Ashfield must put the closed-season exodus of some of their most experienced players behind them and focus on hitting the ground running when the Central League First Division kicks off in two weeks.

So says gaffer John Conlin in the wake of his side's 6-2 midweek panning away to Clydebank.

Stevie Gardiner and Graeme Ramage both got two for the Bankies with the others from Jordan Shelvey and Austin McCann. Midfielder Shaun Fraser netted twice for the outclassed Glasgow outfit.

The result was a further disappointment fopr Conlin and his men after a string of pre-season friendly defeats: 3-1 to Rob Roy, 6-1 to Ardrossan Winton Rovers and 5-1 to Largs Thistle.

Conlin picked tough pre-season opponents knowing they were coming up against the Bankies, but in the end he found trying to build continuity too hard.

He said: "Nobody likes losing games, least of all myself, but our focus has to be on the bigger picture and getting away to the best possible start against Vale of Clyde."

Conlin is determined to arrest a horrific Ashfield slump that has seen the Possil club suffer back-to-back relegations.

He admitted: " It's no coincidence that just about all the successful clubs enjoy a consistency of selection in terms of players at their disposal.

"I was denied that privilege at the start of last season when our dressing room was left resembling a ghost town after a host of players followed Stevie Rankin to Irvine Meadow while others were enticed by the prospect of rewards elsewhere.

"Unfortunately that same lure has knocked us for six again with our experienced backbone almost stripped bare as Bert Wright and Dougie Mackay grabbed the opportunity to become Super Premier players with Petershill and Shotts Bon Accord respectively.

"Joe Barclay went back to Kilsyth Rangers while Lee McShane and goalkeeper Zander Cowie moved to a couple of our First Division rivals - big Lee joining Blantyre Vics and Zander signing for Belllshill Athletic."

Conlin has moved to offset the losses with the captures of Stewart Brodie from ­Glasgow Perthshire, Andy Gilmartin from Dalry Thistle and Scott Somerville and Dillon Dasty from Rossvale.

BUT the real feather in his cap is the re-signing of tricky forward Willie "Wasso" Ferguson who was rumoured to be interesting both Petershill and Pollok during the close season.

Conlin added: "We remain what you would describe as 'work in progress' but no stone will be left unturned in our search for players to restore the club's fortunes."

Meanwhile, a number of clubs are thought to be ­interested in 30-year-old ­midfielder-cum-forward Stevie Miller after he left Glenafton.

Miller, previously with Pollok and Kilbirnie Ladeside, is in the sights of Benburb boss Frank Lovering who is hoping he can replace dislocated elbow victim Graeme Barbour when the Chooky Hens make the short hop to play Pollok at Newlandsfield tomorrow.

Home gaffer Tony ­McInally will be keeping fingers crossed for the return of defender Graham McLaren from holiday and the recovery of injured Willie Howie and Gary Wild as he looks to get his side's ailing Euroscot Eng Cup hopes back on track after their 2-1 midweek defeat by rivals Arthurlie .

Meanwhile, it's a measure of the esteem in which former Pollok striker Bryan Dingwall will always be held at the Southside club that Lok's first home league game against Irvine Vics on September 6 is to be Bryan Dingwall Appreciation Day.

The now-retired 38-year-old striker will be guest of honour and a big turnout of fans is likely to pay tribute to his 118 goals in five seasons from 2006 to 2011.

SATURDAY FIXTURES

Kick-offs 2pm unless stated

Euroscot Eng League Cup

Section 1: Lanark Utd v Lesmahagow, Royal Albert v Larkhall Thistle.

Section 2: Carluke Rovers v Shotts Bon Accord, Newmains Utd v Forth.

Section 3: Bellshill Athletic v Thorniewood Utd, Petershill v St Roch's.

Section 4: Cambuslang Rangers v Rutherglen Glencairn, Blantyre Vics v Vale of Clyde.

Section 5: Benburb v Pollok (Newlandsfield), Arthurlie v St Anthony's.

Section 6: Glasgow Perthshire v Maryhill, Clydebank v Yoker

Section 7: Johnstone Burgh v Vale of Leven, Greenock v Renfrew.

Section 8: Cumbernauld v Rob Roy, Kilsyth Rangers v Rossvale.

Ardagh Glass League Cup

Section 1: Dalry Thistle v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Beith, Largs Thistle v Kilwinning Rangers

Section 2: Darvel v Ardeer Thistle, Saltcoats Vics v Irvine Meadow.

Section 3: Maybole v Girvan, Whitletts Vics v Troon, Craigmark v Annbank.

Section 4: Cumnock v Lugar, Kello Rovers v Glenafton.

The Scottish Lowland Football League: Dalbeattie Star v BSC Glasgow, Threave Rovers v Spartans.