Posted March 19, 2016

It’s the final West Fife derby match of the season on Saturday as we welcome near neighbours Dunfermline Athletic to Central Park with a 3 p.m. kick off.

 

It has been a contrasting season for the area’s two Ladbrokes League 1 sides. While a much changed Cowden side has found the going tough following last season’s relegation the Pars, the bookies pre-season favourites, are closing in on clinching the league title.

 

The Pars have had the upper hand in the four games played between the sides this season with three wins and a draw.

 

The first meeting was in the opening round of the League Cup back in August and saw us go down to a 5-1 defeat at East End Park.

 

Faissal El Bakhtaoui hit a brace as did Shaun Byrne with Ryan Wallace also on target from the penalty spot while Declan Hughes got our consolation in a match which saw us finish with ten men after Michael Andrews was sent off handing an unexpected debut to young Jamie Sneddon.

 

Things got worse a fortnight later when we went down 7-1 in the league at the same venue with El Bakhtaoui once again scoring a brace along with Joe Cardle while Michael Moffat, David Hopkirk and Wallace were also on target with Pat Scullion scoring for us with a minute to go. Once again we finished with ten men after Craig Johnston was red carded in the second half.

 

The return game at Central Park in late October proved to be a much tamer affair which ended goal less.

 

The New Year game at East End saw the Pars coming out on top once more winning 2-1 with Moffat hitting a brace either side of Greig Spence’s equaliser.

 

Dean Brett return’s to the squad for Saturday after missing last week’s draw at Forfar due to suspension while new signing Craig Sives could feature after getting a 45 minute run out in Monday night’s Development League game.

 

Craig Johnston however will miss out after suffering an ankle injury in Monday night’s defeat from Raith Rovers.

 

MATCH SPONSORS – Stenhouse Husband & Irvine Solicitors.

 

MATCHBALL SPONSORS – The Cameron & Long Families.

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Mr Stephen Finnie ASSISTANT REFEREES: Mr Gary Hilland & Mr Craig Wilson.

 

COWDEN HOME FORM

We go into Saturday’s match having lost all five of our home games in 2016. The latest Central Park defeat was a fortnight ago when Airdrie won 3-1.

 

COWDEN HOME LEAGUE RECORD

Pld 14 W 5 D 3 L 6 F 23 A 23 Pts 18

 

DUNFERMLINE AWAY FORM 

The Pars arrive at Central Park having lost only one of their 14 away league fixtures. The only side to retain maximum points following a visit from Allan Johnston’s side are second place Peterhead who won 2-1 at Balmoor back on 22nd August.

Apart from Central Park Balmoor is the only ground the Pars haven’t won at this season as the return game saw a goalless draw.

The only other ground that they have dropped points at is Cliftonhill where Albion Rovers drew 1-1 in November.

 

DUNFERMLINE LEAGUE RECORD

Pld 14 W 10 D 3 L1 F 35 A 8 Pts 33

 

ADMISSION

ADULTS - £15

CONCESSIONS - £10 (Over 60, under 18, full time students & disabled)

Under 12s - £5

 

Cowdenbeath fans will be housed in the Main (New) Stand.  Dunfermline Athletic fans will be accommodated on the South Terracing (opposite the stands) and in the Old Stand.  Entry to the Main (New) Stand by home fans and to the South Terracing by away fans will be from the High Street end.  Admission to the Old Stand for away fans will be via the Chapel Street end turnstiles.  

This is not an all ticket match and will operate on a Pay at the Gate basis.  Please note that ID may be required for all concession turnstiles (valid matriculation cards, birth certificates, passport or official documentation).

Please note that admission to Saturday's match for season ticket holders and those who have complimentary tickets will be through the side gate to the right of the High Street end turnstile block for this match only.

Previewer: Andrew Mullen.