It's amazing how a match report can change shape during the course of 90 minutes. After the opening 45 minutes, I was trying to think of superlatives for a stunning first half from Fossoway leading 4-1 and cruising almost certainly into Round 4 of the Kelme Scottish Cup. Just 45 minutes later, I feel like I'm writing an obituary as Mr Hyde appeared in typical Fossoway fashion as Cowie capitalised to run out unlikely winners based on the first half.
The Myre survived the recent bad weather (unfortunately!) and Foss got off to the best possible start when Kieran Wilson prodded home from close range Lewis Caulfield's cut back in just the 1st minute.
The match started fairly evenly though with few goal opportunities, but the visitors got back on level terms in the 11th minute in quite fortuitous circumstances with what appeared to be a cross from Aaron Causby deceiving everyone and ending up in the top far corner. Cowie had a couple of chances when Mark Robertson tipped an effort behind for a corner and from the resultant set piece, a header by Smith went wide.
Fossoway, though, were looking dangerous on the break and regained the lead in the 15th minute after Forrester was brought down on the run on the corner of the area. Forrester elected to take the free kick himself, and curled a spectacular effort over the wall and beyond the keeper into the near post. Moments later it could have been 3-1 when Forrester cut inside the six yard box and had an effort parried by the keeper and Scott Sneddon's follow up was blocked.
Foss were picking Cowie off at ease on the break at this point. Forrester was having a lot of joy down the left and on another break on the left he sent a pin-point ball into the far corner of the area just beating the head of the defender but was superbly controlled on the chest by Andrew Reade who kept his cool to fire home past the keeper in the 28th minute. It was a great goal to watch and Foss were playing with much confidence.
Minutes later it was 4-1 with Kieran Wilson managing to evade being hacked down and broke on the left with the attackers outnumbering defenders. The ball was passed along the line before ending up with Ciaran Reilly firing home a low shot into the net on 31 minutes.
Foss were cruising at this point and playing some of the best football this season. Sneddon had a goal disallowed for offside in the 39th minute after Forrester's effort was saved but the half ended with tails up and thoughts perhaps looking at a completed job.
How wrong could you be? Cowie came out for the second half rejuvenated, and forced Robertson into an early save. Sadly the inevitable happened in true Fossoway style, they conceded on 60 minutes through Craig Irvine, before the visiting number 18 added to his tally just four minutes later to make it 4-3.
Foss couldn't stem the flow of the game as it was turning into the opposite of the opening half and Cowie completed their comeback with a deflected shot from Masson in the 67th minute to make it 3 goals in just 7 second half minutes to make it 4-4.
The game was edging towards a replay next Saturday in Stonehaven when there was a flash point between Andy Gourlay and a Cowie player. Gourlay was given a straight red whilst the Cowie sub received yellow.
It heartbreaking fashion, Cowie snatched the winner in the 92nd minute from Causby and then put the ball into the net again in the 95th minute to complete the unlikely 6-4 scoreline.
If ever there was a game of two halves, this has to rank up there with them. A disappointing end to Fossoway's Scottish Cup adventures when it was looking plain sailing in the first half.
Thanks to everyone from Cowie for coming to Kinross. Have a safe trip home and best wishes for the rest of the season.
