Stirling Albion kick off their 2022/23 cinch League Two campaign with a trip to Dumbarton.
It’s just three weeks since the Binos beat the Sons 2-1 in the Premier Sports Cup thanks to goals from Robert Thomson and Kieran Moore.
Darren Young’s side went on to finish runners-up to Aberdeen in Group A, narrowly missing out on a place in the last 16 following their 3-0 victory over Peterhead at Forthbank last weekend.
Dale Carrick hit a hat-trick as Albion cruised to victory – it was the second treble of the former Airdrie forward’s career, the first against FC Edinburgh on the final day of last season.
Midfielder Ross Davidson remains on the sidelines but Jack Leitch – who was forced off against the Blue Toon last weekend – and Robert Thomson are expected to be available for selection.
After Dumbarton, Stirling host Elgin City (August 6) and Stenhousemuir (August 13) then have back-to-back away matches against Annan Athletic and Bonnyrigg Rose.
In recent years the League Two title has been won by a distance by Cove Rangers, Queen’s Park and Kelty Hearts, but it looks like being a much tighter race this time round.
The majority of clubs will feel they can at least push for the promotion play-offs. Forfar were second last time out, Annan lost in the play-offs and topped their Premier Sports Cup section ahead of Queen of the South and St Johnstone.
Stenhousemuir will expect to finish in the top four and plenty of observers fancy newcomers Bonnyrigg to make an impact in their debut SPFL season.
Albion could only finish in seventh place last season and are preparing for an eighth successive campaign in the bottom division following relegation from League One in 2014/15.
They were second in the table when the clocks went back last season but their form fell away badly and Young was unable to turn things around following the departure of ex-manager Kevin Rutkiewicz in December.
Young and his team will hope to continue the momentum built up in the Premier Sports Cup when they open up against Stevie Farrell’s side in the shadow of Dumbarton Rock.
The Binos boss has brought in eight new players this summer, most recently on-loan Livingston midfielder Harrison Clark, who shone on his debut against Peterhead.
Further additions to the squad are possible and Young also handed top-team debuts to U20 players Kieran Curtis and Greg Harrower in the Premier Sports Cup.
