Match Report

Annan Athletic tasted defeat for the first time in the league against a competent Cowdenbeath team who thwarted Annan’s attacking capabilities and scored the goals at crucial times in the game to kill any hopes Annan had of winning the game.

Annan had a full squad to pick from apart from Niyah Joseph but their lack of creativity up front was a disappointing aspect of their game especially in the first half when they were in total control of the match but despite their territorial advantage Annan never created anything to test Cowdenbeath keeper  Kevin Dabrowskie.

Annan totally dictated the play in the opening 45 minutes but their inability to break down the well organised Cowdenbeath defence cost them dearly when Kyle Miller put the home team ahead in the 36th minute with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area after they broke from defence down the right with Miller in plenty of space found the net. It was the only shot and talking point in a disappointing first half for Annan.

The second half saw more creativity from Annan with Kyle Wilkie’s effort going narrowly wide in the 46th minute. A couple of minutes later a Scott McLean free kick from 24 yards went narrowly past the post. It was a promising start to the half and Annan’s early pressure paid off in the 51st minute when Tommy Muir’s pass put Christain Nade in the clear and Nade finished with a clinical low shot beyond the reach of the keeper from 12 yards.

Annan continued to enjoy a good spell and in the 60th minute Tommy Muir headed over the bar from a Jamie Ballantyne cross ball. Cowdenbeath went back ahead from a corner kick conceded in the 71st minute when Fraser Mullen’s cross ball was back headed by Swinglehurst directly into the path of Connor Smith who had the simple task of prodding the ball into the net from 4 yards. It was an uncharacteristic mistake from the Annan defender but more misery was to fall on Swinglehurst in the 85th minute when the Annan defenders last ditch challenge on Kris Renton resulted in a penalty kick being awarded. AaranTaylor pulled off a good stop to save Mullen’s Spot kick but Mullen following up and made no mistake to put the match out of Annan’s reach.

Annan had a late flurry with a good Lewis McLear effort being superbly tipped over the bar by Dabrowskie and as the game entered the final minutes Nade’s header from Scott McLean’s cross went narrowly past the post.

It was a disappointing performance and result for Annan but full credit to Cowdenbeat.

COWDENBEATH – Kevin Dabrowskie, Fraser Mullen, Christopher Hamilton, JamieTodd, Craig Barr, Kyle Miller (Michael Herd) (Kyle Sneddon 90), David Cox (Graham Taylor 87 min), RobbieBuchanan, Connor Smith, Archie Thomas, Kris Renton. Subs not used Euan Valentine, Jamie Piper, Ryan Connelly.

ANNAN ATHLETIC – Aaran Taylor, Matty Douglas, Jamie Ballantyne ( Jordan Holt 75 min), Kyle Bradley, Euan Griffiths ( Jamie Walker 75 min) ,  Steven Swinglehurst, Scott McLean, Tommy Muir, Kyle Wilkie, Lewis McLear, Christain Nade, Subs not used Lyle Avic, Russell Currie,  Ayrton Sonkur, Broque Watson,  Darren Barr.

Referee.   Graham Grainger Assistants – Alistair Mather and Alan Macfadyen

Crowd 286

Cove Rangers continued their good form with a narrow 2-1 victory over Stirling albion at Forthbank a result which leaves Stirling still pointless and routed to the bottom of the league. Edinburgh City continued their good spell with a 3-1 victory over Stenhousemuir at Larbert. Queens Park and Elgin City fought out a no scoring draw at the National Stadium.  BrechinCity lifted their first points of the season with a 1-0 victory over Albion Rovers.

Next week Annan entertain Stenhousemuir at Galabank and no doubt Peter Murphy will be expecting a reaction from his players following Saturdays performance.