Preston and Heriot-Watt reconvene in curtain-raiser

Both clubs were relegated at the end of last season and the East Seniors fixture computer has paired them in this opening match of the new campaign.

Preston boss Stevie Myatt, reflecting on his club’s five games in their League Cup qualifying section, said: “We finished above both Gala Fairydean and Eyemouth United, who were third and fourth in the First Division last season. We tried various things out in our section and I was able to take positives from our five games. We had a really good win over a Premier Division side, Edinburgh University, and had two very good performances against Whitehill Welfare and Edinburgh City.”

Myatt, entering his 12th season as manager of Preston, added: “We managed to beat Heriot-Watt both home and away in the Premier Division last season. They will therefore have plenty of incentive to try to turn us over. We will have to be at our best and we really want to get off to a good start in this league. Promotion is our aim this season and we don’t want to start off by chasing our tails. I am sure that [Heriot-Watt coach] Michael Renwick will have similar ideas and that we both consider ourselves to be Premier Division outfits.”

Elsewhere in the First Division, Duns play their first East of Scotland League match for 38 years having resigned at the end of season 1972-1973. They play host, at their new ground at Berwickshire High School, to local neighbours Eyemouth United (6.45pm). Peebles Rovers are also at home to promotion hopefuls, Easthouses Lily (6.45pm). Spartans begin the defence of their Premier Division title when they make the short journey to face Civil Service Strollers at Marine Drive (6.45pm) while Tynecastle entertain a Leith Athletic side who are making their debut in the top flight after they gained promotion last season (6.45pm).