East Fife striker Gareth Wardlaw is hoping to shake off a knee injury that he picked up in Wednesday’s first meeting with Peterhead and get one over an old adversary for a second time.
Three years ago Wardlaw was part of a Cowdenbeath side that were held nil-nil by a Brechin team that included Rory McAllister at Central Park in the first leg of the First Division Play-Off however, they won 3-0 at Glebe Park in the second meeting to be promoted.
Wardlaw said: “I had a great time in the Play-Offs back then as I scored when we beat Alloa in the Semi-Final and then scored twice up at Glebe Park with two back post headers in a live TV game. Joe Mbu also scored that day and whilst I had hit a few doubles that season I can’t remember Joe scoring another goal.”
The 34-year-old said: “It was a remarkable season as we had been due to play in the Third Division before Livingston were placed there. We were moved up a couple of days before the first league games but everything worked out well.”
“It was a terrific squad with guys like Jon Robertson, Darren McGregor, Brian Fairbairn, Scott Linton and David Hay. The banter from that squad was terrific. I got the Man of the Match champagne for that game and that was finished on the bus back to Central Park.”
"The celebrations that night were legendary and it would be fair to say that we all enjoyed ourselves.”
Like McGregor and then Robertson, as well as the Cowdenbeath manager that day, Danny Lennon, Wardlaw’s next step was St. Mirren and the striker said: “I reckon that my two goals that day helped get my move to Paisley. Danny must have been impressed as he took me there and whilst I only played for a season I really enjoyed it.”
“I played alongside Craig Dargo and Craig Higdon and they were great players to play with. Higdon was a top lad even then and I saw him put in performances where he has been unplayable. I reckon that he is like Duncan Ferguson as he is so strong and basically a nightmare to play against.”
Wardlaw joked: “That one season playing alongside me helped make him Player of the Year.”
“Craig Dargo left and Craig Higdon is now at Motherwell and I was only there for the one year. I actually scored the goal up at Aberdeen that kept the Saints in the SPL almost two years ago but was let go shortly afterwards.”
Despite that disappointment Wardlaw said: “St. Mirren was a great club to be at with great fans and great players. It was good to be a full timer even if it did not last as long as I would have liked. I went back to Ayr United and returned to being a part-timer with a job outside of football.”
“Thankfully I like my job but football is never far away from my mind.”
Before going to play for St. Mirren and in the midst of his promotion winning exploits, Wardlaw had been involved in a neck and neck race with Blue Toon hit-man Rory McAllister for the top goalscorer award until McAllister streaked away with the award.
Wardlaw said: “It was interesting to play against Rory again in midweek. He is a right good player and after going head to head with him to be the top goalscorer 3 years ago he ended up winning it by 5 or 6 goals. He also won the Player of the Year Awards but we got the promotion so we were both winners.”
“He has scored a lot of goals this season as well and of course Peterhead have Andy Rodgers and David Cox as well and they are pretty decent.”
The Fife side are glad to have the opportunity to stay in the Second Division by winning at Balmoor with Wardlaw adding: “We have had a tough season and the league table does not lie. We are in the Play-Offs as we deserve to be. It looked like we might not even make it this far when Berwick were leading last Saturday.”
“We got back into it when Kevin McDonald scored a really unfortunate own goal when he turned Scott McBride’s saved penalty past his own keeper. I was right next to him, and it was a bizarre goal, but it gave us the break we needed and hopefully we can get another break in the Final.”
Wardlaw added: “Peterhead are really tough opponents and the run they went on to finish second to Rangers in the Third Division was really good. They will fancy their chances at home.”
“My last Play-Off Final saw me secure promotion out of the Second Division but I will happily settle for staying in the Second Division this time.”
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