The youngsters unbeaten run was stretched to five games after a comprehensive win over bottom of the league Montrose at Beath High School on Sunday afternoon.

Coach Derek Nicholson took the opportunity to hand a debut to under 16 defender Jordan McNeill, with fellow under 16s Aaron Lynas and Declan Byrne both coming on in the second half.

The young blues took only four minutes to open the scoring when Christie slotted the ball into the path of Jack NICHOLSON who fired home an angled shot into the far post from six yards.

Minutes later the Gable Endies almost grabbed an equaliser when a shot by Morgan from the edge of the box was deflected for a corner by Christie.

Cowden doubled their advantage after 19 minutes when Christie sent a low cross along the face of the visitors’ goal which was met by Craig JOHNSTONE who slotted the ball home from close range.

Five minutes later Wilson had to be alert blocking an effort from Kelly with his legs and with ten minutes of the first half remaining in was 3-0 when a shot from Nicholson was net bound before it was helped over the line by JOHNSTONE.

Two goals midway through the second half saw the young blues go further ahead. Firstly NICHOLSON got his second goal of the afternoon after 67 minutes when he fired in a shot from the edge of the box and into the top corner of the net.

Sixty seconds later strike partner JOHNSTONE went one better as he completed his hat trick with a close range effort.

The scoring for the afternoon was completed with seven minutes remaining when Liam CALLAGHAN sent home a curing shot from the edge of the box.