Amateurs sides get ready for big kick-off

The amateur football season is only a couple of weeks away and teams are currently going through pre-season training and friendly fixtures.

The Caledonian League kicks off the 2018-19 season on Saturday, August 11, with the Douglas Smith League Cup.

There are six local teams in the league and they will all be in action on opening day – Milton host Milngavie Wanderers, Cambusbarron Rovers welcome East Kilbride YM, Doune Castle are at home to Holytown Colts and Dunblane Soccer Academy are on home turf against St Mungo’s.

Stirling University and Callander Thistle – who are in the same section – meet at the University Playing Grounds.

Matches on Wednesday, August 15 are as follows: Stirling University v FC Dal Riata; Callander Thistle v Rhu; Milton v Westerlands; Balmore v Dunblane Soccer Academy and Cambusbarron Rovers v Stenhousemuir Community. On Saturday, August 18, it’s Rhu v Stirling University; FC Dal Riata v Callander Thistle; Dumbarton Acad FP v Milton; Dunblane Soccer Academy v Viewfield Rovers; Wishaw Wycombe Wanderers v Cambusbarron Rovers and Glasgow University v Doune Castle.

Opening day in the Foster’s Central Scottish League is a few days earlier, with three local sides in the same League Cup section.

On Wednesday, August 8, Bannockburn have Falkirk Community as visitors while Fallin and Tullibody Community face each other at Fallin.

The league starts on Saturday, August 11 with Bannockburn getting their Premier Division challenge underway with a game at Greenock HSFP.

Tullibody and Fallin are both at home in Division 1A and 1B respectively against Arthurlie AFC and Blantyre RGM.

Stirling University kick off their 2018-18 Lowland League season tomorrow (Saturday) with a tough trip to last season’s champion The Spartans at Ainslie Park.