Irn-bru SFL In-depth Weekend Review And Comment

IRN-BRU SFL Division One

Peterhead boss Neale Cooper could well have been described during his playing days as a combative midfielder who liked to get his revenge in first, however he has had to bide his time as a manager to get even with Cowdenbeath and on Saturday he finally did so as his side ran out 3-1 winners.

Four months ago Cooper suffered from his sidelines as his side were beaten 5-0 by the Blue Brazil and plans to put things right when Cowdenbeath visited Balmoor in December came to nothing as Danny Lennon’s men won 2-0.

This time a goal in each half from Martin Bavidge paved the way for a win, with the recently signed Barry Wilson curling home a free kick to seal the game after home substitute Jay Stein had brought Cowdenbeath back into things.

Cooper beamed, “The last time we were here it was a dreadful day and I have been hurting about it since. I had hoped to put it right at our place and we didn’t take that opportunity but I am glad we have now. Our experienced players, Martin Bavidge and Barry Wilson produced the goods and goalkeeper Paul Jarvie produced some great stops when Cowdenbeath were coming back at us.”

Central Park boss Lennon advised, “It is okay having loads of possession but you need to score goals.”

Alloa moved level on points with Cowdenbeath at the top, with the lead up for grabs when the sides meet at Recreation Park tomorrow night, following their 1-1 draw at Brechin. Stuart Noble fired the Wasps ahead just after half time with Rory McAllister notching his nineteenth goal of the season to level with quarter of an hour to go.

Glebe Park boss Jim Duffy, who has only thirteen fit outfield players at the club said, “I can not give my players enough credit as I thought we played well considering the injuries we have.”

Alloa boss Allan Maitland commented, “I am happy with a point as Brechin were slightly better than us. David Crawford was excellent in goals again, however Rory McAllister is a real handful and deserved his goal.”

Dumbarton scored three times in the first half to set up a 3-2 win over Steve Crawford’s East Fife side. Ben Gordon headed in the opener for the Sons in 5 minutes with Crawford replying shortly afterwards as he converted a Paul McManus cross.

Scott Chaplain scored in fine style and Derek Carcary added a third from an acute angle to put Jim Chapman’s side two ahead, however Crawford struck again with a fierce volley to reduce the deficit 10 minutes into second period and set up a tense ending, however the visitors held on.

Victorious Chapman said, “It was a fine performance for my team and set a really high standard for the rest of the season.”

Crawford’s assistant Scott Crabbe lamented, “We were poor in the first half and whilst Steve scored a wonder goal to get us back into things it was too late. We will get back on the rails next week.”

Clyde remain at the foot of the table after going down 2-0 to visitors Stenhousemuir, who have now put a ten point gap between themselves and the Bully Wee. The opening goal at Broadwood came from the penalty spot in 20 minutes after Neil McGowan impeded Robert Love. Kevin Motion slotted home the spot kick and in the second half Jordan Smith sealed the win.

Bully Wee boss John McCormack said, “Our new look team is still gelling and we have some hard work to do to get us to the standard I want.”

Warriors’ chief John Coughlin beamed, “We have to be positive now and look to catch the teams above us.”

IRN-BRU SFL Division Three

Livingston will be growing weary of the sight of Forfar’s Stephen Tulloch after the defender struck in injury time for a second time against the Lions this season as the sides drew 2-2 at Station Park. Tulloch scored the winner at Almondvale back in December when the sides last met, and he was on hand again to complete a comeback for Dick Campbell’s men, that were two down with just over an hour played.

The experienced front pair of Robbie Winters and Jim Hamilton both scored in the space of six second half minutes to put Gary Bollan’s side in front with an hour played. Forfar grabbed a life line when Ross Campbell scored just after Hamilton had netted however they then lost Kevin Fotheringham to a red card.

They refused to buckle and similar to his winner on his rival’s ground Tulloch pushed forward and he bundled the ball home to equalise and draw out differing emotions from Bollan and Campbell.

A deflated Bollan said, “That feels like a defeat and there is nothing positive I can take from it.”

Campbell beamed, “I am very proud of my players for their never say die attitude.”

East Stirling moved to within a point of Livingston, and hold a game in hand, when they made it seven wins in a row by defeating Berwick Rangers 3-2. Jamie Stevenson curled a free kick to give Jim McInally’s men a half time lead with the Borderers drawling level just before the hour mark when Damon Gray shot home.

Shire Head Coach Jim McInally was rewarded fro his patience with striker Stephen McGuire when the former Airdrie United man struck twice midway through the second half, only for Gray to set up a tense finish when he scored again 12 minutes from time.

McInally said afterwards, “I was getting ready to substitute Stephen and then he came up with two goals so good on him. To win seven in a row says a lot about how well the players have looked after themselves during the bad weather when few games were played.”

Shielfield boss Jimmy Crease commenting, “When you score twice away from home you are expecting at least a point.”

Elgin City finally achieved their first home win of the season, seeing off Albion Rovers 3-1 with Craig Gunn netting either side of a Marc McCusker diving header with Bryan Cameron hitting a late clincher. Borough Briggs boss Ross Jack said, “A lot had been made of our record so I am pleased to put an end to all that.”

Injuries and suspensions seem to be catching up with the Coatbridge side with manager Paul Martin advising, “Our defence was pretty makeshift and it showed. We were not good enough and I do not have any complaints.”

Stranraer saw off Queen’s Park 5-2 at Hampden where a series of defensive errors where pounced upon by the visitors, who went three up with little more than half an hour played through strikes from Stuart McColm, Scott Agnew and Armand One.

Martin McBride hit a stunner just before half time to give Queen’s Park hope, however Danny Mitchell chested in a fourth for the visitors.

Substitute Michael Daly scored a second for the Spiders only for Agnew to hit a stunning fifth goal after a dreadful clearance for home goalkeeper Peter Hamilton.

Blues boss Keith Knox, who watched the game on crutches after a knee operation on Friday said, “Our finishing was emphatic and I am looking for us to creep up the table from here on in.”

Queen’s Park head coach Gardner Speirs commented, “Defensively we were poor and made bad decisions throughout.”