Cowdenbeath 2 Albion Rovers 1

A Kal Naismith double was enough to earn 3 vital home points and set up a top of the table clash against Arbroath at Gayfield next weekend.

A very young Cowden side - with 5 recent graduates from the youth academy in the starting line-up - completely controlled the first half and were cruising at the interval. Naismith, on loan from Rangers, opened the scoring from close range after 21 minutes and doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after being fouled in the box.

Greg Stewart and Naismith had opportunities to increase the lead early in the 2nd half but Albion Rovers gradually dominated possession and it was no surprise when Scott Chaplain reduced the deficit with 7 minutes remaining. However, the home side survived a few late scares to claim full points.

Chaplain (86) received a straight red card for a late tackle on sub Jordan Morton.

Cowden had a far traveled fan on the terracing after Pierre Leroux made the 4000+ mile pilgrimage  from his home in Calgary, Canada, to Central Park to watch the team for the first time. Pierre, who is originally from Montreal, has followed the fortunes of the Blue Brazil for 35 years and was denied a game on his last trip to Fife in the early 1970s after the match was postponed due to the weather. Pierre is currently enjoying a 3-week tour of UK and Ireland with his wife and made sure that he did not miss out on a game again this time!

Best wishes, Pierre, from everyone at Central Park and hopefully see you back at a game in the near future.

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Photography (c) Jillian McFarlane.