McGinley.
The Blue Brazil player said: “I am gutted, absolutely gutted. I had the chance to put us ahead but it is not the end of the world as we have the chance to win it next weekend. We should beat them back at our place but to have the chance to win it right at the very end and not do it is annoying.”
“You should be scoring penalties every time. I do not feel great but have to go again next week.”
After a cagey first quarter East Kilbride were on top and looked set to take the lead when Joao Victoria sent Sean Winter clear eight minutes from the break. Cowdenbeath goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon stuck out a hand to save Winter’s shot, though it was set to cross the line until Miller intervened to clear.
East Kilbride’s former senior star Adam Strachan looked to have won his side a penalty on 64 minutes after a challenge from Jamie Pyper but he was booked for simulation by referee Gavin Duncan.
As the hosts pressed, Victoria headed against the bar with Duncan then awarding a penalty for a Fabio Capuano handball that was spotted by an assistant three minutes from time.
McGinley’s fine save was the sixth time Cowdenbeath have failed from the spot in a row and that left Miller saying: “Our record with penalties is rotten.
“We have been speaking about it in training and I have had my hand up for the last three or four. I eventually got my turn after practicing them in training but I changed my mind about this one in the run-up.
“Even though I hit it well the goalkeeper has made a good save. If I had hit it better he would not have saved it.”
There will however be an extra spring in the club’s longest-serving player next weekend as he explained: “I would not say it was my fault that we drew but right now I am feeling that it is. I will be going out next week to ensure that there is no chance of us losing this tie.”
“Being so long at the club where we are now is hurting me a bit more than it is hurting everyone else.
“I have played up in the Championship with Cowdenbeath and it hurts to even be in this play-off, never mind anything else.”
Kilby boss Martin Lauchlan hit out at the officials, slamming the penalty award to the Central Park side.
The former St Johnstone player said: “I’ll need to look back at it, but I don’t know why he’s gone down.
“Overall we were the better team, but I knew coming into this it would be tight and it could go either way.
“For me, the decision to award them a penalty was scandalous.
“Matty made a great save to keep us in it and we go on to next week. We should have no fear.”