THE groundwork is being carried out - in every sense of the word - for Benburb to enjoy a successful Central First Division campaign.

A new era dawns for the famous old Govan outfit, whose new ground, less than 200 yards from their Tinto Park abode of the past 82 years is on track to be completed towards the end of September.

Long-serving team boss Frank Lovering is understandably excited about the prospect of the Chookey Hens playing on a Fifa two-star astrograss pitch whose backdrop could include a 400-seater stand if plans come to fruition.

He said: "The new stadium is looking better and better with every passing day and I cannot wait for the day when a Benburb team runs out onto the pitch for the first time.

"That's looking like September after a slight delay arose with the surface which poses a problem as we have two home league games scheduled for that month against Wishaw and Larkhall Thistle, but hopefully we can come to an arrangement to play both these games away from home.

"It all adds up to a tough start to our league campaign which follows on from going on the road to play our Sectional Cup matches inclusive of trips to Arthurlie and Pollok.

"Those games in particular will be character-forming and go a long way to allowing us to gauge whether our team rebuilding work is paying dividends."

Lovering believes he is edging ahead of First Division rivals Lanark United in the race to sign central defender Andy Ward from Cumbernauld United. His arrival would make four confirmed newcomers to date along with Graeme Barbour from Arthurlie, Robert Burns from Livingston United and unattached SFA coach Scott Alloway.

The Bens boss revealed: "The lad Burns is the son of Robert Burns, the former Pollok and Whitburn goalkeeper, who is currently part of the Junior Scotland set-up, though the younger version happens to be a striker with an eye for goal.

"His arrival helps compensate for the loss of our former front-man Steven Waddell, who we had hoped to sign after his contract expired with Pollok

"But it's a sign of the times that he has elected to play instead for a Saturday morning amateur side, who have also lured away our very influential defender Chris Jackson and are said to be keen to land his brother Shane, even though he has penned a new deal with us.

"Even if Shane stays put we need to beef the squad up with a few more bodies so our supporters can also expect a few more new faces."

ON the merry-go-round that is the Junior transfer scene, Super Premier newcomers Shotts Bon Accord have snapped up striker David Dimilta, considered surplus to requirements by Glenafton in the wake of Tommy Bryce fixing up one-time Partick Thistle ace Adam Strachan, who ended last season with Pollok.

Lok manager Tony McInally has similarly been active on the recruitment front.

Yesterday morning he was in talks with yet another former Pollok player, Carlo Monti, which looked odds-on to clinch a sensational return for the popular frontman.

Monti only departed the South Side club before the start of last season in order to sign for Dundee under previous Dens Park boss John Brown.

Monti had also been on the radar of Kilbirnie Ladeside and was allegedly training at Valefield, but the Ayrshire outfit had switched their signing interest elsewhere after the Lok fans favourite made it clear his heart was set on rejoining Pollok.

Macca had earlier confirmed the signing of strapping Queens Park defender Paul Gallagher as well as persuading his former Shotts midfielder Tam Hanlon to sign for a second stint at Newlandsfield. Hannah Park gaffer Tam McDonald said: "Tam was never going to stay at Shotts once Tony was on his trail so we had resigned ourselves to his leaving."

Meanwhile, SJFA Secretary Tom Johnstone has announced dates for this season's Scottish Junior Cup ties, with the first round on September 27.

They are as follows...

1st Round ............ 27th September 2014

2nd Round.............25th October 2014

3rd Round .............22ndNovember 2014

4th Round .............17th January 2015

5th Round..............14th February 2015

6th Round..............14th March 2015

Semi-Final............. 11/12th April and 18/19th April 2015

Final.....................7th June 2015