Clydebank’s thoughts are turning to the opening day of the West of Scotland League season after Gordon Moffat’s men made it five pre-season wins out of six on Saturday.

Nicky Little and Ciaran Mulcahy found the net in a 2-0 win over Lowland League outfit Dalbeattie Star at Holm Park – Bankies’ final friendly before the serious stuff begins with a visit to Beechwood Park this weekend to take on Auchinleck Talbot.

The Bankies started well on Saturday, with Ross McPherson beating the goalkeeper to a ball over the top but seeing his attempted lob bounce just wide.

Dalbeattie came close midway through the half as they cracked the bar with a strike from the edge of the box and McPherson had another effort for the home side but his free-kick flashed past the post.

Moffat introduced four substitutes on the hour and it didn’t take one of them too long to get involved.

As Mulcahy looked to get in behind the visitors’ defence, he was denied by a great challenge that knocked the ball back to the arms of the goalkeeper.

The referee ruled the challenge a pack-pass, and from the indirect free kick, Craig Holmes teed up Little for a shot which struck the outstretched arm of a defender.

A penalty was immediately awarded and Little stepped up to open the scoring from the spot.

Just over ten minutes later the lead was doubled through Mulcahy, who was put clean through on goal and took the ball round the keeper before sliding it into the empty net.

Attention now turns to Premier League business for the Bankies against a Talbot side who opted not to take part in the inaugural – and, eventually, aborted – WoSFL campaign last season due to coronavirus concerns.

But Tommy Sloan’s troops did win the last two SJFA West Region titles before the establishment of the WoSFL – and Talbot too have been in good pre-season form, having begun with a draw away to Kello Rovers at the beginning of June and followed that up with wins on the road over Johnstone Burgh, Pollok and Neilston and a 5-2 victory at home to Penicuik Athletic on Saturday,

Clydebank players, officials and supporters will enter via the Bank End of the ground this Saturday, and will occupy the north side of the terracing, behind the goals at Beechwood Avenue, round to the ground’s main stand.

Kick-off is at 2pm and the gates are open from 1.15-2.15pm only.

Bankies supporters won’t have to wait long to back their team on home soil though – the team’s first home league match of the season is due to be played on Wednesday, July 21, when Cumbernauld United are the visitors to Holm Park.

Kick-off next Wednesday night is at 7.30pm.