The Cowden choir was in good voice and they had more to sing about in 30 minutes. The darting Mark Ramsay flashed a ball across goal from the right wing and from an acute angle Jay Stein flashed home one of his signature left foot drives. This was a quality strike and the Cowden fans were ecstatic. 2-0 up in the away leg was a good position to be in. Gemmell then came within inches of adding a third as he shot just over. Half time came with Cowden holding a well deserved lead.
Shire made changes at half time and adopted an increasingly robust approach. Danny Mackay was carried off on a stretcher after a very fierce challenge from the home pivot. In 62 minutes, Rodgers got free in the box and spun round to roll the ball into the corner. It was game on now and Shire pushed hard for an equaliser. Rodgers had several chances but couldn't repeat his earlier strike, Fleming came on for the injured Mackay and near the end the tiring Gerguson and Gemmell were withdrawn to be replaced by the returning Paul McQuade and John Dempster. Nerves were frayed as the game counted down to its conclusion. Finally, though the referee blew for time to the delight of the healthy travelling support. Overall a 2-1 victory was a fair result.
In the 1st half, Cowden were dominant but Shire had the edge in the second 45. Ramsay and Stein after impressing in the 1st half, were less prominent after the break, Jay Shields after a fine first half show had a poor second half earning a yellow card and losing possession too often. The back 4 though was excellent throughout as was stalwart keeper Davie Hay. Head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch though was the magnificent Darren McGregor. He gave an inspirational performance and he is surely destined to ply his trade at a much higher level in the not too distant future.
Now it's roll-on Saturday at Central Park. Advantage Cowden tonight but everything still to play for.