PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY ROUND-UP
22/07/08
Blue Brazil finished off their pre-season friendlies today with a draw against Oxford Utd. There was a decent start to the game and John Gemmell put the Beath one nil up after 15 minutes. Despite having chances to double the lead, the hosts went in with just the one goal advantage. In the second half Blue Brazil made just one change with goal scorer Gemmell coming off being replaced with top scorer Paul McQuade.
Just 7 minutes into the second half, Oxford grabbed an equaliser through striker James Constable. Despite both teams having chances to win the match, the game ended 1-1.
This draw comes on the back of home two home friendly losses to Leeds Utd (2-0) and Readman's old boys Crewe (3-0) and a 1-0 away win at Inverurie Loco Works.
BRAVE BEATH OUT AFTER PENS
26/07/08
Cowdenbeath were today knocked out of the Challenge Cup in the 1st round after a battling performance against Scottish Second division side, Brechin.
The match was a bore until the the 25th minute when Beaths on loan CB David Armstrong picked up a knock, he managed to carry on until just before half time, when not only he, but defender Derek Fleming and RW Brian Fairbairn were carried off injured. Kenny Adamson, new boy Steven Naray and defender Joe Mbu were forced on minutes before half time.
Despite the set backs at the end of the first half, the Blue Brazil took the lead 3 minutes into the second half. A RW cross from Marek Tomana was wonderfully volleyed in by on loan RB John Armstrong deployed in a DMC role for today's game.
12 minutes later things took a turn for the worse for the home side however, when another player - John Gemmell - was forced off by yet another injury. Cowdenbeath would have to see out the remainding 30mins with 10 men. Two minutes after going down to 10, Brechin were back in the game. A poor tackle by Tommy Wilson just inside the area allowed Brechin striker Rory McAllister to score on his debut from 12 yards.
However, surprisingly the home side struck back. With Tomana grabbing a goal of his own from another RW cross this time delivered by captain Mark Baxter. The beath were 2-1 up after 68 minutes.
This lasted just 4 minutes though with Kevin Byers slotting the ball home after some poor defending. 2-2 72mins.
The rest of the match, and extra time were rather uneventful with little to show from either side. So the game would be settled on penalties.
Penalties: (Cowdenbeath first)
Sandy Hodge - Scored
Rory McAllister - Scored
Kenny Adamson - Scored
Ian Nimmo - Scored
Tommy Wilson - Missed (Over the bar)
Stephen Ettien - Scored
John Armstrong - Scored
Kevin Byers - Scored
Joe Mbu - Scored
Steve Canning - Scored
Cowdenbeath 2 (4) - (5) 2(p) Brechin.
