League restarts with derby clashes

Four county clubs face derby clashes on Saturday as the West Region league kicks off for 2018.

Larkhall Thistle won’t have far to travel for their first Super First Division tussle of the new year, as they take on fourth-placed Cambuslang Rangers at Somervell Park.

Thistle, who are sitting third-bottom, will hope to produce one of their best attacking performances to clinch at least a point and ease them out of the relegation zone.

In the Central First Division all the county clubs except promotionchasing Wishaw are located in the bottom half of the table, so points are at a premium for all concerned.

Blantyre Vics are at home to Forth Wanderers, while Shotts take on Lesmahagow at Hannah Park.

’Gow gaffer Robert Irving hopes to add to his squad, especially up front and in midfield, during January and February, in a bid to pack away points to beat the drop.

Top scorer Steven Higgins has missed recent matches due to ankle ligament damage and faces another couple of weeks on the sidelines.

Skipper Darren Lygate, a consistent performer in midfield, also faces a lengthy absence after sustaining a horror skull fracture after slipping on ice a week or so ago.

In the Central Second Division, fourth-top Royal Albert take on Lanark United at Craighead Park, Lesmahagow, while fifthplaced Bellshill Athletic head for Glasgow to take on table toppers St Anthony’s.

Carluke Rovers, in third, head for Ashfield.

In a harsh winter, Lanark’s last league game was on November 18, but manager Paul Burns is looking for a big push in the second half of the season in a bid to take his side into the promotion zone.

All league games kickoff at 1.45pm.