It means Moore at Cowdenbeath

IRN-BRU SFL PHENOMENAL YOUNG PLAYER OF THE MONTH: CRAIG MOORE (COWDENBEATH)

Cowdenbeath face a crucial Fife derby this Saturday when they travel to Dunfermline Athletic’s East End Park and on-loan Motherwell striker Craig Moore is determined to get the goals that will help the Blue Brazil stay in the First Division.

Moore was voted as the IRN-BRU SFL Young Player of the Month for March after scoring five times last month and his form at Central Park has been rewarded with a new two year contract with the Steelmen.

The 18-year-old is determined to repay Cowdenbeath boss Colin Cameron for giving him a chance to shine in the senior game as he explained: “I want to leave Cowdenbeath in the First Division at the end of the season. When I play for them I only think of myself as a Cowdenbeath player and I do want to be relegated with them.”

“It has been a great experience and much better than playing in the SPL under-20 League. I am playing against much more experienced players and that is improving me as a player. Kenny Black, Gordon Marshal and Jonathan Johansson have all been out to see me play and they are keeping the Motherwell manager Stuart McCall updated. They have all said that I am doing well and to keep working hard.”

Moore joined Cowdenbeath at the end of January to get games under his belt as he explained: “I did not have anything behind me before I went there. I had to prove myself in games that have a lot to play for. It is a different pressure and but I am learning how to handle it.”

“I was delighted to agree a new contract at Motherwell and playing in the First Division has been pivotal in getting me that deal. I also like going out to win games. I want to win the under-20 games as well but sometimes you have first team players dropping in to these games to keep fit and that can change the atmosphere in them.”

The hit-man added: “There is a different pressure and I am learning how to handle it. There is a good squad at Central Park and the standard is really high with players who get the ball down and play. Pitches are difficult just now as they are lively and bumpy but we are always trying to get the ball down and play.”

“Colin Cameron watched me in a game against Celtic at Firhill and then he got together with Gordon Young about bringing me to Central Park. I train at Motherwell 4 times a week and then with Cowdenbeath on a Thursday and that is how the move came about.”

“The boys at Cowdenbeath have all welcomed me in and I am grateful for that. I travel through there with Liam Cusack, Jamie Stevenson, Thomas Flynn and Mark McKenzie so it is quite a busy car.  I am one of three wee guys that could put in the back and we usually have to listen to Jamie talking about playing in Spain for Real Mallorca.”

The youngster has also suffered some misfortune during his temporary period in Fife as he explained: “I have scored 5 times although my total should really be 7. My first two senior goals had us beating Partick Thistle 2-1 but they were ruled out when the game was abandoned due to fog. I was absolutely gutted when they did not count.”

“You could see across the pitch okay however from the Stands you could not see anything. There was only a few minutes left until they would have counted and it was really annoying especially as we never got the points back as they won the re- arranged game.

Moore netted in the next game and he said: “My first goal against Dumbarton gave me a lot of satisfaction and it helped the boys as well as it was a last minute equaliser.”

He also found the net against Hamilton. Airdrie, Morton and one that did count against Partick and Moore is determined that his period in Fife comes to a positive end starting against the Pars.

Moore said: “We have Dunfermline and Dumbarton to play in our next two games so things are in our hands.  The Dunfermline game is a now a huge one after they had the points taken off them. If we win it and then beat Dumbarton we should be okay.”

“It would be great to do that and then get a good pre-season behind me that would allow me to put in a push for the first team at Motherwell. It is going to be difficult but I will work hard to get in. I will be in people’s faces trying to get a game.”

There is one player at fir Park that Moore would love to tell that he has helped keep Cowdenbeath up as he explained: “James McFadden has been great since he came into the club as he talks to everyone and passes on advice. I looked up to him when I was growing up as he was such a great player.”

“I would love to tell him that I have helped Cowdenbeath stay in the First Division.”