Cowden Curry off the Honours!

Cowden extended their lead to 5 points at the top of the table with a controlled and dominant performance. Paul McQuade and Kenny Adamson both failed their fitness tests thus Derek Fleming and John Gemmell returned to the line up. Over 400 fans turned up around 60 of whom enjoyed the pre-match Legends meal with some absolute Cowden icons - Billy Laing, Davie Ross, Davie Cairns and skipper Andy Kinnell from Cowden's top flight team of 1970/71, club record appearance holder Raymie Allan, and championship winning skipper Innes Ritchie were rapturously received by the Cowden faithful. A couple of other ex-Cowden lads later made an appearance to catch up with their old teammates - Dick and Ian Campbell - as Forfar's game was called off. Paul McQuade's dad Peter also took the opportunity to catch up with the Cowden lads he had opposed in his days all those years ago in the colours of East Fife. The legends enjoyed their day so much they were almost the last to leave the stadium at night.

The game itself saw Cowden in charge from early on and throughout Albion Rovers didn't look capable of denting Cowden's ambitions. Albion Rovers' fans denied their free curry after a faux pas publicised in the Daily Record had little to shout about other than 'Where's our curry gone' and 'Gemmell ate oor curry!' John Gemmell once again took his revenge on his old club and their fans in the best possible manner. In 21 minutes a fast Cowden break pulled apart the Rovers defence and a perfect Dempster pass was crashed home with a first time effort by Gemmell from the edge of the box. 7 minutes later Gemmell lashed home an even more unstoppable drive from just a little further out to put Cowden on easy street. Gemmell then ran across to the Rovers' barrackers in celebration and did his best impression of a man tucking into a right tasty curry!

Rovers though were given a generous lifeline with one of the softest penalties seen at Central Park for a long time. An innocuous challenge by Darren McGregor as the ball sailed over a Rovers player's head prompted the referee to point to the spot. Ian Harty rolled the ball home to make it 2-1 at half time.

In the second half, Cowden remained on top and had chances to add to their tally. Mackay headed narrowly wide, Fleming's free kick was brilliantly saved and other chances were scorned. Only Barr in the visiting line up looked capable of disrupting the cool Cowden rearguard. However, near the end Crozier had a chance to tie matters and his well struck shot looked destined for the net until John Armstrong brilliantly blocked it on the line. Time up and a well deserved 2-1 win and 3 points. The le
gends and the fans' then retired to the club bar and were joined by the players and management team. John Gemmell was then presented with the man of the match champagne to round off a good day for the big man. That would surely go down well with a nice curry