Preview: East Fife v Cowdenbeath

It’s the final Fife Derby on Saturday as we head along the coast to face local rivals East Fife in another crucial Irn-Bru Second Division fixture. All aboard the Blue Brazil express to Methil!

Tuesday night’s result at Dumbarton was massive and saw us move four points clear of Arbroath and 11 ahead of the third place Sons. Colin Cameron’s side have ruled the kingdom in the previous meetings this season and the manager knows that another big performance will be required if we hope to achieve a clean sweep against play-off chasing East Fife.  

TEAM NEWS

Colin Cameron and Thomas O’brien have fully recovered from injury and were of course back on the bench on Tuesday night at Dumbarton. In further good news right-back David Cowan has also returned to full fitness and will come back into contention

Dean Brett and Youssef Bejaoui, however, will miss out again with injuries.

COWDEN FORM

We have played 14 away league games this season. On our travels we have won five, drawn six and lost three. In these games we have scored 26 goals, conceding 16. We are currently on a seven game unbeaten run which has seen three home wins, one away win and three away draws since we lost at Forfar on 21st January.

EAST FIFE FORM

The Fifers have started March with two 2-2 draws at Arbroath last Saturday and at home to Brechin City on Tuesday night. Former assistant manager Gordon Durie has been in charge of the side for those games, which have seen them move to within two points of fourth place Stenhousemuir. East Fife have played 13 home league games so far with a record of six wins, three draws and four defeats. They have scored 23 goals and conceded 22.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS THIS SEASON

So far this season we have won all three Fife derby games. At Central Park back in September we ran out 3-2 winners with goals from Greg Stewart, Matthew Park (og) and Jon Robertson. Ryan Wallace had given the Methil side an early lead with David Muir getting their other goal. Wallace once again gave his side the lead in the return game at Bayview Stadium in November but second half goals from Scott Linton, John Robertson and Jordan Morton saw a 3-1 win for the Blue Brazil. The New Year derby at Central Park saw an impressive 4-0 win with Jordan Morton signing off his loan spell with us with a contender for the goal of the season award with Colin Cameron, Mark Ramsay and Marc McKenzie also on target for us.

TRAVEL & ADMISSION

The Miners Mini Tours (sponsored by Wee Jimmies) bus will leave Central Park at 1.30 p.m. with seats still available for non- members at £8 for adults and £5 for OAP and under 12s. Families cost is £10. To book your seat phone 01383 511562.

Bayview Stadium is of course an all seated venue with segregation in place. Admission prices are £13 for adults and £7 for concessions.

East Fife have informed us that Cowden fans are welcome in both Sid’s Bar and their upstairs lounge for pre match refreshments. Both bars will be open from 12.30 p.m.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee on Saturday is John McKendrick who will be assisted by Steven Reid and Paul O’Neill.