'Gow boss bolsters side with new signings

Jul 7 2011 by David Bell, Hamilton Advertiser

LESMAHAGOW boss Robert Irving has added six new players as he strives for promotion in the Central League Second Division.

Following what was, by his own admission, a disappointing season, Irving said: “I don’t want to go through what I did last term. The busy close-season seems to be paying off.

“We took a break from our usual training routine on Saturday by going across to Ayr and the lads enjoyed some training on the beach.”

Topping Irving’s list of recruits is former Hamilton and Aberdeen striker Liam Fagan, while defender John McFarlane and striker James White have been snapped up from Blantyre Vics, who are now bossed by Irving’s former centre-half Alan Shields.

Irving has also signed midfielders Steve Clark and Steve Meek from Balmore Amateurs, and Lewis Brown from Newarthill-based Yett Farm Amateurs, to team up with earlier recruits James McGill and Craig Cooper from Royal Albert.

Two experienced campaigners from last season’s squad – left-back/midfielder Darren Jaffrey and former Accies midfielder Nicky Sullivan – have also re-signed, boosting squad numbers.

’Gow have arranged pre-season friendlies at Muirkirk on Saturday, July 16, and Kilwinning Rangers seven days later.

Round up

CARLUKE Rovers manager Colin Slater is enjoying his first few weeks in charge after making the step-up from assistant to manager, as he puts the squad through their paces.

After training on Monday Slater said: “That’s five training sessions under our belts and I’m quite pleased with the way things are going.

“Andy Barr and Greg McFarlane are now back from holiday and that will help step up the pace as we gear ourselves for the kick-off.

“We’ve had 20-23 at training, which is encouraging, and I’m still running the eye over some of the trialists we’ve had in.

“Four of last season’s squad have left the club – Adam Moffat, Greg Pollok, Ross Nisbet and defender Mark Weir – and with holidays intervening I’ve not had a chance to talk it over with some of the other players.”

Rovers have lined up friendlies at home to Nithsdale Wanderers on July 16 and Kello Rovers on July 23, with a Clydesdale Challenge Cup semi-final sandwiched in between on Monday, July 18.

LARKHALL Thistle have signed left-sided midfielder David Dunn from East Stirlingshire, with manager Duncan Sinclair claiming this signing coup as “a real feather in our cap”.

He added: “We have had 28 players in regularly for training since we started our pre-season programme way back in early June, and I’m looking at trimming this to a squad of 23 or 24 for the kick-off.

“Challenging for one of the top two spots has got to be our target this season.

“The team spirit in the dressing room remains high after winning promotion, and we’ll certainly be fit going into the league programme.”

Sinclair has lined up three pre-season friendlies away to Rossvale on Monday, July 18 and Blackburn on Saturday, July 23, and they will entertain West Calder on Monday, July 25.

STONEHOUSE Violet manager Dougie MacDuff, with nine of last season’s comeback side signed up, is reasonably pleased with the way his squad is shaping up after three ~sessions of their pre-season work-out.

This week MacDuff signed centre-forward Chris Ramsay from Clydebank Thistle and midfielder Andy Johnstone from Drumchapel, while putting two trialists through their paces.

He said: “I’m quite pleased with the build-up in midfield and up front, but now I’m looking for a central defender to help consolidate things at the back before we kick off our first competition next weekend.”

That competition is the inaugural Avondale Tournament at Tilework Park, which will see Violet face a Partick Thistle XI on Saturday, July 16, with a 12pm kick-off, while Clydebank play Clyde in the second semi-final at 3pm.

The play-off for third and fourth place is on Sunday, July 17, at 12pm, with the final kicking off at 3pm.

Violet will then play Dumbarton at the Braehead Sports Arena astroturf on Thursday, July 21.