Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Monklands sides on road
Airdrieonians and Albion Rovers have been handed away games on the opening day of the new Ladbrokes League One season.
The Diamonds start with a trip to Hampden to face Queen’s Park while Rovers head to New Bayview for a clash with East Fife on Saturday, August 6.
Gary Naysmith’s Fifers are reigning League Two champions with the Spiders also promoted from the bottom tier following victory over Clyde in the play-off final.
League One’s two full-time teams collide on August 13 with Airdrie entertaining Livingston in their home opener – meaning an early return for ex- Diamonds quartet Alan Lithgow, Sean Crighton, Nicky Cadden and Liam Watt.
Rovers begin their home campaign with a visit from Brechin City.
The first Monklands derby of the season is on Saturday, September 24, at New Broomfield. Airdrie and Rovers face each other at Cliftonhill on Saturday, November 5.
Darren Young’s men travel to ML6 again on Monday, January 2, 2017 before welcoming the Diamonds for the fourth and final regular-season meeting on Saturday, March 11.
On Christmas Eve, Rovers host East Fife while Airdrie embark on the long trip down the A77 to face Stranraer.
The final day of the season is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, with Airdrie at home to Queen’s Park and Rovers hosting Livingston.
Visit www. spfl. co. uk/ leagueone/fixtures for details of the full fixture list for the 2016-17 League One season.