A Little Ambition....

On the bus we got to make our way out to Dumbarton for this weekends match. The lads knew it was an important match to take three points, as it would push our squad up the table. Dumbarton came out looking a little flat and were exposed at the back on a few occasions early into the match. We went into the changeroom 2-0 up and the message from the coach was to not let down. The second half was more memorable for the 25 yard strike that put our team up 3-0. As the whistle blew for full time we knew that we made some kind of gains in the table. When we gathered for post match eats, the team found out we jumped from 8th position in the table to 5th. It's still very early in the season but we're closer to the top of the table now and it's still very tight within the whole league. A win alone can push a team up a couple spots. So now there is a little excitement to do well because the thought of division 1 football is in the back of everyone's minds as well as the taste of success. Plenty of hard work to get through first, as the season is still young.

Cowdenbeath FC 3-0 Dumbarton

(Ross County Stadium)

Earlier on in the week the reserve side had a match out in Ross County where we went down 2-0 by halftime. This was a game of two halfs, I felt that we had a couple chances that could have turned the game around if we had put them away in the first half. The second half was a better performance as the team found better shape and played more like a unit. As we all know you have to show up to play 90 plus minutes, no matter how long bus drive is before the game. This upcoming Tuesday the reserve side will see East Fife at our grounds for a 730pm kickoff.

Cowdenbeath 0-2 Ross County (Reserve Match)

The First 3.

A new team, a new league, a new country, but most importantly a new opportunity to grow as a goalkeeper and person. Many things have happened on my journey to get this far, they will only make me stronger to carry me further as this is only the begining. Today Clyde FC was our challenge at Central Park, they have been off to a slow start this season finding themselves near the bottom of the table as well. My teammates and staff have been keeping very positive over the past couple of weeks knowing that the first 3 points were just around the corner. The weather was unreal for Scottish tradition, looked like a perfect summers day in Canada. We ended up going up 1-0 before the halftime. The team knew that the 3 points were ours for the taking depending on how we performed in the second half. The game was a little scrappy from time to time, but that's how the game goes sometimes. I was glad to see the team play through the full 90 minutes to clinch the first win of the season, definately lifts a heavy load from our backs and gives the fans what they deserve. Although I didn't play any minutes today this week has been another important one for me. I've been settling in with my new club this week a little more and starting to talk a bit more with some of the guys. They're all very easy to get along with and some tend to be quite the character from time to time. We tend to be quite the young side but I feel there is a tight bond, which will help the squad as the season progresses. Although my bum was sore from sitting on the bench today, I felt a part of the team in its first victory of the season. Next weekend we take a road trip to Dumbarton and another chance to travel up the table!

Final: Cowdenbeath FC 1-0 Clyde FC

A Childhood Dream, a Professional Save.

Every child who dreams about the game begins their dream by visualizing themselves walking out of the tunnel. They picture themselves playing for their favourite team in the whole wide world and as they run out onto the fresh cut pitch, they hear the thundering roar of the crowd and that's where the emotions end. The other night my dream came true infront of 185 fans, on a perfect night for Scotlands reputation of wind and rain. It was the Fife cup semi finals and Raith Rovers came to our park for the match. I felt good in the warm up taking in some skipping balls to adjust to the weather conditions of Scotland. I feel sorry for the person who had to wash the white track top as a result from the warmup, white's usually not the choice of colour for keepers. The team gathered in the changeroom before the kickoff and it was clear what the message was on that day. All we had to do was go out there and enjoy it, take advantage of our opportunity to show our coach that we can play and deserve a spot in the starting 11. Through the tunnel, past the fence and over the race car track to the pitch, which was perfect for play. During the first half it felt like most of the pressure was in our end with a couple opportunities to get a strike on Rovers goal as well. Raith scored just a few moments before half time with a strike from 20 yards out to the backside of the net through traffic. Once the ref blew his whistle I was curious to see how the guys would react in the second half. The second half showed the team's character as we battled back together, everyone was doing their job. We managed to equalize with just a few minutes before full time, on a cracking goal driven to the back post! The match had ended not to much after that and we headed straight into penalties. Raith took the first kick and managed to sneak it by. I was thankful that all my teammates hit the target and did well to make it very difficult for the Rovers keeper by putting a lot of pace on the shot. Raith found themselves in a position having to score in order to continue on. The striker stepped up to the spot to do his part. I on the other hand was feeling pretty good because all the pressure was on him and for a keeper to make any sort of save in penalties could make him the hero. He placed his kick to my right and as I made motion to dive to my right I knew I had the save made before my hands got to the ball. There's something special about going the right direction as the shot in pk's because you have all the opportunity to make the save, probably one of the best feelings in penaltys. The team managed to put Raith Rovers out of the Fife Cup, which was a good result for us as they are one division higher then us. I was happy with how the team played as a unit and despite going a goal down in the first half they never gave up. A few of the boys picked up some bad knocks after the match but we worked hard for one another. It was definately a good game to have my first experience with Scottish football and I'm definately looking forward to spending more time on the field with the lads. There's not too many pros that can say their first game involved penalty kicks.

