On Saturday 4th of May we face Cowdenbeath for the 4th and final time this season. Honours have remained obstinately even to date, with an away defeat and draw sandwiching a home victory for Accies. Stevie May has already scored twice against these particular Fifers and his current form suggests he might well add to that total.
While Accies have defined their season magnificently in the last month or so, this match remains important in that it could lead to a recently-unthinkable 3rd place finish. Cowdenbeath will be no pushovers, with their own future in the play-off balance. Matters are not in their own hands, in that a Dunfermline victory will secure 1st Div football for the Pars next year. The Blue Brazil need to win at NDP and hope that Dunfermline don't win at home to Airdrie. A cruel outcome could see Cowdenbeath win their 3rd game in 10 but still be ambushed by the likes of Alloa or Brechin in a play-off. Accies will be keen not to show our visitors any on-field hospitality in the knowledge that a victory guarantees a 4th place finish in this most competitive of leagues.
Accies have few availability worries (McShane apart) and the starting line up may well be the team that played from the 17th - 89th minutes in last week's fine win at Morton. As well as prospect of a keenly-fought 90 mins on the park, Accies fans have the added incentive of an audience with club Chairman Les Gray immediately after the game. It promises to be an interesting afternoon.
It's a shame the season's ending just as we seem to be getting into our stride. If this was early season, we'd be looking to challenge for promotion, on recent form. I'll maintain that note of optimism even if, as seems possible, we lose today (Cowdenbeath have more at stake) and end up slipping back a place. Hopefully the weather holds and we have a good day for it today, hopefully we see a good game, and hopefully we get the win we know we're capable of. Looking forward to next season, whatever it brings, already.
ReplyDeleteThe last month has transformed the season for everyone associated with Accies. If the season wasn't finishing I wonder just how far the current confidence, momentum and a good young team could have taken us? We will never know, however there's now an optimism for next season which feels justified. In the meantime I'm looking forward to a good game today and hopefully 3 more points.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to enjoy today as i have no idea what I'm looking forward to next season. Likely to be no Steve May, don't know what league we will be playing in and don't know whether we will be playing on grass or artificial surface! At least the close season should be interesting
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