Injury-hit Cowdenbeath ship four goals to East Kilbride

AS Cowdenbeath’s injury crisis worsens they found reigning Lowland League champs East Kilbride too much to handle at Central Park on Saturday.

The Blues started the game with only 15 fit players and the problems didn't stop there with sub Jake Sutherland having to go off with a wrist injury, while Sam Newman and Jack Denham also had to be replaced.

The Saturday-Tuesday programme of the past four weeks - eight games in August alone - has been taking a heavy toll on the Cowdenbeath squad.

Despite their woes, they made a game of it in the second half and had chances to trouble EK but in the end the title chasers took advantage of the Blues' diminished strength to run out comfortable winners.

Cowdenbeath lost 4-1 to last season's Lowland League champs, East Kilbride, at Central Park on Saturday. (Image: David Wardle)

The visitors started positively and in two minutes Joao Balde guided a header just off target, then Jack Leitch’s low drive was blocked by Denham.

At the other end, Jamie Docherty fired in a shot which deflected off Jordan McGregor and just cleared the bar.

Balde then made a great run past three defenders and his shot was well saved by Josh Blair. And in the 19th minute the visitors were ahead.

A cheap free-kick was expertly fired low into the corner of the net by Andrew McDonald.

He was at it again four minutes later with another McDonald free kick flying into Blair's net.

Cowden tried to hit back in the second half and a free kick from Docherty was brilliantly parried by Matthew Connelly.

Rough and tumble. The Blues have eight matches in August and the heavy workload hasn't helped their growing injury list. (Image: David Wardle)

Skipper Robbie McNab then saw his effort at goal blocked by McDonald.

EK were always a threat and just before the hour Blair pulled of a fine save from Andy Stirling’s shot.

Cowden pulled one back when Rhys Walker dispossessed David Murray and the forward squared to the unmarked Sutherland to tap home.

However, in 65 minutes Mick Kennedy's men restored their two goal lead when after a good run by Stirling, Leitch thumped the ball into the corner of the net. 

Stirling wrapped up the scoring with a spectacular strike. 

Cowdenbeath: Blair, Dunsmore, Newman (Kerr 51), McLean, Denham (Jordan 51), McNab, Whyte, Burke, Healy (Sutherland 51, Guiney 83) , Docherty, Walker.

Subs not used, Lynch (gk).

East Kilbride: Connelly, Ferguson, Lockie, McDonald, Leitch, Balde, Elliot (Livingstone 75), Robertson, Stirling (Boyd 75), McGregor (Fagan 48), Spence (Mimnaugh 75).

Subs not used, Biggar and Wilson (gk).

Referee: Greg Soutar.

Attendance: 309