MATCH PREVIEW – KELTY HEARTS (A)

It’s the start of a new League Two campaign with a new title sponsor and new opponents in the shape of near neighbours Kelty Hearts.

It has been a meteoric rise for our hosts who have gone from avoiding relegation from the East Super League with a play off win over Dalkeith Thistle in 2014 to eventually rising to the SPFL just seven years later. Former Cowden loanee Thomas Courts, a promotion winner with us in 2001, was the man in charge turning them into twice winners of the Super League before they became the first junior side to move over to the seniors in 2017. Kelty were the pioneers with all the other junior sides in the Lowland League catchment area eventually moving over.

After leading his side to the East of Scotland League title, Courts resigned early the next season with his side top of the Lowland League to be replaced by Barry Ferguson, with an eventual third place finish. Ferguson would go onto lead his side to the Lowland League title twice in the “Covid Seasons" on PPG and eventually to the SPFL following a play off win over Brechin in May.

The former Scotland internationalist however opted to move onto League One Alloa and has been replaced by Kevin Thomson, another former Scotland cap, who was previously coaching in the Rangers Academy after a playing career which took in Coventry, Hibernian, Rangers, Middlesborough and Dundee. Thomson has brought in eight new players for the campaign ahead – Jordon Foster (Dundee), Joe Cardle (Partick Thistle), Jamie Barjonas (Rangers), Andy Black (Edinburgh City), Reiss Peggie (East Stirlingshire), Alfredo Agyeman (BSC Glasgow), Botti Biabi (Stenhousemuir) and on Thursday Thomas O’Ware from Partick Thistle. With the departure of Jamie Stevenson to East Kilbride defender Dougie Hill, a championship winner with us in 2006, is the only former Cowden player remaining at New Central Park.

Both sides had a similar run in the Premier Sports Cup both finishing on six points and missing out on the last day after defeats from higher league opposition. Kelty’s campaign opened with Thomas Courts returning to his old stomping ground with new side Dundee United who won 1-0 with Lawrence Shankland getting the only goal with 15 minutes to go. This was followed up with another home game and a 3-0 home win over East Fife with Nathan Austin bagging a brace against his old side along with Agyeman. The trip to Elgin then saw the hosts take an early lead through new signing Creag Little but goals from Foster, Cammy Russell and Austin secured a 3-1 win.

This set uo a show down with Arbroath at Gayfield last Saturday and goals from Kallum Higginbotham and Cardle gave them a two goal lead after just 27 minutes. However, Luke Donnelly, Colin Hamilton and Nicky Low from the penalty spot secured a 3-2 win for Dick Campbell’s side who progressed to the knock out stages.

Craig Thomson missed our defeat at Livingston but should be fit to face his old side on Saturday.


MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Callum Scott.

The second Cowden game of the season for Callum who was the man in the middle at our win over Alloa. Last Saturday he was in charge of Queen of the South’s 4-1 home win over Airdrieonians.

ASSISTANT REFEREES: Drew Kirkland & Robert Peacock.


ADMISSION

ADULTS - £13 | CONCESSIONS - £8 (under 12s get in free with a paying adult)

Cowden fans must purchase tickets for the north side of the ground with entry via the turnstiles at the Community Centre. Advance tickets are on sale from Kelty’s ticket partner Fanbase.

There will be a limited number of places available as pay on the gate but booking in advance is advisable to ensure entry.




Previewer: Andrew Mullen.