Longniddry begin defence of League title at Cup-winners Gullane

LONGNIDDRY begin their defence of the East Lothian Winter League title tomorrow at home to Gullane, winners of the inaugural Winter Cup last season.

Gullane haven’t managed a win at Longniddry for over a decade, but Jeff Aitken’s men were league champions three years ago and have challenged for the title each year since. The champions have a strong squad again but will be without last season’s skipper Chris Wood, who is set to line up for newly-promoted North Berwick.

Wood’s first assignment for his new team is a clash against local rivals Tantallon. Musselburgh and Royal Musselburgh make up the six teams in the First Division but they don’t start until a fortnight’s time.

Royal Musselburgh will be hoping to take up where they left off last season, having gone through the campaign with a 100 per cent record to earn their place in the top flight. In the pick of the opening batch of Second Division ties, Haddington travel to Craigielaw for a first meeting between the sides since the 2009-10 season.

Elsewhere Whitekirk play host to Musselburgh Old, while Kilspindie make the journey up to Prestongrange, where they face Thorntree. Following last season’s exit from the top flight without recording a league win, Glen will be hoping for a fast start at home to Castle Park.