Clash of old and new faces as leagues get under way

Kelty Hearts embark on the next part of their journey as they host Dalbeattie Star in their Ferrari Packaging Lowland league opener at New Central Park.

The visitors finished 16th in last season’s league but will still prove to be a step up in class for Tam Courts’ Hearts side. However, the EOSL champions will still start as very firm favourites.

Hearts have added four players to their title-winning squad.

Brothers Chris and Matthew Gay have joined from Kennoway Star Hearts, Willis Hare has signed from Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale and this week Ciaran Chalmers, a defender, has made the journey north from Selkirk.

The East of Scotland League begins this weekend and starts with sectional games in the League Cup and for two of the area’s clubs it is a case of déjà vu as they meet well known opponents they faced last season before moving from the Junior league.

Crossgates Primrose probably could not have started their new life with a tougher game as Linlithgow Rose visit Humbug Park in Section C.

Linlithgow have strengthened the squad that finished runners up to Bonnyrigg Rose in the Juniors and will prove difficult opponents for Primrose. However, the Fifers have strengthened themselves and will be looking to make things as difficult as possible for their heavyweight opponents.

There is a Section F Fife derby at Ballast Bank as Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts take on Hill of Beath.

Both sides are new to the EOSL but the visitors should prove too strong for Inverkeithing. The Haws have built on youth under Kevin Fotheringham and he will continue that philosophy during their 2018-19 campaign.

His side have enjoyed a good preseason campaign and will be looking to hit the ground running in a group where they are alongside Bonnyrigg Rose.

It’s nothing new for Dundonald Bluebell as Jason Dair takes his side to Albyn Park to face Broxburn Athletic. Dair has added to the squad that finished fourth in the East Region Super League, a place above their hosts. However, Broxburn have also strengthened and have been absolutely flying in pre-season and will start this one as favourites.

Burntisland Shipyard face a trip to the far west extremities of the league as they travel to take on Dunipace at Westfield Park. Shippy will be looking to lay down a marker against their former Junior opponents in a group that any one of the four clubs could win.

Broxburn v Dundonald is probably the match of the day but Jeanfield Swifts’ opener against Bo’ness United is a close second.

Both sides moved leagues in the summer after difficult seasons in the Junior Super League. Both have made changes to their squads but Jeanfield will find it tough going at a Bo’ness side determined to make a splash in the new setup. Swifts boss Ross Gunnion is missing just Keith Dewar from his squad.

Also in Section I, Oakley United travel to Edinburgh to take on Leith Athletic at Peffermill. There have been many changes at United and manager Richard Fox will be hoping his side start with a win in a very tough group.

In section J, Andy Brown has made quite a few changes to the St Andrews United squad after a disappointing season in the East Region Premier League. Brown has added Stephen Forbes from Hill of Beath, Gary Graham from Kilsyth Rangers, Andrew McDonald from Crossgates Primrose, Steven Page from Lochgelly Albert and Nick Rendell from Pumpherston.

Saints face a tricky tie against Tynecastle at Barnetts Park but will be looking to start with a win in the only group to have just three teams.

East of Scotland Qualifying League Cup, Section A: Arniston Rangers v Blackburn United, Tranent v Hawick Royal Albert

Section B: Ormiston v Easthouses Lily, Tweedmouth Rangers v Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale

Section C: Crossgates Primrose v Linlithgow Rose, Penicuik Athletic v Sauchie

Section D: Coldstream v Haddington Athletic, Dalkeith Thistle v Heriott Watt

Section E: Camelon v Dunbar United, Edinburgh United v Eyemouth United

Section F: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Hill of Beath, Stirling University EOS v Bonnyrigg Rose Ath

Section G: Broxburn Ath v Dundonald Bluebell, Craigroyston v Newtongrange Star

Section H: Dunipace v Burntisland Shipyard, Preston Ath v Musselburgh Ath

Section I: Bo’ness United v Jeanfield Swifts, Leith Athletic v Oakley United

Section J: St Andrews United v Tynecastle