COWDENBEATH have a tough start to the Ladbrokes League 2 programme this Saturday when they take on Elgin City in the Highlands.

After starting the Betfred Cup well by beating East Fife, the Blue Brazil lost their way in the other three games, albeit two of them against full-time Hearts and Dundee United, by losing all three of the matches.

Elgin finished their section with a win and a draw in their group and gave Hibs a hard game on Friday night in a match that was televised on BBC Scotland, and finished on five points.

So Saturday’s trip to Boroughbriggs is going to be a tough one as the Fifers bid to get a winning start.

Manager Gary Bollan was more than a little disappointed with the result against Stenny in the closing Betfred game but he saw a lot of positives in the match.

He said: “We wanted to win it to finish third in the group and we started the game pretty well and had a few decent chances.

“We were dealing pretty well with the Stenhousemuir attacks but we got caught out just before the interval.

“After the break we created more reasonable chances and seemed capable of taking it to penalties at least when Jamie was unlucky to to put the ball in his own net.

“Now we have to fully focus on getting our league campaign off to a good start.

“Elgin are a pretty tough side on their own pitch and we will have to work really hard to come back from up their with all three points.

“However, we can do that if we show the workrate that we have had in all our Betfred games.”

The manager has stressed that he wants his team to look to make Central Park like a fortress this season and to rack up as many home wins as possible, but he is also aware that away points are crucial to making a real impact on the table.

“Clearly if you want to be competing for the top four positions in the table collecting points regularly on the road is crucial,” he added.

“It will be a really competitive division this season and points will have to be hard earned starting at Elgin this Saturday.

“We have the firepower in the squad to score goals and we want to start this on Saturday by going to Elgin and coming back with a positive result.”

The defensive work will be important to the club's hopes of doing well this season and Jamie Pyper (pictured) and Craig Barr will be key elements.

Kris Renton was missing on Saturday with a knock but he will be available for the trip north and look for Fraser Mullen to return to the team this weekend also.

Harvey Swann is back in full training and he will strengthen the left side of the squad.