Kelty Hearts will go into their Premier Sports Cup campaign believing that they can mix it with opposition from higher divisions.
The Maroon Machine kick off their competitive fixtures for the new season in the competition on Saturday, travelling to Queen of the South in Group A.
They were rivals in League One last term but, following the New Central Park outfit's relegation, they are a division below the Doonhamers.
That will be followed by the visit of second tier Queen's Park three days later, a home match with Highland League, Brora Rangers, on Tuesday July 21, before a first-ever meeting with top flight Aberdeen, at Pittodrie, on Saturday July 25.
Kelty concluded their pre-season friendly fixtures with a match against Championship neighbours Dunfermline on Saturday, who won 3-0, thanks to a first half goal from Charlie Gilmour, and a Keith Bray brace after the interval.
First team coach, Scott Penman, acknowledged it had been a good test, particularly with the Premier Sports Cup on the horizon.
"We've taken these games on so we can see where we are," he said.
"There's no point in going and beating teams 5-0. You want to get the bigger opposition.
"There's no reason why we can't go and have a go at it (the cup), especially with the group that we've got.
"We've got Queen's Park, Brora, Queen of the South on Saturday, and then, your last one, you're away to Aberdeen.
"There are games there that you can go and punish teams."
Having lost a number of players in the summer, Kelty boss Tam O'Ware has drafted in six new recruits in their bid to challenge for an immediate return to the third tier.
Of those, only Connor McManus didn't feature against the Pars, whilst four trialists - including ex-Kelty and Dunfermline star, Kallum Higginbotham - were involved.
"A lot of new boys have come in, so, we're just trying to adapt them, get them in, try and get a settled squad," Penman added.
"They've actually been really good in training. The boys have been working really hard.
"The games we've taken on, Gala (Fairydean Rovers) and East Kilbride were tests again, but fitness wise, they've been really good.
"They've been putting the work in.
"I thought we alright in spells (against the Pars).
"We knew Dunfermline were going to come here and have a lot of the ball, but the main thing that we spoke about is you've got to be clinical in front of goal.
"When you get these chances, you've got to take them, especially against a Championship side.
"We knew they were going to have a lot of the ball, they knock it about well, but you've got to be clinical in front of goal."
Share