Not since the days of Mervyn Jones and Bobby McCulley have there been such dramatic scenes at a Cowden v Shire match at Central Park. This semi final play off had a sensational ending.
Cowden's only change from the first leg was Jon Robertson coming in for the injured Danny Mackay. Cowden were deservedly 2-1 up after the first leg. Indeed, after finishing ahead of Shire in the League and beating them 4 times and drawing once in the 5 encounters this season they surely merited advancement to the final.
In the crowd were former Cowden stars from recent years - Liam Buchanan (now at Partick), Pat Clarke (now at recently relegated Clyde), Pat Scullion and Dougie Hill (played at Alloa last season) and Craig 'Toorie' Winter (now at Forfar).
The tie was soon on a knife edge though as Cowden made the start they did not want. Darren McGregor, the best player in the 3rd Division this season, made an uncharacteristic error in just 3 minutes. Davie Hay was left stranded when Darren's headed backpass fell short. Brian Graham rounded the keeper to gleefully fire the ball home. A disastrous moment for the Blue Brazil. Inspired by this gift the Shire looked threatening for the next 15 minutes or so. The Cowden defence though was marshalled once more by McGregor, the ebullient Mark Baxter and the calm confidence of Davie Hay.
The match then settled down into a dour stalemate with little football in evidence. Jay Shields made a valuable tackling contribution in midfield albeit he picked up his normal booking. Bolo and Gemmell meanwhile fought out a hard, no quarter battle.
The main other incident of note in the half came when Shire boss Jim McInally was banished to the stand by ref Tumelty for his antics. The Shire dugout also got another warning for their behaviour later on.
At half time a Soccer Am style shootout was played between Cowden and Shire fans with the Blue Brazil fans emerging victorious - an omen for the second half?
At half time a Soccer Am style shootout was played between Cowden and Shire fans with the Blue Brazil fans emerging victorious - an omen for the second half?
The second half brought more of the same and Cowden gradually began to just edge matters. Tomana and Dempster's introduction seemed to add a little bit of impetus. Chances though were few and far between. Tully headed wide at the far post when it seemed easier to score for the Shire. However, Mark Ramsay almost found the mark from a Linton cross. Then John Armstrong shot past when he seemed to have the goal at his mercy.
Then came the fateful 84th minute and incredible scenes which will live long in the memory of those who witnessed them. A high ball into the Shire box was headed goalwards by Darren McGregor and keeper Mark Peat failed to hold it. John Dempster was on hand to prod the ball goalwards. Peat tried to recover and clawed the ball back. The Cowden players claimed a goal and the ref turned to the terracing side linesman who was in perfect position. He immediately signalled the goal to prompt wild scenes of celebration by the Cowden players and fans.
Elsewhere mayhem broke out though. The referee was detained on the edge of the box by a posse of Shire players whilst another squad of Shire players assailed the linesman back at halfway. A lengthy stoppage ensued and it was soon clear that the Shire tantrums would only produce one outcome. Sure enough the ref raised the red card. He then saw his besieged linesman standing with his flag raised and raced over to consult him. His next trip was to the centre circle to administer another red card and 'then there were nine' was the Shire story. Bolo and Anderson made the walk of shame.
Incredibly while all this was going on, Jim McInally reappeared pitchside by the Shire dugout. The stand side linesman was oblivious to his presence though as he watched the amazing scenes involving his colleagues elsewhere on the pitch. Cowden fans though in best pantomime style were shouting 'behind you' to the unwary linesman. However, when the Cowden physio suggested Mr McInally should actually be in the stand, an argument broke out between them which drew the linesman's attention to McInally's presence at last. He raised his flag and the20Mr Tumelty again was called into dramatic action. The raging Shire boss was sent to the Stand for the second time.
Cowden then deftly ran down the last few minutes against the shorthanded Shire and could have grabbed another couple of goals. Cowden fans, players and management were justly joyous when the full time whistle came. However, this prompted the resumption of Shire hostilities. As Cowden players and staff wisely kept out of it, the Shire manager in a fury headed for a confrontation again with the officials. A linesman ended up grappling with him to try and keep him from getting to the referee. Shire players and their chairman also seemed to be involved in this major melee at the mouth of the tunnel as the astonished fans looked on. The Referee sought sanctuary behind his locked dressing room door.
Cowden thus go on to death of glory in the play off final while Shire having performed so creditably must look to build on the progress they have made for next season. Statistics suggest that their disciplinary record was a poor one over the season and this may well have cost them dear in their promotion challenge. It certainly looks like today's antics will bring major repercussions.