The Blue Brazil's home games always take a major hit at this time of year and the Fife side hold the unenviable record of being in second place in the all time Post War list when it comes to Scottish Cup ties most potsponed by winter weather. Their 1977/8 season Third Round replay with Partick Thistle at Central Park was called off nearly 30 times. Only Airdrieonians old Broomfield ground has seen a tie in the national cup competition postponed more times due to the weather and that was in the notorious British winter of 1963. At least both the Perth Saints and Cowden know the prize for victory when their tie is eventually played as the 5th Round draw was made on Monday. Saint Mirren in the last 16 would be something of a cup final for 'Beath as a win over another SPL side would put them in the Quarter Finals for the first time since 1931. The men from McDiarmind Park would certainly fancy their chances in any upcoming clash of the Saints in the SFA Cup and they must already be regarded as one of the favourites for the semi finals in this year's William Hill backed competition. Older Cowden fans will point to three unexpected cup victories over St Mirren that will give the team from Central Park heart should they end up facing old boss Danny Lennon in the last 16 this year. Season 1965/66 saw Cowden beat a more fancied Saint Mirren at Love Street in Round 3 with the only goal of the game coming from future 'Beath manager Andy Matthew. Although Saints gained revenge the very next season at the same stage with a 2-0 win in the Kingdom after a 1-1 draw at Love Street Cowden were again to have the Indian sign over the Saints in a 1975/6 Third Round tie. Alex Ferguson was leading the Paisley men to the top of the First Division as their manager two seasons after ironically netting his last senior goal at Central Park for Ayr in the 3rd Round as the swept to a 0-5 victory. A mid-table Second Division Cowden beat Saints 3-0 with goals from John Murphy (two) and Bobby Morrison and Fergie demonstrated an early version of his famous 'hairdryer' by keeping his Buddies locked in the dressing room for an hour after the tie. The mid 80's again saw St Mirren visit Central Park, this time in the League Cup, and this time the fully fledged Premier League side were beaten 2-0 by a Cowdenbeath side in its customary basement league placing. These results show that Colin Cameron's men can overcome both SPL Saints this season with the usual cup ingredients of determination and luck. Miracles do happen. Even the state of the Central Park pitch in December might take a turn for the better before cup postponement number three.
Source: ScottishFitba
Source: FOOTYMAD
