Posted March 4, 2016

After our midweek defeat at Ayr we return to home action on Saturday as we open the final quarter of the Ladbrokes League 1 campaign with a visit from Airdrie (kick off 3 p.m.).

 

The three previous meetings with the Diamonds has favoured the home side, a trend that we hope will continue this weekend. The first meeting of the sides back in September saw Airdrie run out 3-2 winners at the Excelsior Stadium thanks to two goals in the closing 13 minutes.

 

David Cox had given them the lead but goals from Robbie Buchanan, with a penalty, and Andy Murdoch had us 2-1 in front going into the last half hour. However George Hunter levelled with 13 minutes to go and then four minutes later Liam Watt grabbed the winner.

 

The return game at Central Park just before Christmas saw a comprehensive 3-0 Cowden win with Greig Spence bagging a brace, while Murdoch was once again on target.

 

The match proved to be the final one in charge of the Diamonds for manager Gary Bollan as he resigned the following day to take over at Forfar Athletic.

 

Bollan's successor was Eddie Wolecki Black and he saw his side win 2-0 on our second visit to the Excelsior a month ago with goals in either half from Marc Fitzpatrick and Jim Lister.

 

This was the Diamonds last win as since then they have lost 3-2 to Stenhousemuir and 1-0 at home to Ayr with a home 1-1 draw in between. Despite this they remain in a challenging position for the final Championship play off spot sitting in fifth place just two points behind Monkland neighbours Albion Rovers.

 

MATCH SPONSOR - AIC JOINERY

 

COWDEN HOME FORM

 

We have now gone down to four successive home defeats since the turn of the year with the latest being the 4-1 loss to Forfar last midweek. Our last home success was on 29th December when we beat Ayr 4-2.

 

COWDEN HOME LEAGUE RECORD

 

Pld 13 W 5 D 3 L 5 F 22 A 20 Pts 18

 

AIRDRIE AWAY FORM

 

Airdrie have been more successful on the road this season with 20 of their 34 points coming on their travels. Their last away game three weeks ago saw a 3-2 defeat at Stenhousemuir however with the Warriors winner coming in stoppage time.

 

Their last away win was on 29th January when they beat league leaders Dunfermline 1-0 at East End Park before the live BBC Alba cameras.

 

AIRDRIE AWAY LEAGUE RECORD

 

Pld 13 W 6 D 2 L5 F21 A 23 Pts 20

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

 

REFEREE: Mr John McKendrick ASSISTANT REFEREE'S: Mr Sean Carr & Mr Craig King.

 

Last Saturday Mr McKendrick was in charge of Rangers 1-0 home win over St Mirren in the Ladbrokes Championship.

Mr Carr has had two games in the last week last Saturday he ran the line at Falkirk's 3-1 home win over QOS in the Championship and on Tuesday night he was on duty in Partick Thistle's 2-1 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in the Premiership.

Last Saturday Mr King took charge of Cumbernauld Colts 4-0 win over Dalbeatie Star in the Lowland League at Broadwood Stadium.

 

ADMISSION

 

ADULTS - £14

 

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

 

FAMILY GATE - £15 (Adult with 1 child 12 or under) £16 (Adult with 2 children 12 or under)

 

SEASON TICKET - Voucher number 14

 

PROGRAMME - £2.50

 

50/50 DRAW - £1 per ticket

 

Programmes and 50/50 draw tickets will be on sale from just inside the turnstiles.

 

Airdrie fans will be housed in the old stand.

 

Previewer: Andrew Mullen