The highly unusual occurence of a third round Challenge Cup tie has given us a home game against Stranraer on the first full weekend of October. This sees manager Stevie Aitken come up against his former assistant Stephen Farrell.

Stranraer have always been something of a bogey team for us – usually at their place but our home record against them is a bit iffy too.

Sons new manager has been appointed very quickly.

On the face of it, it’s a good move. Stephen Aitken has a good track record with Stranraer, helping them to promotion from the bottom division and consolidating their position in Tier 3 where they have finished third and second in the past two seasons. And in Stephen Farrell he has an assistant: something the club has been working without for a while.

Only time will tell whether it’s been too hasty but there was a need to set things moving with very few players signed up so far for next season. He ought to have good knowledge of the lower divisions and of players there who may be capable of the step up.