Final Score: Cowdenbeath 1-1 Raith Rovers (4-3 pks) (Fife Cup)

Cam

A Hand Shake of Promise, A Signature of Commitment.

Friday August 28th, 2009....A phone call can change your life, from the minute you pick up and say hello, to the last words of talk to you later. This phone call was a special one that I have been hoping for ever since I got off the plane in Scotland, the one that would open the doors of opportunity. The coach of Cowdenbeath F.C asked me to come up to the club to sign a contract with the club on this day. I'd like to thank the people who have helped me on my journey and been behind me all the way, the support you give me is the drive that pushes me further everyday.

Today (Aug 29th) I dressed for my first game with my new club. Our opponents for today was East Fife at their stadium. A nice pitch on a clear day but very windy. When I walked into the changeroom today I loved the energy amongst the team and everyone was just happy that it was match day, the day where all your hard work from the week pays off. During the match I felt our team looked stronger. We got on the board first with a scramble infront of the goal from the corner kick in the first half. East Fife got themselves back in the game in the second half to give a final result of 1-1. I felt we should have claimed all 3 points, but that's how the game goes when you miss a couple chances. Despite being on the bench today, I really enjoyed the game day experience and just having a chance to mold with my teammates. As time goes by I will become stronger with those who choose to do battle with me on the park. I will keep you guys posted as the weeks go by. All the best.

Cam.

The Blue Brazil.

Another week has gone by and another week of waiting for the phone to ring. This time through a coached called me from Cowdenbeath (division 2), otherwise known as the blue brazil, which funny enough anyone I've asked doesn't know why. Tuesday night they played in the Scottish cup against Dundee, which ended up in a 3-0 loss for Cowdenbeath. It was going to be an interesting night before I even got to see the grounds as I had a tough time getting in. I'll never forget the moment I walked into this stadium as I noticed a fence going all the way around the field and more importantly the fact that there was some form of a track around it. Unlike many facilities where a running track may be around the soccer pitch, this was totally surprise. This track was for racing cars around! I couldn't believe it, so when I got home I went onto youtube to check it out and it was just that. The Thursday night I attended training with the team, which was interesting as well. We ran a lap of the field for warm up quick stretch and to hear nothing but ''ok Cam get in goals.'' I was surprised that the coach was stepping right into a shooting drill without even getting a feel for the ball first. Practice went well, knowing that there was potential to get a game on the upcoming Saturday, pending on international clearance. Unfortunately I didn't receive any clearance, which wouldn't surprise me being from Canada, the csa always does this, takes their sweet time. So no games just yet, kind of getting itchy for one as it's been a while since I've properly kicked someone. I'm hoping that this week will be more productive on the field and I'll be closer to finding a team. I'll hopefully have some more information soon. Click the link below to see the entertaining field! Take care,

CENTRAL PARK COWDENBEATH

Cam

First Save.

It's been almost a week and after a little bit of phone tag I've finally managed to get my first training session in with a club called Forfar Athletic. When my cousin dropped me off at the field it was a bit funny because none of the players were there, but there were some younger children getting ready for practice. It was a bit funny cause there was some slight hesitation that someone had set me up for a laugh. The team did finally show and I met with the manager. Then my favourite part of joining a new team, sitting in the changeroom with that awkward silence because you're a loner and don't know anyone haha. I don't find it difficult at all to understand what people say over here but when you're in a concrete cell (changeroom) and you have about 5-10 different people talking at the same time then it becomes a bit troubling. I was really glad to be back on the pitch and training again. Myself and two other keepers trained with the keeper coach for a majority of the session and then took in some shots with the rest of the team for the last part of the session. After the session I spoke with the coach who was pleased with my performance and said that I've done well for myself. He wants me to stick around and we'll see where this yellow brick road goes.

Flight To The Dream.

The day has finally come! Many people have asked me if I'm getting excited about what lays across the ocean. Up until the drive to the airport I had no emotion. Now they're scattered everywhere as if I were struggling to open a pack of candy and it exploded everywhere. The excitement is building as I get closer to begining the chase. An interesting point was made by my girlfriend as she took me to the airport. We were talking about how i feel like I'm on the plane all the time and then she says to me, "it seems like everytime your on a plane your life changes its path." I remember in grade 5 I did an assignment on becoming a pro footballer. From that point until now alot of things have happened on the field and off, great times and bad. I'm confident about this opportunity because the fight of a warrior, a leader, is in my blood; just look at my parents that's who they are. I can't appreciate anything more then the people around me. Friends who believe in me, a family who loves me, teammates who battle with me, coaches who challenge me and those opponents who try to stop me from tasting success. Come Monday I will have my first training session and my first step across the white line where the path to reality begins. As they say shoot for the moon, land amongst the stars. Until Monday, from the keeper who catches strikers dreams, take care of yourself and others.

Cam