East Fife 2-0 Cowdenbeath

That’s not to say they had it all their own way in this Betfred Cup Kingdom derby against Cowdenbeath, the visitors maybe edging things in the opening 45.

But once Darren Young’s men shifted up a gear after the interval, they won going away.

Gary Bollan’s League Two visitors will have watched on in envy during the close season as some of their division counterparts splashed the cash on eye catching signings.

But on this evidence they’ll be absolutely fine.

They took the game to East Fife in the opening stages, Graham Taylor and the really impressive Ross Clarke passing up excellent chances to break the deadlock.

East Fife didn’t offer nearly as much of a threat and it took until nearly the 20 minute mark for them to fashion an effort at goal.

But what a chance it was.

Cowden were guilty of wasting possession in the middle of the park and the Fifers pounced.

Danny Swanson played Ryan Wallace through on goal but his shot rebounded off the base of the post.

It was to be the best chance of the half for the Methil men with Kris Renton passing up another opportunity for Bollan’s side before the interval.

Also shortly before the break came an injury to East Fife’s Aaron Dunsmore, the midfielder replaced by Danny Denholm.

Denholm’s introduction sparked some new life into East Fife and in the second half they were a completely different proposition.

Scott Agnew and Jack Hamilton imposed themselves on the game as the roles were completely reversed.

It was Cowdenbeath’s turn to do some defending, Hamilton and Swanson both going close.

By now the home side were camped out inside the Cowden half and it was a case of when, not if, they opened the scoring.

The goal came on 69 minutes, Hamilton heading home from close range.

It knocked the stuffing out of the Blue Brazil and East Fife set about closing the game out.

Kevin Smith was introduced from the bench and his excellent cross field pass found Ryan Wallace inside the box.

Wallace let the ball bounce before lashing a stunning drive high into the roof of the net.

It wasn’t vintage stuff at times from East Fife but they had more than enough in reserve to see off their visitors.

Now the cobwebs are well and truly blown away, Young’s men will aim to make it a derby double this weekend when they travel to Stark’s Park.

East Fife: Long, Murdoch (Watson 86), Slattery, Higgins, Dunlop, Davidson, Agnew (Newton 86), Dunsmore (Denholm 42), Swanson (Watt 76), Wallace, Hamilton (Smith 76).

Subs: Hart, Collins.

Cowdenbeath: Sinclair, Mullen, Clarke, Toss, Barr, Miller, Taylor, Buchanan, Renton (Kavanagh 52), Herd (Swann 59), Hamilton.

Subs: Pollock, Sneddon, Whyte, Owens, Glass.