Caledonian Braves vs Cowdenbeath

Fraser Godden

The Caledonian Braves wrapped up their Lowland League campaign with a thrilling comeback win against Cowdenbeath.

The match finished 3-2 following goals from Clocherty, Gemmell and Cusick and two fantastic assists from Cammy Breadner.

The game began in disastrous fashion for the dark blues as the unfamiliar centre-back pairing of Archie Graham and Greig Stewart were caught napping by the Blue Brazil’s Healy and Butterworth.

A slack pass from Graham allowed Butterworth to pounce and his shot, which looked to be going wide, was diverted into the goal by a frantic Graham.

As has been the case throughout the season, the Braves grew into the match and began to take control in the latter stages of the first half. Cammy Breadner, Cowdenbeath’s tormentor in chief, showed glimpses of his pace and trickery in the early stages.

It was through the young winger’s tenacity and skill that the equaliser came in the 36th minute. Following a clipped pass from Robbie Stewart, Breadner received the ball on the touchline with his back to goal. With a drop of the shoulder and feet fast as lightning, Breadner hit the by-line, leaving his defender in his wake. His cut back to Aiden Clocherty caused confusion in the Cowden defence and Clocherty calmly slotted home to level the match.

The score line remained the same as the half-time whistle sounded: a fair reflection on the balance of play throughout.

In similar fashion to the first half, the Braves were slow out of the blocks and paid for their profligacy when, in the 56th minute, Jamie Docherty coolly curled home for Cowdenbeath following another defensive mishap from the Braves; this time Matty Collins the offender.

The dark blues offered little for the home fans to cheer about at Alliance Park and the match, and season, looked to be petering out from a Braves perspective.

In an attempt at wrestling momentum back in favour of his men, Ricky Waddell made several substitutes, including the electric Josh Gemmell.

This move was to prove decisive as Gemmell confidently despatched Cammy Breadner’s fizzing cross into the net in the 84 th minute to level the match.

The drama did not end there as both teams pushed for a winning goal. With a minute left on the clock, Scott Cusick halted a Cowdenbeath attack on the halfway line and drove towards goal. With a trademark drop of the shoulder, the diminutive midfielder evaded a challenge and passed the ball to Josh Gemmell on the wing. Gemmell whipped a dangerous ball into the box, eventually falling at the feet of Cusick who smashed the ball home.

This proved decisive and the match ended 3-2 to the Braves.

The victory sealed 12 th place in the league for the Braves and extended their winning run to five matches. Cowdenbeath finished the season in 10 th place, one point ahead of the Braves.

Caledonian Braves manager, Ricky Waddell, said: “It couldn’t have got off to a worse 20 minutes. We were just miles off it for whatever reason. It’s not a bad attitude; I think these things happen, but I want us to be so much better than that going forward into next season.

“But full credit to them. I always know when it’s a tight game that 'we’ve got a chance here'. No matter how bad we’re playing or what the situation is 'we’ll get a chance, we’ll do something.'

“I think we only really had four chances in the game and scored three so from that end, I’m happy with that.”