New managers in place as junior football season kicks off

Aug 13 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

FOUR new managers are in place, two clubs have stepped up a division and one demoted, as Saturday sees the junior season kick-off.

John McVeigh has inherited a Lanark United side which has just stepped up to the Super Premier League, while his predecessor Tony McInally takes charge of Shotts Bon Accord, who have suffered back-to-back relegations.

United battled out a 0-0 Sectional League Cup section four draw against Royal Albert on Saturday, and open their top flight campaign at Largs Thistle this weekend.

Several incidents have left McVeigh with a selection headache that may see him delay his choice until the day of the game.

After Monday night’s training session the experienced campaigner said: “Preparation is as important as the game itself and our preparation has not been ideal. We haven’t been able to get the full squad together now for two weeks in a row. Tom Hanlon and Kevin Burns were involved in a car crash on the M74 coming to training last Monday – the car was a write-off and both players ended up in hospital with back and neck injuries.

“Striker Martin Harty played on with a fractured ankle a week past Saturday and is going for an MRI scan this week to check out any complications.

“I had seven players missing on Saturday, and five of them were at weddings.”

McVeigh added: “I’ve been making enquiries about a couple of strikers and I’m hoping to have better news by the weekend.

“The fact that this will be our first time in among the ‘big guns’ will hopefully give the side an automatic lift.”

Bellshill Athletic, who are still waiting on the green light to use the 3G artificial pitch at the town’s Sir Matt Busby Sports Centre, are at Vale of Clyde on Saturday.

Five county clubs, meanwhile, tussle it out in the Central League First Division.

Shotts go into their opener at Maryhill with doubts over full-backs Ian Wallace and Steve Herriott, but defender Gary McSeveney and striker Kevin Barr are set for a recall.

McInally said: “I think we have the squad well prepared; we want to go there and put on a good performance against a Maryhill side keen to impress their new manager.”

Thorniewood, who lost out on promotion on the last day of the season, open at home to Cumbernauld.

Co-boss John Fallon said: “Every one of our pool of 21 players played in the pre-season games and Sectional League Cup ties, so they will all be match fit for the kick-off.”

Blantyre Vics will mark their return to the First Division with a home game against Lesmahagow, but captain Brian Glancy is doubtful after picking up an injury during Saturday’s 1-1 Sectional League Cup section four clash against East Kilbride.

Definitely out are full-back David Campbell with torn ligaments and forward Kevin Reilly, with a chipped ankle bone. Meanwhile, morale is running high at Lesmahagow, where re-signing hit double figures even before the end of last season.

Assistant boss Robert Irving said: “The league opener is what we’ve been gearing up for during the summer.

“We’ve had Vics watched four times, so we have a fair idea of their strengths.”

Paul Anderson makes his dug-out debut for Larkhall Thistle at Vale of Leven.

He strengthened his squad by signing former Accies sweeper Stephen McInulty from Shotts for his second stint at Gasworks Park, and experienced keeper Kevin Budinaukas.

But Anderson could face problems over the fitness of Brian Eadie, Grant Wilson and Leon Kondol – and possibly strikers Joe Shields and Davie Menelaws.

Carluke Rovers, who were cruelly denied a step-up slot in the final 20 minutes of last season, are in confident mood.

Manager White Moffat declared: “I think we’ll be challenging for promotion next year.”

Forwards Mark Weir, Brian Caldwell and Stephen Ferguson, and midfielder John Savage, are all receiving treatment for foot injuries, but Moffat is optimistic that at least three will make it into the starting line-up against Greenock.

Forth Wanderers’ new manager John McGhee is hoping to repeat the weekend win over Newmains United, triumphing 3-1, when the clubs clash on league duty this Saturday – but is expecting a difficult ride on his return to Victoria Park, where he once bossed Coltness United.

He said: “I was quite impressed with them and I think they’ll cause a few surprises this season.”

Newmains manager Ian Rankin said: “It’s the league form we’ll be judged on, and we will go in with a positive attitude, although injury to James Brophy is a big blow.”

Royal Albert open their campaign at home to Benburb, while Wishaw await the visit of St Roch’s.