Good hello to you! Welcome back to Cowdenbeath for the twenty third instalment of this journey. If you’re new to us, we started in Division 3 twenty-two short weeks ago (with a little break in the middle) and here we are, still trying to hunt down that first Scottish Premier Division title. A couple of second places have given us hope, now we just need to find a way to finish above both Old Firm sides and not just one. Here’s how we sit after the opening exchanges of season 9.

Things get off to a slightly above average start with a 1-0 win over Falkirk. They’re 5th and playing the role Raith Rovers from the previous few seasons. Hard to break down but not much of a threat. We move.

Big game in the Champions League as we…fold very badly at home to Real Madrid. What’s worse is Pavlov gets sent off and will miss the last two group games. Hmm.

It’s still in our hands as we face Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow, both away from home. Without Pavdog. Work to be done.

This is the N’Doram regen. For £5k, he represents tremendous value. It’s a fourth non-EU player but with Harold Lozano getting on a bit, I’m fine with it.

A dominant win at Airdrie gets the Real Madrid loss out of our system.

We now face Rangers twice in three days following an International break. At Ibrox, we briefly lead 2-1 but an away point is very welcome.

Sadly at home we can’t repeat the feat in our own house as the home faithful suffer another loss in a big game.

Eyes back on the European prize in Vienna and we need somebody to step up in Pavdog’s absence. Fotiadis is that man, opening the scoring before bundling home a late winner. That’s a huge win.

Super. If we can win in Russia, we’re in the knockouts.

Another player for the squad depth, with Lozano possibly non-EU’d out of the team we’re good to have another wing back option.

Partick Thistle are brushed aside. The better news comes over in Edinburgh…

Hibs! It’s rare either of the Old Firm drop points to other teams so we have to celebrate it.

Judgment day in Moscow. Billy Mac of all people pops up with the winner, it wasn’t pretty but with Rapid Vienna winning in Madrid we actually needed it.

Belter.

I’m not sure there’s a good draw but it’s not Celtic, so that’s a positive.

We have our own bad day out in Edinburgh which ends in defeat. I blame our European excursions.

On the same day as the latest Old Firm clash ends in a draw. A good result for us, I think.

The three horse race is on again.

Raith Rovers have lost their resolve. Syx is getting better all the time and Ajao gets his first for the club.

Off we go to Celtic Park where we so nearly pull off a draw. A late goal means we leave in disappointment again. I am getting sick of these green and white nuisances.

Ajao has the taste for it now and wraps up a comfortable win over Hibs. It is marred by Freestone, our keeper, getting sent off, but whatever.

Dundee United are smashed two days later as we enjoy a superb end and then beginning to a year. Could it be our year?

The stoic Falkirk are eventually broken down by Pavdog. On we go.

Airdire are the next to feel our wrath. We’re in superb form.

Rangers drop more points! If Celtic can start being equally profligate that would help.

Time for a quick cup win over Clydebank. I’ll never not try to win a game but we have bigger fish to fry.

Revenge is extracted over Hearts. We were in control from the second minute.

An eventful Old Firm derby sees Celtic win again but the headline is Celtic’s goalkeeper was sent off and Denilson missed the resulting penalty. The 10 men then scored the winner late on. They’re going to take some stopping.

Finally though, every dog has his day. Rangers, perhaps on the ropes a little, can’t break us down and the pretty much forgotten about Dale climbs off the bench to smash home a late winner. At Ibrox. A red letter day for us.

There we are then, all that to remain second. Six points behind Celtic with 13 to play. That sounds a lot on paper.

We do have Celtic to play twice and they also have to go to Ibrox, so it’s going to be an absolute doozy next week. Let’s have a quick check in with the squad, it has been a while.

There is of course also the culmination of our Champions League campaign to look forward to. PSG over two legs will be no picnic. They’ve still got Maurice and have added Zidane, who somehow isn’t a star player.

Have a great week everyone – see you next Sunday for more Cowdenfun.