This exceptional debut-day victory for Annan Athletic was as eloquent an argument as any that could be put forward for opening up the Scottish League. The side from the Borders were toying with Cowdenbeath by the end, yet if Gretna had not folded, Annan, their replacements, would not have had the opportunity to show what they can do at a higher level.

Regular promotion and relegation to and from the League would enliven the third division and Annan showed on Saturday what an injection of fresh blood can do for what is at times a fusty strata of Scottish football. By the concluding stages, Annan looked less like apprehensive newcomers than like a side from a higher level handing out a lesson in football to long-time lower-league stalwarts Cowdenbeath.

Henry McClelland, the Annan chairman, on the final whistle rushed from his seat in the directors’ box to shake hands individually with each of the 100 or so fans who had travelled in support of their club.

“That’s the reason why we were voted into the league,” McClelland, in exuberant mood, said of his team’s performance. “It’s not just [about the club’s facilities] off the pitch. This maybe just puts down a wee marker for people that doubted Annan Athletic. I knew we’d not be whipping boys. We’re not getting carried away. This is a season for consolidation.”

Anarchic defending from an apprehensive Annan in the opening 20 minutes saw Paul McQuade, the Cowdenbeath striker, miss an open goal before getting it right in 16 minutes by lifting a shot over Craig Summersgill, the Annan goalkeeper. Mike Jack equalised from the penalty spot on the half-hour after Marek Tomana, the midfield player, had pulled back Kevin Neilson inside the penalty area.

With Annan growing in stature to match their new status, Jack, with a fine volley, put Annan ahead shortly after half-time and a goal from Steve Archibald – a striker but a squat figure who bears no resemblance to his namesake – in 58 minutes finished off Cowdenbeath. Steven Sloan’s neat cross from the right was headed on target by Archibald and when David Hay fumbled his save, Archibald was alert to prod the loose ball over the line. Darren Johnstone, with a carefully measured curling shot into the corner of the net, produced the coup de grâce in the final minute.

Jack, a former Carlisle United player, was one of several Annan players who impressed with a combination of composure, creativity and high workrate. “I don’t think anyone expected us to do that in our first game of the season,” he said. “We’ve just got to build on it now. We’ve got to go on and do it again and again.”

It has taken Annan Athletic 29 years to realise their vision of reaching the Scottish League. They now appear determined to make up for lost time.

Cowdenbeath (4-2-3-1): D Hay 5 – G Cennerazzo 6, J Mbu 5, S Hodge 5, K Adamson 4 – D McGregor 5, J Shields 7 – M Ramsay 5 (sub: S Linton, 65min 5), M Tomana 5 (sub: J Gemmell, 46 4), B Fairbairn 5 – P McQuade 6. Substitutes not used: D Fleming, J Robertson, S Morris.

Annan Athletic (4-4-2):C Summersgill 5 – G Brown 5, K Neilson 5, D Townsley 5, A Inglis 7 – S Sloan 7, C Jardine 8, M Jack 8, L Hoolickin 6 (sub: R Adamson, 67 5) – D Johnstone 8, S Archibald 8.Substitutes not used:S Hill, I Grainger, G Parker, D Calder. Booked:Neilson, Townsley.

Referee N Watters
Attendance 596