CENTRAL Fife’s Pyramid clubs get back into action on Saturday when the five East of Scotland League clubs start their season.

And after a long lay-off due to Covid, the re-start can't come soon enough.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Dundonald Bluebell and Crossgates Primrose will be contesting the EoSL Premier Division, while Lochore Welfare and Lochgelly Albert will be looking to finish in the top seven clubs in Conference B, which would give them a place in the EoSL Championship for 2021-22, and this week we evaluate where the clubs may finish the campaign.

PREPARATION is obviously key for Haws boss John Mitchell who had most of his squad signed up shortly after last season was halted in January!

And while long time goalkeeper Stuart Hall and defender Kevin Connors have retired, he has brought in experienced goalie Lee Wilson and attacking players Niall Kelly and Johnny Galloway.

With a sound defence and veteran striker Lewis Elder ready to pounce on any defensive errors from opponents, the Keirs Parkers will hope to do well this season.

Mitchell added: “We want to be up there challenging but with an 18 team division we know it won’t be easy.”

Times Prediction: Haws will be in the top five this season but whether they will have the consistency to finish top of the pile will be a question that needs answering.

DUNDONALD Bluebell will have several new players in their ranks in their bid to do well in the Premier division.

Manager Kevin Fotheringham wants his team to shine in the new facilities that have been created at Moorside Park.

He said: “We have seen a lot of investment by the club on the pitch and in the facilities so it is up to us to produce performances to match that.”

Defender Murray Carstairs is back at Moorside, while other acquisitions are goalkeeper Kyle Marley, defender Elliot Ford and attackers Ross Brown and Scott Gilfillan.

Times Prediction: Bluebell, like the Haws, will be strong contenders but like the Keirs Parkers consistency could be a problem.

CROSSGATES Primrose have brought in a number of new players to boost their chances of steering clear of any relegation problems in the Premier table.

Goalkeeper Sean Robertson has signed along with midfielder Greig Renton, Neil Lawrie from Rosyth and defender Colin Paterson.

A key man this season for Primrose will be striker Archie Campbell, his goals could be key to them winning games on a regular basis.

Times Prediction: Primrose will not find it easy, but they have the organisation and grit to steer clear of any relegation issues.

LOCHGELLY Albert, like Dundonald, have been spending a lot of money on their facilities at Robert Purvis Park, but also have their eyes on challenging at the top end of the table.

Joining up at the Berts have been Craig Anderson and Michael Cameron from Rosyth, while Ciaran Nicol has signed up along with Darren Somerville and Scott Houston.

The Berts have also been able to keep a number of their better players and secretary Ian Patrick said: “We want to make the second tier of the East of Scotland League, that is our immediate goal.”

Times Prediction: The Berts will be solid competitors, but a lack of goals has proved a problem for them in the past and they need to sort that out to achieve their aim.

LOCHORE Welfare had a major boost when they got the versatile Keiryan Hicks, who can play in defence or attack, back from Hill of Beath.

He was a key man when the Welfare won promotion to the East Juniors Super League and he could spearhead a strong Lochore challenge.

Hiks will be joined by new goalkeeper Dale Wotherspoon and strikers Robbie Crawford and Lee Celentano.

Said manager James Adam: “We have a strong squad and I feel we can be knocking on the door of the top seven of Conference B.”

Times Prediction: Lochore should have enough firepower to be up challenging at the top end of the table.