THE weekend’s games showed exactly how tough Betfred Cup Group C is going to be for League 2 side Cowdenbeath and non league Buckie Thistle.

Both gave decent accounts of themselves with Buckie only losing by two goals at Dundee and Cowden losing out eventually by three at Tannadice.

But the fact is that taking on full-time outfits at this stage of the season is a big ask for part-time sides.

And the Blue Brazil have a tough week coming up with Premiership Dundee coming to Central Park tonight (Wednesday) at 7.45pm and then Cowden heading for Kirkcaldy on Saturday to close their programme against League One Raith Rovers.

The Dees, who beat Raith by a late goal last midweek, and Buckie 2-0 on Saturday, will be looking to collect another three points from their visit to Central to keep their chances of winning the group.

For Cowden it is another chance to pit their wits against a good full-time outfit and maybe cause a shock.

The performance against United on was a one which saw Cowdenbeath battle away but they were eventually just worn down by the hosts although the final scoreline was a little bit unkind on them.

Manager Billy Brown was happy enough with what he saw: “These type of games are difficult for the part-time outfits at the best of times but so early in the season it is very hard to match these teams for sharpness.

“However, we kept working hard to stay in the game and posed them a few problems from time to time. I really could not have asked for more from them.”

He his looking for the same approach from his troops in the remaining two games.

He added: “Dundee will be very difficult opponents with their Premiership squad but the important thing is that we compete and the young players go out there and learn as the game unfolds.

“Dundee are competing with United for top spot saw it will not be easy for us at all but we can learn a lot from playing against this type of opposition.

“Although the Raith Rovers game will not see either team really looking for a win to effect the top two placings it will be a Fife derby with all the competitive edge that carries.

“We want to win it and that will be the target but clearly Rovers will have that plan too so it will be a really competitive fixture.”

Cowden will have to do without attacking midfielders Jack Whittaker (broken foot bone) for a month or so but with defender John Ovenstone having joined from the junior ranks as player/assistant manager and a couple of more players interesting the manager there will be competition for places.