Time for business!

AND just like that it is the inaugural day of a new season in the South of Scotland League.

Mid Annandale welcome Abbey Vale to New King Edward Park, while Lochmaben make the lengthy journey west to face Wigtown and Bladnoch.

Lochmaben manager Nathan Doyle wants to win silverware as he begins his second campaign in charge of the Burgh.

He said: “We started pre-season in May, and it’s been a very competitive and hard working couple months.

“We finished pre-season with a 6-1 win against Wishaw Wycombe Wanderers, who finished third in the Caledonian Premier Division last season, so we are full of confidence and looking forward to the season.”

Lochmaben have added a mix of experience and youth to the ranks for the upcoming campaign, Doyle added: “We’ve made 14 new signings and had six players from last season move on.

“The players we have added to the squad have immediately improved us. We have also brought in a new coach to work on fitness and endurance.”

Doyle was very clear when it came to targets, he said: “Our ambition is to win a cup and finish in the top six of the South of Scotland League.”

Over at New King Edward Park, Mids gaffer Craig Simpson has brought ten new players into the club, a mix of young talent and those with previous South experience.

He said: “The lads have worked really hard and I’m relatively pleased with the progress we have been making.

“Unfortunately, progress has been slightly overshadowed with the loss of two of our new signings due to injuries. We wish those lads well with their recovery and look forward to bringing them back in due time.

“This is a long term project and we are looking for steady progression

and to build a squad that will be around for seasons to come.”

The Mids have also announced a partnership with Sunday League side Ruthwell Rovers.

Mid Annandale Rovers will offer a pathway from youth football through to the South first team as well as giving Lockerbie its own Sunday team.

Simpson added: “We now have the addition of our Sunday team which we hope now gives us a pathway to getting more young lads experience in adult football and pushing for places in the Saturday first team.”

Ambitions for Mids in the new campaign are a top six finish in the league and a good cup run.

Simpson said: “Moving forward, we look to stabilise the squad, be consistent in the league and keep improving.

“There will be a lot of ups and downs this season, I’m sure of it, but that’s football.

“I hope to see the stand packed out with people supporting the lads. They really do deserve it and it’s very much appreciated by me and everyone at the club.”

Upper Annandale’s resignation from the division means 11 teams will battle it out for the title crown, while clubs also compete in several cup competitions.

Today's fixtures (all at 2 pm): Dalbeattie v Creetown; Lochar v Stranraer; Mids v Abbey Vale; St Cuthbert’s v Nithsdale; Wigtown v Lochmaben.