Callum Morris hopes Cowdenbeath’s stock cars can help Dunfermline roar their way to play-off success.
The two teams are neck and neck in the race to land a place in next season’s Championship alongside Rangers, Hearts and possibly even Hibs.
Wednesday’s first leg at Central Park ended 1-1, meaning whoever wins the return meeting at East End Park will join the second-tier excitement and consign the loser to League One.
In front of their home crowd and in the familiar surroundings of their own stadium, the Pars would appear to have the upper hand in what is effectively now a one-off cup tie.
However, as this season’s Championship team, it should have been Cowdenbeath hosting tomorrow’s second leg, only for the venues to be switched because of a clash with a British and World Championship stock car event at Central Park.
Morris is thrilled to be able to play his part in the play-offs this season after missing last year’s because of an injury picked up on the last day of the leaguecampaign and reckons the Pars will benefit from being at home for the decider.
He said: “The whole season has been building up to these four play-off games and now there’s only one game left. It’s a massive game for the club and for everyone involved.
“We’re all very positive going into Sunday and it’s got the added spice of being a derby as well.
“Hopefully it will benefit us that the second leg is at home on Sunday. Everyone knows that Central Park is not the nicest place to play football but getting them back to East End Park, on the big pitch, probably works out better for us.
“We should have the crowd behind us. I’m sure we’ll have another big crowd and hopefully we can finish off on a high and get that promotion.
“It’s going to be a good game but I think if we approach it the right way we can come on top.”
Cowdenbeath manager Jimmy Nicholl wants his players to pass their way to a win against Dunfermline after being frustrated by their efforts in Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw.
Nicholl explained: “We didn’t play or pass the ball in the manner that we can.
“We were sending everything long to Kane Hemmings to chase and that is something we have not done since I came in.
“We took all of our throw-ins and free-kicks too quickly and everything was just a bit rushed. I have put it down to the occasion getting to the players as we are a better side than we showed.”
The Blue Brazil boss added: “We only played in flashes and to be honest Dunfermline were better than us. We were grateful for Thomas O’Brien heading in our equaliser. However, we are still in things and it is all to play for.”
The Central Park boss was not willing to give his players the excuse of a poor playing surface at their ground.
He explained: “The pitch is not great but it was worse when we played Livingston and beat them 4-0 so we have to accept that it was a bad performance.
“However, we know that the players can do better and they will do better in the second leg.
“Hopefully they will get the ball down and show what they can do. If we get our passing game going then we have a great chance of winning”
The former East End Park assistant manager is confident that being away from home will not prove to be too much of a disadvantage.
He noted: “This season we have gone to Dundee and won. We were four goals up at Hamilton and won there as well.
“We also went to Raith Rovers in a game that we had to win to keep our hopes alive of avoiding the play-offs and won 2-1. We will not be fazed by playing at Dunfermline.”
Midfielder Sammy Stewart is the only absentee for the Blue Brazil.