St Cuthbert Wanderers’ new-look squad is all but complete.
Manager Josh Gardner has assembled a pool of 22 players – just four of whom were part of last season’s South of Scotland League title-winning squad.
Luke McMurtrie is one of the four staying put while the latest recruits include striker David Stubbs, goalie Kieran Marshall from Lochmaben, defender Kris Gray from Cambria AFC and Kane Paton on loan from Queen of the South.
Gardner said: “There might be the odd one coming in but my focus now isn’t so much on recruitment, it’s on gelling them together.
“They’re doing well. We’ve not picked up a win yet but pre-season isn’t really about that.
“The boys have been brilliant. Slowly but surely you see them getting a bit louder in the changing room as they start getting used to each other. In turn, especially on Saturday, you see the cohesion on the pitch a bit more and they understand each other.
“It’s a work in progress but it’s definitely improving week on week which is all I can really ask for just now.
“They’re a good group to coach. They’re all good guys and dedicated and committed to doing well. We’re quite pleased with what we’ve put together.”
Saints lost both games in the Jim Hyslop Memorial Trophy to Creetown and Dalbeattie Star while, on Saturday, they were beaten 3-1 at home by Drumchapel United.
Gardner added: “The first couple of games we were light on numbers due to holidays and Covid cases. We had a bit of a hard night against Dalbeattie.
“We started the game really well, scored an early goal, but we had a few guys just back from holiday and brought in two under-17 players on the bench.
“Drumchapel are a west of Scotland side and a top, top side. We put in a good performance against them and it’s the first time we’ve been able to fill the bench.
“We’re starting to get most of our guys back from holidays and stuff like that.”
Saturday sees Saints take on Gardner’s old club AS Airdrie at Ravenscraig in their final
friendly.
