THE Blue Brazil will stay warm over the three-week break from competitive action with a local friendly this week.

Cowden have arranged a match with Crossgates Primrose at Central Park on Thursday night.

The East of Scotland Premier Division side will make the short journey to the Cowdenbeath for the 7.30pm kick-off.

There will be no admission cost to see the game, but a donation on entry would be welcomed.

Maurice Ross sees this as an important game for his side, as he looks to keep his players fresh: “Crossgates are a very useful side, in the East of Scotland Premier League, and will provide just the sort of opposition we need before we go to Gretna (December 3).

“The gaps in fixtures that have been appearing over the past couple of months, have been very awkward, not giving the players continuity of competitive action, so a match like the Crossgates fixture will help keep the lads ticking over for what will be a very important game for us."

Missing chances has proved a continuing problem for Cowden, and the 2-1 defeat at CS Strollers, in their last Lowland League game, was seen by the manager as a typical example.

“The last seven games have seen us have the bulk of play but miss chances that have cost us wins,” he said.

“The Civil Service Strollers game was typical of that.

"We should have been three up at half-time, but a couple of bad misses saw us only one goal ahead at the break, and when we lost midfielders Stuart Love and Dean Ritchie in the second-half to injury, Strollers had more of the game and we ended up paying for our earlier misses.

“We have to be sharper in front of goal and hopefully the friendly against Primrose will help us in achieving that.”

Cowden had been short of goals from their midfielders so far this season, with only Sam Newman and David Struthers hitting the net from that area of the team.

So the manager will be hoping that, in the friendly, his link players will show increasing sharpness.

Cowden have also bolstered their ranks with the loan signing of Michael Cunningham from East Fife.

The 21-year-old striker has signed for the remainder of the season.

Cowden’s Football Operations Coordinator Colin Nelson is delighted about the move: "He has been a target for the club since August and I'd like to thank Greig McDonald and East Fife for making this loan move happen.

"Michael really fits the profile of what we want at the club. Young and ambitious as well as being a Fife lad. Look forward to seeing him in action." 

Assistant Manager Colin Jack added: "Having worked with Michael before I know the qualities that he will bring to the team and we are indeed delighted that he has decided to join the club."

Michael reported for training last night (Tuesday) and said: "I’m really looking forward to get going, it's been circling for a while now but finally good to get everything sorted.

"I’ve worked with Colin Jack before at Edinburgh City and have been speaking to him. He spoke highly of the gaffer and the group and told me exactly what the club wants to do." 

Meanwhile, Cowden have re-arranged fixtures during the festive season.

Saturday, December 10: Cowdenbeath v Celtic B at Central Park - match will now kick-off at 1pm rather than 3pm, as originally scheduled.

Tuesday, December 20: Bo'ness United v Cowdenbeath at Newton Park (7.45pm) - game rescheduled from Monday, December 26.

Saturday, January 21: Cowdenbeath v Hearts B at Central Park (3pm), game rescheduled from original date of Tuesday, January 2.

Saturday, February 4: Edinburgh University v Cowdenbeath, at Pefferfmill (3pm), game rescheduled from original date of Tuesday, February 7.