It’s back.  Pre-season is over and it’s time to get down to business as the McBookie.com East Premier League begins in earnest.

Sauchie Juniors, relegated last year from the Super League, are the first visitors to Creamery Park to take on the new-look Jags.  Major changes to the playing squad this Summer has seen a number of players depart the Creamery Park ranks, including last years skipper Graham Baird.  The new club captain and leader on the pitch is Stuart ‘Stoogs’ Mcleod.  Unfortunately, Stoogs picked up an ankle injury in our match against Broxburn Athletic last weekend and will miss the first few games of the campaign.  His influence and all round play will be a massive loss for us but he will of course be encouraging the lads from the sidelines and hoping that by the time he takes his place in the side we will already be off to a flyer.  New signings Darren Dalrymple, David Taylor, Jamie Clark, George Bonnar, Iain Griffin and Reece Boyle add ability and strength all over the park and have looked good in our pre-season fixtures.

Sauchie arrive at The Creamery off the back of a disappointing season last year which ultimately saw them relegated following a play-off defeat to Lochee Utd.  Despite this they have been placed as second favourites in the betting for the league title.  They have experienced frontman Ian Diack up front and have added James McAteer from Bo’ness United also.  They have had mixed results in pre-season with wins against Forth Juniors and Cumbernauld Colts.

It will be a tough start to the new season for Bathgate that’s for sure but there are some cracking players wearing the blue jerseys this year and anything is possible with the support of our fans.  We would love to have as many as possible cheering on the team in our first match .  Together we are stronger!

Kick off is at 2pm.  Admission is £6/£3.

 

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