Boss delighted to welcome a familiar foe to Bayview

The SPFL announced the new league fixtures this week, with the draw being relatively kind to the Methil club and its fans.

The festive period fixtures have seen the Fifers manage to avoid long away trips with Peterhead instead having to visit Bayview on December 17.

But the reality of the draw itself demonstrates just how tough this campaign is set to be according to boss Gary Naysmith.

The gaffer has already started preparing for the new opposition, but admits he’s happy to be facing a familiar foe in the first league game on August 6.

The Fifers open their campaign against Albion Rovers, a club promoted to League One the season before last.

“I’m happy with the fact we’re at home the first game against a team we’ve played in the past couple of seasons,” said the gaffer.

“They’re a team who are familiar to us.

“We’ll have the chance to watch them as well before we play because they have a friendly with Falkirk on July 9 and we don’t play our game with Aberdeen until the day later.

“Our scout will also be out watching them.

“Then we have a difficult run of games against Peterhead, a team who finished third last season, and Alloa, the team relegated from the division above.

“Peterhead and Alloa are going to be two of the strongest teams in the league.”

The boss is still on the lookout for some new additions to his squad.

“The players we’ve brought in are all around the same age at 23-years-old,” said the boss.

“They’re all a bit bigger built that some of the players we had last season and are a good height.

“I think we’re going to be a bit more physical next season.”