COWDENBEATH bring the curtain down on their Betfred Cup programme this Saturday when they take on Stenhousemuir at Ochilview.

It has been a hectic run of games but the Blue Brazil know that if they beat Stenny they will finish third in Section A behind Premiership Hearts and Championship side Dundee United.

The games with these sides saw Cowden battle hard but lose both after their win over East Fife.

And a win at Ochilview will see the team finish in a good place ready for the start of the Ladbrokes League 2 programme the following weekend.

Taking on teams of the quality of Hearts and United within a space of three days was always going to be a big ask and ultimately it proved too much for the Blues.

The Hearts game saw the BBC Sports radio team at Central Park with pundit Chick Young catching up with Cowden boss Gary Bollan before the kick-off and also chairman Donald Findlay on the track, and it brought back memories of the club's days in the Championship but four years ago.

Mr Bollan was pleased with the way his team tackled the two full-time units and now wants to finish with a win at Stenny.

He commented this week: "It was always going to be a big ask taking on these two big clubs within a space of three days but we equipped ourselves well.

"Losing two early goals to the Jambos was a blow but the lads just knuckled down and defended well along with creating a few decent chances.

"Losing Craig Barr for the United game was a blow but the lads again defended well as a unit and we made them have to work to create chances.

"As the game went on having these tough games within three days started to tell but we kept fighting all the way through.

"Taking on that sort of opposition is good in getting the players' match sharpness up to high levels but now we want to finish the Betfred campaign with a win.

"Stenhousemuir are a handy side but it is a match which can earn us third place in the section which would be pleasing."

The manager has also brought in two more young players to his squad.

With the Betfred Cup games coming thick and fast, Gary Bollan added another young player from the Fife Elite Football Academy to his squad. 16 year old Jacob Glass will now be part of the Cowden squad for the 2019/20 campaign. Jacob also played in the Fife Cup side last season.

He has also the signature of 18 year-old goalkeeper Mac Whyte who last season played for Kirriemuir Thistle.

He also played in the pre-season friendly at Airdrie. Mac previously was in the youth ranks of Dundee FC and he went straight into the pool for Friday's match at Tannadice.

Cowden have two players recovering from knocks for the Stenny game. Centre-back Craig Barr picked up a knock against Hearts and utility man Mike Herd was injured in the first period at Tannadice.

Both will be doubts for the trip to Ochilview.