SO the friendly stuff is over and it is the Betfred Cup this Saturday as Cowdenbeath start their sectional games with a game away to Raith Rovers.

The competition is a tough one for all the part-time teams having on average three full-time outfits per group and in this one the Blue Brazil will face the Rovers, from League 1, Inverness Caley Thistle from the Championship; and Premiership Hearts along with Cove Rangers from the Highland League.

Raith are still full-time as they bid to get out of League 1 this coming term so they will be stern opponents but Saturday’s ‘away’ game will be at New Bayview due to Stark’s Park getting a astro-turf surface laid.

Although it will be on a neutral ground Cowdenbeath will still have to work hard to get a result.

The three friendly games saw the Blues beat Lowland League Civil Service Strollers 1-0 in Edinburgh, lose 1-0 to Premiership Dundee at Central Park; and then go down 2-1 to another Lowland League side, Kelty Hearts, ‘up the road’ on Saturday.

Not a lot of goals in these games and manager Gary Bollan could be happy with the way his side defended in the matches, albeit they should have scored more times than just Jordyn Sheerin's and David Cox's strikes.

The manager is very aware of the struggle his team faces in the Betfred games: “This competition is notoriously difficult for teams from Leagues 1 and 2 with the Championship and Premiership sides favourites to compete for the top two places but on the other hand it gives you the opportunity to pit your wits against good sides.

“We have been involved in three very competitive friendly games and these Betfred ties will ensure that by the time the League 2 programme comes around we will be ready to meet the tough challenges that the division will throw up.”

Looking ahead to Saturday, he added: “Raith have been putting together a squad which will be geared to trying to get out of League 1 this season and it will be very much a tough task to get a result.

“However, it is up to us to defend well and ask them questions going forward and we could maybe sneak a result.”

On the following Tuesday (July 17) Cowden entertain Caley Thistle with a 7.45pm start.

Mr Bollan has had a look at all his players thoroughly in the friendlies and is likely to start with Ryan Goodfellow in goal with Fraser Mullen and Jason Talbot at full-back and Bryan Gilfillan and Jamie Pyper as centrebacks.

The midfield will almost certainly feature Blair Malcolm, Kyle Miller and Martin Scott with Jordyn Sheerin and David Cox carrying the goal threat, with Robbie Buchanan playing between these two and the midfield.