AFTER running Championship side Raith Rovers so close at home last weekend, Cowdenbeath will be anxious to collect all three Premier Sports Cup points when Brechin City visit Central Park on Saturday.

City have been rebuilding after losing the Pyramid play-off to Kelty Hearts and being relegated from League Two in May, and will be looking to take the Highland League by storm in their bid to get back up.

Under new manager Andy Kirk they'll be desperate to return to the SPFL as soon as possible and they will look to lay down a marker at old rivals Cowdenbeath.

But the Blue Brazil, having carved out several outstanding opportunities against Raith last weekend, will trust they can continue to create and then take their chances to keep their Group D hopes alive.

Cowden boss Gary Bollan was delighted with the way his team tackled Rovers and said: “We were right in the match throughout the 90 minutes against a team that finished third in the Championship last season.

“In the first period they had the better of possession and grabbed the lead, but after the break we created several very good chances and their goalkeeper made a couple of outstanding stops.

“There was a lot to be pleased about but we have to look in our coming games in the competition to pick up as many points as possible.”

The Blues were without the suspended Fraser Mullen for the Raith game and injured midfielder Gavin Morrison, but both will be available for the Brechin game.

“We will face a much changed team from the City side we played in April but we have to look to up our goal scoring record as we build up for the start of the league programme,” added the manager.

“Sharpness will build as our pitch time increases but we have to look to tuck away more of the chances that we create.”

The manager is aware that his squad is still a few players light as the League 2 programme approaches and added: “We need another three players I think and we will be looking to get these people aboard over the next couple of weeks.”

Bollan made two new signings last week with Bobby Barr and James Collins both featuring in the cup tie against Rovers. 

Midfield schemer Barr, 33, a former Raith and Brechin player is a proven operator and should be a key player for Cowden. 

He first established himself with Albion Rovers and was PFA Division 3 Player of the Year whilst at Cliftonhill. 

Barr helped Livingston secure consecutive titles in the third and second divisions and has also been prominent with a number of clubs including East Fife, Morton, Raith Rovers and Dumbarton. 

Another new signing came off the bench against the Kirkcaldy side despite the deal being confirmed just the day before. 

Collins, 21, joined from Kennoway Star Hearts where he won the player of the year awards for 2020. 

He previously featured with Raith's under-20s, where he twice won the SPFL Development League East title, the Fife Elite Football Academy and in the Dundee United youth system.

Bollan said: “James is an attacking midfielder who can play anywhere along the frontline as well, so he will be a very useful addition to our resources.”

And, as reported yesterday, Cowden have signed 17-year-old striker Luke Mahady on loan from Raith until January.