Fixture list throws up tough start for BofA
Bridge of Allan Sports Club’s squash teams have been handed a daunting set of opening day encounters with the release of the East of Scotland fixture list for the new season.
The firsts will start with a visit from former East Division One champions Grange at Minewood on the last Thursday of the month as they are faced with an immediate test of their resolve to improve on last term’s mid-table finish.
The squash season will be opened at Bridge of Allan by the thirds who will host Abercorn 1sts on Wednesday, September 27, determined to underline just how much their youthful squad has improved since last season’s torturous Division Five debut campaign.
For the club’s Division Three championship-winning second team, there is a tasty opening night local derby away to Linlithgow.
First team skipper Robin Bairner has no doubt that his men will face a daunting challenge in their league opener. He said:“It is almost certain that Grange will have the Scotland No.4 Kevin Moran, who was a part of the bronze medal winning European Championship team at the top of their order. That underlines the size of the test we face.
“We will be boosted by the first appearance by our new club champion Andy MacBean and I’m sure he’ll battle hard for the cause.”
New seconds skipper Martin Jack is also relishing the prospect of a derby at Linlithgow.
He said:“We usually face Linlithgow in a pre-season challenge match but with us being up against each other on the opening night there wasn’t much point in that.
“Clearly as the promoted side, albeit as the unbeaten Third Division champions, we know that this will be a step up but we have great belief in our strength in depth.
“Also with James Dougan another year older and having put in a hard summer of training with Roddy Campbell, we will travel quietly confident of a winning start.”
There is also a new skipper at the helm for the thirds with Stewart Penman taking the reins.
He said:“I am very confident of fielding a team that will comprise of the perfect blend of youth and experience and the great thing for us is that our young players like Ross Waddell, Kyle Penman and Duncan Hegarty are all a season older and wiser.
“With the Fifth Division expanded to 12 teams this term it’s going to be a gruelling season but we are very much up for it.”