Juniors kick off with local derby

Gary Pews • Published 4 Aug 2010 12:00 0 Comments

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VENUE: Ravenscraig Stadium.

AFTER all the pre-season friendlies, the Juniors season officially gets under way tonight with the big Inverclyde derby.

The season-opening Sectional League Cup tie was due to be played at Battery Park, the expected home venue for both Port Glasgow and Greenock for much of this season while Ravenscraig is refurbished.

But in a surprise development, it appears Battery Park has not yet had suitable screening erected to comply with SJFA requirements.

So for the immediate future, both clubs will be back at Ravenscraig, where the planned work has yet to begin. Port Glasgow are the official home team tonight, and manager Craig Brown is looking forward to getting back into competitive action with the local derby.

He said: "You always want to get a result against your local rivals, but these matches are a chance for me to look at the full squad and give everyone a start at some point.

"We have had a good pre-season, which included games at Glenafton and Ardrossan, and I am happy with how the squad is shaping up."

As well as the five new signings previously announced, Brown has added defender Craig McEwan, who joins his brother Andrew in the Port ranks. And there could be further additions, with a few trialists lined up for the League Cup matches.

Meanwhile, Greenock have also been busy on the signing front during the close season, and have a squad of at least 20 from which to choose their starting 11.

Manager Stevie Mooney is pleased with his team's progress following two friendlies last week against Sporting Larkfield and Steins Thistle. He has also made another recent signing, capturing Jamie Bradley from the amateur ranks. Sean Stirling sits out tonight's derby, his absence being an enforced one due to a suspension carried over from last season.

Mooney said: "Local derbies are always good experiences, and of course we will play the Port at least three times this season with us now being in the same league division.

"They will be hard-fought games, and whoever wants it more will win. But we are all geared up for the new season, and with quite a large squad it will be a case of everyone fighting for their places in the team."

l Kick-off at Ravenscraig tonight is 6.45pm. Port Glasgow Juniors are sponsored by 5 Star Plasterers, and WJ. Greenock Juniors are sponsored by Regents Vehicle Sales, Greenock, Kingsley Wood Solicitors and Notaries, and the Lighthouse Bar.

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 04 Aug 10

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