Posted December 29, 2015

We bring 2015 to a close on Tuesday night when we face Ayr United at Central Park with a 7.45 p.m. kick off.

 

The match had originally been scheduled for 5th December but was postponed due to our William Hill Scottish Cup replay with Arbroath at Gayfield Park, which in turn was abandoned after 20 minutes due to the 60 mph wind!

 

Ian McCall's side arrive at Central Park in second place in the table some six points behind leaders Dunfermline who have played a game more.

 

After losing their opening league game 3-0 at Albion Rovers Ayr went on a 14 game unbeaten run which was ended by the Pars earlier this month when they won 2-1 at Somerset Park after also beating them there in the Scottish Cup.

 

A second successive defeat followed when they went down 3-0 at Peterhead but bounced back on Saturday with a 2-1 home win over Brechin.

 

The previous meeting of the sides at Somerset Park back in early October saw us go down 5-0 with Jordan Preston scoring in the opening minute while Alan Forrest, Gerry McLaughlan, Brian Gilmour and former Central Parker Craig Moore were also on target that afternoon.

 

Ayr are second top scorers in the division with 35 from 18 games, averaging just under two a game with Moore and Preston hitting the back of the net six times, with Forrest on five.

 

While Ayr were in action on Saturday we were of course idle after our home game with Albion Rovers was postponed after the heavy overnight rain made the Central Park surface waterlogged.

 

However we go into the game on the back of a four game unbeaten run with our last three games ending in Cowden wins.

 

COWDEN HOME FORM

 

Only three sides have won more home league games than us in Ladbrokes League 1 - Dunfermline, Ayr and Albion Rovers. Since losing on the opening day 2-1 to Stranraer, courtesy of a last minute penalty we have won four and drawn three in our subsequent home matches.

 

Not surprisingly Greig Spence has scored most of our home goals this season with seven of our 14 league goals at Central Park coming from him. Only two league games , against Stranraer and Dunfermline, have seen him draw a blank at Central Park.

 

At the other end of the park we have conceded only seven home league goals, with only leaders Dunfermline having conceded less with six.

 

COWDEN HOME LEAGUE FORM

 

Pld 8 W 4 D 3 L 1 F 14 A 7 Pts 15

 

AYR AWAY FORM

 

Ayr's last away game was a week past Saturday when they went down 3-0 at inform Peterhead. This was only Ayr's second away league defeat the other being at Albion Rovers on the opening day with a similar score line.

 

They have won four times on their travels at Stranraer (2-1), Dunfermline (2-0), Airdrie (2-1) and Stenhousemuir (1-0). There have also been two draws at Forfar (2-2) and Brechin (1-1).

 

Top scorers for Ayr in their away league games are Ross Caldwell and Craig Moore who have both scored twice on their travels.

 

AYR AWAY LEAGUE RECORD

 

Pld 8 W 4 D 2 L 2 F 10 A 11 Pts 14

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

 

REFEREE: Mr George Salmond ASSISTANT REFEREE'S: Mr Raymond White & Mr Scott Leslie.

 

On Saturday Mr Salmond was man in the middle in Berwick's 1-0 win over Queen's Park at Hampden Park in Ladbrokes League 2. This will be his first game at Central Park this season although he was in charge of our League Cup defeat at Dunfermline back in August.

 

Like us Mr White's scheduled game at Arbroath was postponed due to the weather while Mr Leslie ran the line in Pterhead's 4-3 win at Airdrie in Ladbrokes League 1.

 

ADMISSION

 

Ayr fans will be housed in the old stand although all entry to the ground will be from the High Street turnstiles.

 

ADULTS - £14.

 

CONCESSIONS - £7.

 

Concessions are 65 and over , under 16 and students. Proof of age may be asked for concession admissions.

 

FAMILY - £15 (1 adult & 1 child aged 12 or under) £16 (1 adult & 2 children aged 12 or under).

 

SEASTON TICKET - Number 9.

 

PROGRAMME - £2.50.

 

The match programme is a 48 page issue (4 extra pages) which is a double issue which was also due to be on sale for our postponed game with Albion Rovers. The programme will be on sale from the kiosk just inside the turnstiles.

 

50/50 DRAW - £1 per ticket.

 

Get your 50/50 draw ticket from inside the turnstiles. The winner at our last home game Craig Bathgate collected £150!

 

Previewer: Andrew Mullen.