A Son of the Rock

Central Park, 20/3/10

This: was dire.

I thought I’d plumbed the depths at Ochilview last week but this was worse. Neither team had much of a clue.

Two clean sheets in a row, though! The world has turned upside down. This one was in the end down to Dr Jan, who made a fantastic double save with about two minutes to go when it would have been easier for the guy to score.

We had two shots on target. One from Wyness in the first half – it was class but it was the only thing he did all game – the other from Kieran Brannan, who looked lively when he replaced Andy Geggan (whose midfield dig we missed when he went off as it allowed Cowdenbeath to begin to dominate more than they had already. Apart from Geggan our midfield wasn’t really in the game. We could have done with Ross Clark in there. Injured again it seems.)

Stevie Murray had the worst game I’ve seen him play, misplaced passes all afternoon, flicks not coming off. I’d have hoicked him before half time never mind with fifteen minutes left.

Martin McNiff was in; apparently for his long throws. What is the point of this when their back four are giants? (Btw, Joe Mbu was born to be a centre back. Imagine Sol Campbell without the silky skills.) Putting our big men up left us vulnerable to the quick break. We got away with it only because Cowdenbeath were rubbish at exploiting it. They had a four on two once in the second half and squandered it.

The ref and his linesmen didn’t seem to be able to communicate with each other at all. Several times they looked at each other to see what the decision should be and still mucked it up. This business with the flag not going up for offside till the player tries for the ball is very frustrating for the fans. The stand side official took some stick because he was apparently not giving “first phase” offside when it was obvious.

But ….. a point gained and more distance from ninth place. I’d have taken that before the game.