Greenock's new boss Martin Campbell has dismissed suggestions his side's readiness for the new Junior season is a cause for concern.

The surprise resignation of Stevie Mooney thrusting Campbell into the dugout was followed by the departures of John Carter (Queen's Park), Andy Irvine (Clydebank) and Ross Kearns (Port Glasgow), however the former Nock No.2 insists the gaps have been filled.

Ahead of facing Petershill tomorrow, the ex-Benburb and Renfrew player said: "This time last season Stevie and I had just five signed players whereas this time around 17 guys are on board so the team is shaping up fine.

"John-Paul Dow has come in to assist me in the coaching side of things, while his brother Martin has arrived from Largs on top of Tam Docherty returning to the club. And we have managed to get competition for Mark Monk's goalkeeping gloves by bringing in ex-East Stirlingshire stopper Ryan McWilliams.

"We are also delighted with the capture of Craig Brown, who sat on the bench as an unused Glenafton substitute in their Scottish Cup Final defeat by Hurlford last season.

"He has looked very sharp in training and has all the makings of a quality addition to our squad."

Campbell admits the loss of top scorer Carter hard on the heels of losing Kenny Mackay to Annan the year before was a sore one for him to take just weeks after he assumed the Ravenscraig reins.

"John is a manager's dream but we could hardly stand in his way after the service he has given to Greenock, and he leaves here with everyone's best wishes. Replacing him was always going to be difficult, however we have high hopes for Darren McLachlan, a young striker picked up from Port Glasgow Under-21."

Campbell is determined for his squad to hit the ground running ahead of their Super First Division campaign.

He said: "Pollok's moves in the transfer market have been mighty impressive and they were already everyone's favourites for the title.

"Tony McInally and his men are undoubtedly the team we all have to beat and Greenock have the short straw in going up against them at home in our opening league match."

There's no lack of friendly contests taking place in the city with St Roch's hosting Dunipace, Shettleston entertaining Broxburn at Greenfield Park and Maryhill taking on Bearsden Amateurs.

And, on the Southside, St Anthony's are readying themselves for what could prove to be a testing 90 minutes against revamped Rob Roy.

Ants gaffer James McKenna is set to give debuts to Sean Cuddihy, Finlay Thomson, and goalkeeper Johnny Duncan while another "new boy" seeking to be blooded against one of his former clubs is striker Jamie Docherty, back at McKenna Park for the third time in his playing career.

IN the William Hill Scottish Cup preliminary round, Girvan, Culter and East Region league winners Bo'ness United landed lucky in receiving byes into the first-round proper.

Super Premier Division leading lights Auchinleck Talbot and Hurlford United will be at home to St Cuthbert Wanderers and Edinburgh University on August 16 and they will both fancy their changes of progressing.

Hurlford gaffer Darren Henderson said: "Nobody at this club can ever be accused of taking things for granted, so we will afford Edinburgh University every respect by doing our homework on them.

"It's pleasing to be in front of our own supporters on what will be a historical occasion for everyone connected with the club. However, from a playing perspective, this game comes bang in the middle of our Ardagh Glass Cup sectional games and is likely to cause a fixtures clutter which alarms me coming so early in the season."