MATCH REVIEW - Annan Ath (H)
Posted October 17, 2016
COWDENBEATH 2 ANNAN ATHLETIC 2
Saturday 15th October, Ladbrokes League Two Match No 9, Att 231.
It was the proverbial game of two halves at Central Park last Saturday afternoon when we came back from two goals down at the break to earn a point as the first quarter of the season ended.
It was the visitors who had the first chance in a wet afternoon after 13 minutes when McKenna set up Smith who sent his ten yard shot wide of goal.
Nine minutes later however Annan took the lead when a 20 yard free kick from Ramsay was blocked by the defensive wall but fell to Barry CUDDIHAY who fired a low shot past McGurn at the near post.
With 27 minutes gone a 22 yard free kick from Mullen took a slight deflection and was saved by Currie, then from the resulting Mullen corner Renton headed just over.
Ten minutes from the break a Glen shot drifted just over and two minutes later we found ourselves two goals down when Smith took advantage of a slip by Mullen and advanced down the left wing before cutting the ball back to David McKENNA who slotted home his sixth goal of the season from seven yards.
Prior to kick off Annan had failed to hold a lead in four of their opening eight league games and once again they were to be denied all three points.
Cowden came out fighting in the second half and five minutes in we reduced the deficit when
Mullen made good ground down the right and sent over a perfect cross for Kyle MILLER to head home in his 140th game for the club.
A minute later Renton broke through on goal but his shot was blocked by Currie and minutes later the striker sent a shot just over.
With 20 minutes to go Murrell, who had replaced Glen, slotted the ball to Renton but from a tight angle his shot was just wide of goal.
Renton was replaced by Nickolay TOROROV for the closing 16 minutes and the big Bulgarian got a deserved equaliser with just nine minutes to go.
Miller broke through on goal but was blocked by a brave piece of goalkeeping by Currie and the ball fell to the sub to fire home his fourth goal of the season.
As the game drew to a close both sides had their chances to snatch a win with Smith sending a shot wide while Pyper sent in an inviting cross with no one being able to connect.
TEAM: McGurn, Pyper, Sives, McLauchlan, Rutherford, Mullen, B Ross, O’Brien, Miller, Renton (Todorov 74) & Glen (Murrell 68). Subs not used – Sneddon, Brett, Robertson, Creaney & Muirhead.
Goals: Miller (50), Todorov (81).
Booked: Miller (24)
ANNAN ATHLETIC: Currie, Black, Swinglehurst, Sinnamon, Watson, Cuddihay, Omar, Finnie, McKenna (Lucas 85), Smith & Ramsay (Wright 59). Subs not used – Mitchell, Asghar, Bradbury, Bronsky & Krissian.
Goals: Cuddihay (22), McKenna (37).
Booked:Finnie (25).
REFEREE: Mat Northcroft.