BENBURB are a prime example of an aspirational Junior club where everything that could possibly go wrong has gone wrong ...

and then some.

Finishing third top of the Central First Division pile last season had raised expectations of a strong promotion challenge being mounted this time, particularly in light of the famous old Govan outfit finally moving from their dilapidated Tinto Park home and into a new custom-built

stadium complete with a state-of-the-art artificial playing surface.

However, initial projections reckoning they would be installed in their new ground around late October have proven to be optimistic in the extreme and the Chookey Hens were compelled to broker a longer-term arrangement with Neilston allowing them to play their "home" games at the Brig O'Lea Stadium, but fixture clashes have contributed to them also using Saracen Park in Possil and the Showpark in East Kilbride.

A downturn in results was the near-inevitable consequence of this somewhat nomadic existence, and Frank Lovering's men have plummeted into the relegation mire to currently sit fourth from bottom in the standings.

Neither has their cause been helped by a player crisis which has denied Lovering the use of many of last season's regular picks.

The long-serving boss's Bens dugout team now comprises ex-Rossvale gaffer Ian Gray and former Kilbirnie centre-back Anton Smith, following the departure of Lee Barr.

"This will probably go down as the most difficult season I have ever encountered at Junior level.

"I clearly remember things getting away to a bad start over the summer months when Gary McKenna, Steven McGurgan, Ross Barr and my own son Paul announced they were leaving the club because of work commitments.

"And we then lost Mark Davis through a serious knee injury on top of the Jackson brothers, Shane and Chris, electing to drop out of the Juniors to play with a Saturday-morning league side.

"Going down to the bare bones and having to replace six or seven players led to many mad scrambles before our games, including one Friday-night brainwave, in particular, when I persuaded the Italian waiter who was serving me at a restaurant to turn out for us the following day.

"Thankfully, the worst now looks to be behind us, and dressing room numbers have been swelled not least of all by the arrivals of a promising forward line partnership in the shape of Ryan Metcalfe (Cumnock) and juvenile prospect Ryan Living-

ston as well as Scott Jarvie (Ashfield) and Andy Collins (Rossvale).

"Ours will not be the success story of the season, however just staying in this division will be a marvellous feat taking everything into account.

"Frustratingly, we haven't played a competitive game in a month, so it would be great to make a fresh beginning to the New Year with a win over Larkhall Thistle at the Showpark today given they turned us over 5-0 at their place."

An enthusiastic Lovering also revealed things to be looking up on the stadium perspective, with the Bens managing to fit in a couple of training sessions on the new surface in recent weeks.

He insisted: "One or two technical problems have delayed matters, and the pitch is still not match-ready, but the end is in sight and I firmly believe players will be flocking to join this club once we start playing out of our new ground."

On the comings and goings front comes word of Benburb's neighbours, St Anthony's, fixing up Cumnock midfielder Kieron Maxwell, who previously played for the Ants on loan from Stranraer while, across the city, Vale of Clyde have clinched the signing of former striker Paul McLaughlin, who had been transfer-listed by Irvine Meadow.

Yet another frontman on the move is Kilbirnie Ladeside hitman Ian Diack, who has joined Sauchie.

The East Region outfit are also reported to be keen to land one-time Junior Scotland defender Ryan Jordan, who has been granted a free transfer by Arthurlie.

TODAY'S FIXTURES

Kick-offs 1.45pm

Stagecoach Super Premier Division: Auchinleck Talbot v Arthurlie, Irvine Meadow v Hurlford Utd, Glenafton v Troon, Shotts Bon Accord v Clydebank, Beith v Petershill, Cumnock v Kilbirnie Ladeside.

Stagecoach Super First Division: Greenock v Maybole, Rutherglen Glencairn v Thorniewood Utd, Neilston v Pollok, Kilsyth Rangers v Irvine Vics, Shettleston v Ardeer Thistle, Rob Roy v Largs Thistle, Yoker v Cumbernauld Utd.

Stagecoach Central First Division: Benburb v Larkhall Thistle, Bellshill Athletic v Dunipace, Carluke Rovers v Lesmahagow, Wishaw v Maryhill, Lanark Utd v Ashfield, St Anthony's v Vale of Clyde, Blantyre Vics v Renfrew.

Stagecoach Central Second Division: Forth v Cambuslang Rangers, Royal Albert v Newmains Utd, Johnstone Burgh v Glasgow Perthshire, Rossvale v St Roch's, Port Glasgow v East Kilbride Thistle.

Stagecoach Ayrshire District: Dalry Thistle v Whitletts Vics, Annbank Utd v Darvel, Saltcoats Vics v Kello Rovers, Craigmark v Kilwinning Rangers, Girvan v Muirkirk, Lugar Boswell v Winton Rovers.