East of Scotland league season returns with Fife sides in action

The two local Premier League sides, Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Dundonald Bluebell, are both at home, but face tough opposition.

The Haws entertain Sauchie Athletic, the Clackmannanshire side which finished in the top six of last season’s competition.

Sauchie are always difficult opponents for the Haws, as manager Allan Moody admits, but he is looking for his new-look squad to give Sauchie a hard game and maybe sneak all three points.

Meanwhile new Dundonald Bluebell boss, Jason Dair, wants his charges to give Penicuik Athletic a tough time at Moorside.

He has been busily trying to strengthen his squad in time for the Athletic test and is hopeful that his team can make a promising start to the campaign.

Crossgates Primrose were relegated from the Premier League last season, after a tough end to the campaign, but they will be looking to be strong contenders to come back up from the First Division at the first attempt.

Manager Alan Campbell has fixed up new signings Rab Kinnaird, Reece Bernard and Cammy Bell, while former Primrose players, James McAteer and Scott Hynd, are back at Humbug Park for this season.

Crossgates should be able to mount a strong promotion challenge, but it will be tough with teams like Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, Bo'ness Athletic and Camelon also keen to be in the promotion rush.

The other local side in the First Division is Lochore Welfare, and their manager, James Adam, has made a couple of good signings to tighten up his team’s defensive strengths including former Hill of Beath Hawthorn player, Michael Watt.

They open their campaign with an away game at Edinburgh South and will be aiming to start with a three-point haul.

If they can do that it will be just the opening that Adam is looking for as his team aim for a top half finish this term.

In the Third Division Lochgelly Albert can clearly build on last season’s great second half of the season performance which saw the Berts end up with more than 40 points, after a dreadful first ten games.

They have been able to re-sign 30 goal plus striker, Scott Russell, and with new attacking midfielders in the squad, they should have the firepower to finish as challengers at the top end of the table.

They can send out a real notice of intent if they can beat highly fancied Fauldhouse United, at Purvis Park, in their opening game.

Saturday’s fixtures (2.30pm kick-offs): East of Scotland Premier League: Dundonald Bluebell v Penicuik Athletic, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Sauchie Athletic. East of Scotland First Division: Edinburgh South v Lochore Welfare, Newtongrange Star v Crossgates Primrose. East of Scotland Third Division: Lochgelly Albert v Fauldhouse United.