Dalbeattie Star ready to begin Lowland League campaign against Edinburgh University

Dalbeattie Star begin their Lowland League campaign on Saturday.

The Islecroft side start off against Edinburgh University, the league beginning a week earlier than both the South and West of Scotland Leagues.

Boss Jordan Williamson, who moved from South of Scotland League champs St Cuthbert Wanderers during the summer, said: “It might only be seven days but a lot can happen in seven days of football.

“We’ve been working hard in training, the boys are looking fit enough to start the season but that’s only off the back of such a short close season.

“We’re looking forward to getting going. There’s always that buzz at the start of the season with the new campaign. You look at the fixtures to try to second guess how things will go but we’re focused on Saturday.

“We’re looking forward to starting at home and are aiming for three points. We have players back who have missed some of the friendlies.”

Williamson isn’t the only person to have swapped St Mary’s Park for Islecroft over the summer.

Star summer signing Andrew Caffrey (Bobby Geddes)

Brother Russell has also made the move along with midfielder Tam Kelly and striker Scott Ballantyne, although he’ll have to wait to make his debut after suffering a broken leg in Saturday’s friendly against Rossvale.

Goalie Sam Henderson has also joined Star after leaving Gretna 2008.

Williamson said: “He is a good goalie and he works hard. It was no surprise he picked up all the accolades at Gretna last season. We were shocked Gretna didn’t retain him and we’re happy it’s given us the opportunity to sign him.

“Scott suffered a broken fibula in a tackle on Saturday and will be out for six or seven weeks. Hopefully we can get him back in early to mid-September. He is gutted as he was looking forward to stepping up from last season.

“Russell goes under the radar playing alongside Tam. He does all the simple things well but also tries to make things happen for the team. He’s a very unselfish player.

“Tam has got it all. He can take control of the game and create opportunities from nothing. He is going to be vital for us.”

Star’s pre-season preparations didn’t have the best of conclusions. They lost 2-0 to Creetown in the final game of the Jim Hyslop Memorial Trophy, then lost 4-1 to Rossvale.

But Williamson isn’t overly worried ahead of the big kick-off.

He said: “We were a bit more experimental and have been trying to play boys in other positions to see where we’ve got the strength in depth. We know that this week we have boys coming back, be it from work, injuries or holidays, as well as a couple of new signings.

“I’d rather play 180 minutes over two games like that knowing we can go into our first competitive game with a clearer picture of where we’re at, rather than going all out to win a friendly thinking everything’s all okay and perhaps Saturday comes along and we find ourselves unstuck.”