Posted August 6, 2015

After our two Fife derby defeats in the cup competitions we start life in Ladbrokes League 1 on Saturday afternoon as we host Stranraer at Central Park with a 3 p.m. kick off.

 

Saturday's game with the south west side will be our first meeting with the Blues since April 2007 when we fought out a goalless draw at Central Park, just 13 days after our famous 6-1 win at Stair Park.

 

Stranraer were relegated to the old Third Division at the end of that season and since then both sides have managed to avoid each other in all competitions!

 

Like us the Blues start their 2015-16 campaign under new management after Stephen Aitken left the club in May to take over at Dumbarton. Aitken's time at Stair Park was a successful spell with third and runner up finishes in the last two seasons although they failed to make much of an impact in the play offs losing both times at the semi final stages.

 

Several players left Stranraer in the close season to move to higher leagues but new boss Brian Reid has recruited several players to his new look squad who have Premiership experience.

 

MATCH SPONSOR: Curly Star

 

MATCHBALL SPONSOR: Celebrating Morag Allan's 50th birthday

 

 

After an unbeaten four game pre season build up we have lost two successive games in the Petrofac Training Cup against Raith Rovers (0-1) and Dunfermline in the League Cup (1-5).

 

Seven players have made their competitive debuts for us in those games with young keeper Jamie Sneddon being the latest after coming off the bench at East End Park after Michael Andrews had been sent off.

 

Andrews will be eligible for Saturday's game but will be banned for our next League Cup fixture at the start of next season.

 

 

Stranraer had a low key build up in pre season drawing 1-1 with Stirling Albion in a closed door game while a match with English Northern League side Morpeth Town took place in neutral Glasgow with the Blues winning 5-3.

 

Another neutral venue New Tinto Park in Govan was used for a 3-1 win over Dumbarton before a short weekend trip to Northern Ireland which saw a 1-0 win over Portadown before a 1-2 defeat from Ballyclare Comrades.

 

In the Petrofac Training Cup the lost 2-0 at Queen of the South but beat Stenhousemuir a similar score last Saturday at Stair Park last Saturday in the League Cup.

 

 

REFEREE: Mr Gavin Ross. ASSISTANT REFEREES: Mr David Dunne & Mr Jim Burns.

 

Saturday's referee Gavin Ross makes a quick return to Central Park after taking charge of our friendly game with Edinburgh City last month. So far this season Mr Ross has taken charge of two games - Ayr United v Albion Rovers in the Petrofac Training Cup and Wednesday nights Vale of Leithen v Selkirk Lowland League match. He was also the fourth official at last Sunday's Dundee United v Aberdeen Ladbrokes Premiership game.

 

 

ADULTS -  £14

 

CONCESSIONS - £7 (students, under 16 and 65 or over)

 

ADULT & CHILD - £15 (with one child 12 and under) £16 (with two children 12 and under)

 

If you have a disability and require an attendant, the attendant will be admitted to games for free. Contact the club on 01383 610166 or email bluebrazil@cowdenbeathfc.com to make arrangements.

 

SEASON TICKET - Voucher Number 1

 

PROGRAMME - £2.50

 

50/50 DRAW - £1

 

Both programmes and 50/50 tickets will be on sale from inside the turnstiles.

 

Previewer: Andrew Mullen.

 

Image: Craig Brown Photography.