MATCH PREVIEW - CALEDONIAN BRAVES (H)

After two successive defeats, which has seen us drop down to 12th place, we will be looking to get back on track when we host Caledonian Braves in the first of two home games over the next week in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League with a 3pm kick off.

Given how tight the league is Braves who have two points more than us currently sit six places above us.

Last season the two meetings of the teams saw draws on both occasions. The Central Park game, which by coincidence was on the corresponding Saturday, saw the sides fight out a 1-1 draw with Ross McNeil scoring 11 minutes before the break and Jamie Docherty levelling with a penalty five minutes from time. The return game at Alliance Park in December then saw a goal less afternoon after keeper Ruaridh Lynch was sent off.


THE OPPOSITION

Braves opened the season with a home 3-0 win over University of Stirling which was played at the Hamilton Community Stadium, aka New Douglas Park, due to the pitch being relayed at Alliance Park. Cammy Breadner gave them a half time lead with Ross McNeil and Dom McMahon adding to the tally in the second half.

That was followed with a midweek win over Broxburn Athletic with Lennon Walker, older brother of Rhys who played for us last season, and McNeil, with a penalty, scoring in the second half of the 2-0 win at Albyn Park.

The first defeat of the season came at Netherdale when goals in each half from Jamie Semple and Michael Beagley saw a 2-0 win for Gala Fairydean Rovers.

That was then followed up by a 4-1 home defeat from Civil Service Strollers with Ryan Currie hitting a brace along with Marc Laird, from the penalty spot, and Matty Shaw scoring for Strollers before Reg McLaren pulled a goal back.

Last Saturday they had a similar score going in their favour in their South Challenge Cup First Round tie against Berwick Rangers at Alliance Park with Cammy Breadner hitting a brace along with McNeil with a penalty and Marc Kelly with Taylor Hendry pulling a goal back from the spot for the Borderers.


MATCH SPONSOR – COWDEN IN THE COMMUNITY
CAPTAIN’S SPONSOR – JOHN CAMERON

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE – Abbie Hendry

ASSISTANT REFEREES – Cameron Sanderson & Stephen Gill


ADMISSION

Adults - £11 (£12 PATG) | Concessions - £7 | 12 and under - FREE | Season tickets are valid for this game.

You can buy your ticket in advance here.


MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD

The Man of the Match award presentation will be held in the Andy Matthew Lounge with all fans welcome.


PROGRAMME

The fourth issue of the season for a revamped Blue Brazilian see’s Conley Adamson as the cover star and is a double issue which covers next weeks game with Tranent.

The 40 page full colour issue will be on sale from just inside the turnstiles at the cost of £3.50.




Previewer: Andrew Mullen.