League games back on the agenda
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Welfare league football in Aberdeenshire is finally back on the agenda after an entire season was decimated by the global pandemic.
The North-east Scotland FA's Gordon Leask Memorial Cup, the traditional curtain-raiser which would have kicked off in March, has been moved to an early - or rather late - slot of the final weekend of October following a vote by member clubs.
Many clubs have had no meaningful football to participate in since last September as the league season, which takes place during the summer months, did not even get started before Covid-19 took hold of world sport.
However, the association is set to get a headstart competitively before even the Highland League, North Region Juniors and Aberdeenshire Amateur ranks can resume.
League chairman Graeme Arthur said: "After what has been a challenging year, it will be good to get a small bit of normality back.
"All teams have had to go through a lot of paperwork and even some courses to get us to this stage.
"Although we cannot have any spectators at this time, the benefits for the players, both physically and mentally, will be good to see.
"We are also pleased to see new clubs coming into the league for this season."
Taking part in NESFA competitions for the first time are Banff Rovers - joining from the Moray Welfare League - and newly-formed Boddam United.
Only Ardallie and New Deer have pulled out of the Gordon Leask Cup and will instead wait for the regular season to begin in March 2021 before resuming action.
Cup holders Invercairn United face a trip to Methlick in Group C (Sunday), while Haven entertain Banff Rovers a day prior in what looks to be the pick of the opening matches.
However the league are keen to stress that, as is frustratingly the case with all levels of football in Scotland at the moment, no spectators are permitted at any of the games taking place this weekend.
The fixtures for this weekend are as follows-
Saturday, October 31 - Mintlaw v St Combs; Cuminestown v Station; Haven v Banff Rovers and Elizabethan Link Up v Mormond Thistle.
Sunday, November 1 - Macduff v Peterhead United
Boddam United v New Pitsligo
Buchanhaven v Longside Thistle
Methlick v Invercairn United
