Posted July 18, 2014

 

After coming back from being a goal down at half time to beat Blyth Spartans 4-1 at Croft Park last Saturday we continue our pre -season build up on Saturday afternoon when we face Linfield at Clandeboyle Park in Bangor with a 3 p.m. kick off.

 

Linfield, winners of the Northern Irish League a record 51 times, of course normally play their home games at Windsor Park in Belfast but due to redevelopment of the stadium have been playing their games at neutral venues thus we miss out on the opportunity of playing at Northern Ireland’s national stadium!

 

The Blues squad has a few players who will be familiar with Cowden fans from their time in Scottish football.

 

Keeper Jonny Tuffey, who has 8 full caps for Northern Ireland, played with Partick Thistle, Inverness CT and St Johnstone.

 

Chris Hegarty was with Rangers, while Sammy Morrow played for Hibernian and Ross County as did Ivan Sproule.

 

LINFIELD FORM

 

The Blues under the charge of new boss Warren Feeney have been unbeaten so far in three friendly games and three Europa League Qualifying matches.

 

Their pre-season started on 24th June with a 2-1 win over Loughgall thanks to goals from Conor McMenamin and Jimmy Callacher.

 

With only one game behind them they then opened their European campaign in the Faroe Islands beating B36 Torshavn 2-1 with Jamie Mulgrew and Michael Carvill getting the goals.

 

Two days later a youthful Blues side ran out 4-2 winners at Comber Rec with McMenamin bagging a hat trick along with Rodney Brown.

 

The return leg with B36 Torshavn then saw a 1-1 draw at Mountview Park, Lurgan, with Carvill once again on target.

 

On Monday night a Linfield side ran out 4-1 winners against East Belfast with manager Warren Feeney scoring along with Karl Devine, Aaron Sills and Jonny Frazer.

 

On Thursday night the Blues played a historic 100th European tie at Mountview Park and a goal from Andrew Waterworth with three minutes remaining gave them a 1-0 win over Swedish side ALK Solna.

 

Previewer: Andrew Mullen.