We progressed safely through to the next round of the SFA Youth Cup after a comfortable 3-1 win over Cove Rangers at Allan Park (writes Stuart Allan). 

The margin of victory fails to highlight the sheer dominance the Cowden youth team had over their northern rivals and there could have been no complaints from the home fans if there had been more goals for the Fife team.

On a rain soaked pitch there was a quiet start until Cowden striker Anthony smashed the cross bar in the 18^th minute from a corner kick. Seconds later Johnston was played clean through but fired his shot wide of Reid’s goal.  It was clear the away side were on top and the opening goal finally came in the 22^nd minute.  There was wonderful link up play down the left wing between Anthony and Sawers as they combined to set up Craig Johnston whose shot was deflected past the helpless goalkeeper.

The rest of the first half saw Cowden dominate but failing to create any clear cut chances although Sawers and Callaghan both had long range shots go over the bar.

As the first half was coming to an end there was drama as Johnston was pulled down just outside the box by Caie and from the resulting free kick saw Declan Byrne score as his low shot was again deflected past the keeper.

The second period started like the first with little happening. Dunn had a header cleared off the line in the 57^th minute before out of nowhere Cove snatched a goal in the 63^rd minute.  Michael Gunn was slipped through and he fired an early shot low past Speedie. The next 10 minutes saw Cove dominate but they failed to find another way past the impressive Speedie in the Cowden goal.

Cove then begun to commit more and more players forward but failed to create any clear cut chances while Cowden looked very dangerous on the counter. Speedie had one acrobatic save from a corner while Anthony had a glorious chance to seal the match with 10 minutes to go but lost his footing with the goal gaping. The killer 3^rd goal finally came in stoppage time as the impressive Johnstone released Ben Anthony who amazingly saw his shot deflect off a defender and fly into the net.

All in all it was a professional performance form the young side as they progressed into the next round thanks to three deflected goals.