COWDENBEATH begin their open doors friendly programme this Saturday with a game against Evostik League side Blyth Spartans.

After a promising performance behind closed doors in Glasgow against Partick Thistle, last weekend, the Blue Brazil will be looking to step up their preparations against the side which will be playing with clubs like Workington, Skelmersdale and Whitby this coming campaign.

Cowden boss Jimmy Nicholl was pleased with his side’s showing against Thistle, which albeit, ending in a 2-1 loss, saw them finish the game very strongly.

Said Mr Nicholl, “We did not start the match well and were up against it in the first-half giving the ball away too easily.

“In the second period we started to get our passing game together and after Lews Milne pulled a goal back we were going forward strongly in the last quarter and had chances to square the game.” Cowden had a front man on trial from the London area against Thistle and he will be given another run against the North East side this Saturday. The manager added, “Sean Higgins was missing in this game so we had something of an untried strike force but we certainly posed the Jags a problem or two and the lad from London did well and we will have another look at him this Saturday.

“We need to get at least one more front man in, for while we have an agreement with SPL clubs for a couple of players, if they impress pre-season for their teams we could find one or other of them not being released.

“It is not an easy process but hopefully we can find at least one player to join us in the run-up to the season.” There were several players missing against Thistle and Kyle Miller showed his adaptability by playing right wing-back against Jags while Chris Kane started in midfield and than dropped back to centre-half.

Added Mr Nicholl, “I was very pleased with the fitness of the lads, they were always competing hard against a very useful side and I want to see an improvement in every game on the way up to our first competitive match against Brechin in the Petrofac Training Services Cup.” Mr Nicholl was expecting to sign goalkeeper Robbie Thomson this week as he continues his recruitment plans.