A goal from Jordan Garden seven minutes from the break saw us progress into the semi finals of the Fife Cup where we will now have a home tie with Raith Rovers.

Billy Brown, as with his Methil counterpart Darren Young, took the opportunity of utilising his squad with several players who had been on the fringes in recent weeks coming back into the starting line up while Jordan Leslie made his first team debut.

With 10 minutes gone Syme sent a shot over from 10 yards while at the other end Reilly done likewise for the home side.

Muirhead then saw a 25 yard drive go wide of the post while the returning McGurn in the Cowden goal held a Reilly shot.

The deadlock was finally broken in 38 minutes when Jordan GARDEN was put through on goal by Brad Smith beating both the East Fife offside trap and keeper Goodfellow with a low shot into the corner of the net.

Then right on half time Buchanan squared the ball to Muirhead but his 20 yard shot was held by the keeper.

The second half opened with a shot from Mutch being deflected for a corner and minutes later a 20 yard free kick from Lamont whistled just over the bar.

At the other end a Brad Smith shot was cleared in the six yard box by Reilly as we looked to double our advantage.

McGurn then had to be alert to pull off a diving save from Wilkie’s 14 yard shot.

Just after the hour a Buchanan corner saw the ball bobble in the East Fife box but the danger was eventually cleared and soon after Mutch sent a cross into the Cowden box but Duggan dragged his shot wide of the post.

Duggan then saw another attempt blocked by Rumsby while a tame 25 yard free kick from Lamont was held by McGurn.

As the game drew to a close another Duggan shot was blocked in the six yard box and a the play switched to the other end with Muirhead being put through on goal by Brad Smith but his final shot saw blocked by Goodfellow.


TEAM: McGurn, McInally, Swann, Syme, Rumsby, Leslie, Whitaker (Denton 77), Buchanan, Garden (Morris 90), B Smith & Muirhead. Subs not used: Penman, Connelly & Kellichan.

Goal: Garden (38).

Booked: Buchanan (77).


EAST FIFE: Goodfellow, Kane, Page, Watson, Lamont (Slattery 73), Smith (Duggan 62), Wilkie (Dunsmore 73), Wilson, Millar, Mutch & Reilly.