Highland Tour 2012

ELGIN CITY 3, COWDENBEATH 3

After finding themselves three goals down after just 35 minutes at Borough Briggs a second half comeback saw the Blue Brazil salvage a draw in the opening game of their mini Highland tour.
New signing Jamie Stevenson came into the side for his debut along with trialist Kieran McDonald who had been released by Motherwell.
Cowden were first to threaten when a shot from Scott Linton clipped the home post while at the other end a shot from O’Donoghue was tipped over the bar by Wilson.
The deadlock was broken after 19 minutes when Paul MILLER fired home a low shot into the corner of the visiting net from the edge of the box.
City then went further ahead in 32 minutes when Craig GUNN fired home a free kick from 30 yards, worse was to follow for the Fifers three minutes later when veteran Dennis WYNESS picked up a short clearance from Wilson and lobbed the young keeper who managed to get a hand to the ball but was unable to keep it out of the net.
With seven minutes of the opening period remaining Cowden pulled a goal back when Scott LINTON shot high into the top corner of the City net from the edge of the box.
Stewart then saw a shot cleared off the line by Duff and seconds later Stevenson saw a powerful shot turned around the post by keeper McWilliams before Linton was denied by the post for a second time.
The second half opened with Flynn taking over in goal from Wilson while a Spanish trialist replaced manager Colin Cameron.
Thomas O’BRIEN reduced the deficit after 62 minutes when he headed home from close range and a minute later sub Miller saw a shot come off the post.
However with 15 minutes to go Dean BRETT got a deserved equaliser when he shot home in to the far corner.

ELGIN CITY: McWillams, Crighton, Beveridge (Miller 15) (McHardie 81), Cameron, Duff, Leslie (McLeod 89), Gunn (Halford 71), O’Donoghue, Wyness (Forbes 88), Nicholson & Moore (MacLeod 81).

COWDENBEATH: Wilson (Flynn 45), Brett, Cowan (Miller 57), Cameron (Garcia Rey 45), O’Brien, Mbu (Finnie 74), Milne (Nzuruba 62), Stevenson, Stewart (Coult 54) & McDonald (Callaghan 67).

REFEREE: Mr Douglas Ross.
ATTENDANCE – 293.

BRORA RANGERS 2, COWDENBEATH 4

The Blue Brazil concluded their trip to the Highlands with a win over Brora Rangers at Dudgeon Park.
Kenny Adamson, John Armstrong and Mark Ramsay joined the traveling party and were in the line -up to face the Highland League side.
After losing three first half goals at Borough Briggs the previous night it was the opposite at Brora as Colin Cameron’s side stormed into a three goal interval lead.
Lewis MILNE broke the deadlock after 11 minutes when a ball from Coult put him through on goal and the youngster slotted the ball past Taylor from 16 yards.
Four minutes later the Blue Brazil doubled their advantage when Rey sent a long diagonal ball to the right wing and fellow trialist Kieran McDONALD slotted the ball home.
Five minutes from the interval it was 3-0 when a corner was cleared into the path of manager Colin CAMERON at the edge of the ball and he placed a perfect shot into the corner.
The second period saw a flurry of changes from both sides and the hosts reduced the deficit after 68 minutes when Liam BAXTER fired a low shot into the corner of the visiting net.
With six minutes remaining former Ross County man Steven MACKAY headed home a second goal for the home side but as the game went into stoppage time John ARMSTRONG netted a fourth goal from close range.

BRORA RANGERS: Taylor (Allan 45), Innes (Macleod 18), Smith, Hind, Golabeck (Lamb 45), Gillespie (Ross 81), Grant (Theakston 81), Hart (Baxter 65), Greig, Mackay & Jack.

COWDENBEATH: Flynn (Wilson 61), Cowan (Brett 45), Adamson, Cameron (O’Brien 61), Armstrong, Mbu (Finnie 67), McDonald (Stevenson 36), Garcia Rey (Nzuruba 45) (Callaghan 82), Ramsay (Linton 67), Coult (Stewart 61) & Milne (Miller  67).

REFEREE: Mr Graham Fraser.
ATTENDANCE – 90.

Cowdenbeath FC play Aberdeen at Central Park on Saturday 14th July 3.00pm Kickoff.