FANS will be back at Central Park on Saturday as Cowdenbeath kick off the new season with a Fife derby against Raith Rovers.

The Premier Sports League Cup clash is a mouthwatering fixture as supporters get ready to cheer on their favourites from inside the ground for the first time in 18 months.

It'll be no easy task for Gary Bollan's men as Rovers surpassed expectations last season, almost making it back to back promotions after promotion from League 1 in 2019-20 and reaching the

Premier League play-off semi final last term.

And the Kirkcaldy men will once again fancy their chances of being in the promotion mix for the Championship campaign when the league matches begin.

So it could be a tough assignment for the new look Blue Brazil although Bollan will take some encouragement from the friendly draw with Dundee United last week.

Under current Covid restrictions the capacity for Saturday’s game is 1,000 and the players and directors are delighted to be able to welcome supporters back after such a long time playing in the surreal atmosphere of empty stadiums.

Bollan can't wait to see supporters back at Central Park and as well as Rovers, Group D of the Premier Sports Cup will see them face along with Premiership opposition in Livingston, League 1 club Alloa Athletic and old rivals Brechin City, who were relegated after a play-off defeat from Kelty Hearts.

He said: “This is a good game to start the competition and it will be great to have fans back at games.

"Rovers did very well last season and have brought in a number of new players so they will provide tough opposition.

“We will have a few new players as well in our side and we will be going out to make life difficult for Raith Rovers and get a result in this tie.”

Certain starters will be new goalkeeper Cammy Gill and striker Liam Buchanan while utility man Craig Thomson will also be in the squad.

Meanwhile Raith will have their new acquisitions, centre-back Christophe Berra, the former Hearts defender; striker Dario Zanatta, formerly of Partick Thistle, and defender Tam Lang, from Clyde, in their squad.