Vale of Leven line up competitive pre-season schedule

Vale may have brought a long season to a close less than a month ago with a disappointing loss away to Lesmahagow Juniors on May 4, but they have acted quickly to put that behind them in lining up four tough matches to get the players’ fitness back on track.

Brian Brown’s men will test themselves against West Region championship side Cumbernauld United on Saturday, July 13. Cumby just missed out on promotion to the West Premiership after being pipped to third spot by Rossvale in the final two weeks of the season.

Vale will then welcome last year’s Premiership champions Beith to Millburn Park on Wednesday, July 17.

West Region League One side Wishaw Juniors will also make the trip to the Millburn on Saturday, July 20 before Vale wrap things up with a match against the country’s top amateur side Thorn Athletic on Monday, July 22. Thorn were double winners as they eased to both the Caledonian League Premier Division title and the William Turner Challenge Cup.

Vale boss Brown said: “It was important we lined up some quality opposition to get us back up to speed.”

“Cumbernauld, Beith and Wishaw are all in the leagues above us which will provide a really good test.

"Thorn won their league this year and a cup so they’ll be raring to go too.

"We’ve played them a few times in the last few seasons so it should be another good game against them.

“It’s four games at the Millburn as well which is a bonus for us.

"It’s a good chance to give the young boys coming up and the new boys coming in a chance to get used to the park and how we play at the Millburn.

“The games have all been pencilled in quite quickly but it’s a quick summer.

"We start back training on June 15 so it’s not much of a break for the boys.”