Kelty Hearts have discovered their opponents for the first phase of the revamped Challenge Cup competition.
Tam O'Ware's side are one of 30 clubs, from SPFL League One and League Two, joined by 10 'B' teams from the Premiership, who will play all their fixtures away from home, in the initial stage of the tournament.
Rebranded as the KDM Evolution Trophy, it now includes a league stage, which will see a total of 90 matches played across six match days.
READ MORE: Kelty open cup campaign with convincing Brora victory
The participating teams were divided into three pots by division, and regionalised into 'north' and 'south' sections, and each were drawn from their respective pots, which informed the order in which their league phase fixtures were launched.
The 'Maroon Machine' were in 'south pot A', alongside Alloa Athletic, East Fife, Hamilton Academical, Queen of the South and Stenhousemuir, and will play all-but-one of their fixtures at New Central Park.
They will open their campaign at home to Annan Athletic, who were relegated from League One last season, before Celtic 'B' and Stranraer also visit respectively.
An away day at Dumbarton, who also dropped to League Two last term, follows, before Kelty finish with home fixtures against St Mirren 'B' and Heart of Midlothian 'B'.
Dumbarton will be amongst Kelty's opponents in the league phase. (Image: David Wardle.) Points gained by clubs will feed into a single league table and, after the final match day, the top 22 clubs will progress to the first knockout round, where they will be joined by the 10 SPFL Championship sides.
Changes to the tournament's format were confirmed earlier this year alongside a new Scottish Football Association cooperation system, which is designed to strengthen youth development in the domestic game.
The continued inclusion of Premiership 'B' teams is, according to the SPFL, "in support of the Scottish FA’s aim to provide more opportunities for players in the key ‘transition phase’ of ages 16-21, as they move from the academy environment to senior football".
The competition will also provide clubs with the opportunity to play trialists, as well as youth prospects aged 15 and upwards.
An estimated £1.25 million in prize money, including £150,000 for the winners, will also be shared between the clubs, an increase of more than 50 per cent on last year's competition.
Kelty, who entertain East Fife tomorrow in the Premier Sports Cup, reached the quarter-finals in 2023, and were knocked out last season by Dunfermline in the fourth round.
Share