MATCH PREVIEW - EDINBURGH CITY (H)

It's the first home game on 2018 on Saturday afternoon when we host Edinburgh City at Central Park with a 3pm kick off.

While we opened the year with a well deserved draw at second place Montrose on Tuesday City got their first win since 16th September when they beat Berwick 3-0 at Ainslie Park to move three points ahead of us at the foot of the table, although they have played a game more.

It was announced on Friday afternoon that Scott Shepherd, who scored a second half brace to add to Ashley Grimes opener, has had his loan spell from Falkirk extended until the end of the season with midfielder Cameron Blues also joining on loan from the Bairns until the end of the campaign.

Making a permanent move from the Falkirk Stadium is former Central Park loanee Liam Henderson who has been on loan at Ainslie Park since November, while Pat Scullion joined City on New Years Day and made his debut on Tuesday against his old side Berwick. Leaving Ainslie Park was Moses Olandrewaju.

For us top scorer Robbie Buchanan will start a three game suspension after his sending off against Peterhead was upheld at an SFA meeting on Thursday. He had been handed a two game ban for his red card while his earlier yellow had taken him to his sixth booking of the season and an additional one game ban.

The previous two games between the sides this season have seen a Cowden win at Central Park with Ben Stirling getting the only goal in his home debut while the sides fought out a goal less draw at Ainslie Park in November.

It has been decided that the pitch protection covers will be lifted at 10am, so if your free please come along and help out.

COWDEN FIVE GAME FORM

We have now played five games under the charge of Gary Bollan with four draws and a last kick of the ball defeat to Peterhead.

TOP LEAGUE SCORER

Robbie Buchanan with 4 goals.

CITY FIVE GAME FORM

Our visitors have had one win and a draw along with three defeats in their last five outings. Prior to Tuesday's win over Berwick they had lost to Annan and Stenhousemuir both 1-2 and 3-0 to Peterhead while they had a 1-1 draw at Elgin.

TOP LEAGUE SCORER

Scott Shepherd with 3 goals.


MATCH SPONSOR - ABSENT FRIENDS

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Lloyd Wilson ASSISTANT REFEREE'S: Stephen Mitchell & Ross Anderson.

ADMISSION

ADULTS - £12

CONCESSIONS - £6

UNDER 12 - Go FREE with a paying adult.

PROGRAMME - £2.50 (48 page full colour edition).

Previewer: Andrew Mullen