A Blue Brazil Guide To Division Two

24 May 2011 20:46
Our regular continutor on all things Cowdenbeath looks forward to season 2011-12 Cowdenbeath FC are back in familiar territory after their jaunt to the second tier of Scottish League football last season. It is more familiar opposition for the Blue Brazil in 2011/12 with some sides more used to the basement of Scottish football coming up for a Fife side going down to more humble surroundings in the new campaign.  Current Blue Brazil manager Jimmy Nicholl has a severely reduced budget for the new League campaign and has lost experienced striker Stevie Crawford, stalwart goalie Davie Hay (201 appearances) and another experienced campaigner in Lee Makel from his squad relegated from Division One with Stirling Albion. The Fifers face what might end up being the most competitive of all Scotland's four divisions after August. Here are the other runners and riders....... Albion Rovers - Cynics might say that the Blue Brazil and Coatbridge's finest should have a play-off to see who has the worst ground in Scotland. Rovers promotion to Div Two is similar to Cowden's promotion to Div One last season. The Lanarkshire side will be punching above their weight in the new season but it's unlikely that Cowden will beat them 7-1 as they did in 1978 seven days after losing 4-3 at Cliftonhill ! Arbroath - Another familiar away day for Blue Brazilians returns as the 3rd Division champions celebrate their first ever title. Cowdenbeath fans can relate to that.. it was 67 years between titles on the last two occasions Cowden picked up national silverware. Stirling Albion - Relegated with the Blue Brazil to Div 2 in 2010/11. Hard to tell if the Binos will be a force under Jocky Scott in the new campaign after going straight down but Cowden's 3-4 win in Braveheart country after being 3-1 down at one stage was one of their First Division highlights. East Fife - Prepare for all the familiar jibes about soap dodging Cowden fans and the lack of  TV sets once you reach Central Fife  from those Methil funsters. A classic case of the pot calling the kettle black?  A derby to savour! Brechin City - A third consecutive season featuring play-off matches between the Fife blues and the Angus reds is entirely possible! City beat Cowden in the Div 1 play-off semi last season only to fall to Ayr United who were promoted with Livingston. Forfar Athletic - The third of Cowden's trips to the county of Angus in the new season. Another potential promotion rival from Tayside. At time of writing Cowdenbeath born twins and former Central Park regulars Ian and Dick Campbell still in charge at Station Park. Dick also managed Cowden in the 80's. Airdrie United - The second of Cowdenbeath's trips to Lanarkshire this season. Better surroundings than Cliftonhill for sure and probably  a tougher test on the pitch as four league games v The Diamonds beckon  We shall see if the 'Beath shine.  Stenhousemuir - Cowden v Stenny used to be the game all those English Groundhoppers used to save up their pennies for. More of a romantic tie on the pools coupon than in reality but if you are a fan of the late John Peel you might like to know he once named a radio show he was doing Cowdenbeath 2 Stenhousemuir 2! Dumbarton - Another of those unknown quantity sides that could make the third tier of Scottish League football interesting in 2011/12. The first two league matches between the sides were in season 1906/7 when Dumbarton won 4-0 at home and lost 3-2 at North End Park, Cowdenbeath.

Source: FOOTYMAD