GREENOCK Wanderers play their first friendly match of the 2024/25 season away to Kilmarnock this Saturday.

The home side play in West Division 1, which is one league below Wanderers' present place in National Division 4. Wanderers played Kilmarnock last year at this time and had to be at their best to hold on for a narrow win.

Kilmarnock, meanwhile, started their season last Friday, winning 52-19 at home to Birkmyre, who were recently promoted to West Division 2.

Wanderers have been training hard after only a short break, and most of the squad have been taking part in sevens tournaments. The squad at the moment consists of most of last season's line-up, while stalwarts Caz, Leigh Tyley and Andy McDougal will be available to come off the bench to add some experience.

Iain Forster has taken a back seat this year, as has Abernethy, while head coach Bobby Mitchell has been joined by Alex Birnie, who has joined from last years Division 4 League winners Garnock and who has a lot of coaching experience with Cartha and Whitecraigs.

Saturday's friendly will be played in four 20-minute sessions giving all players in the squad an opportunity to impress the selectors, and Wanderers will do well to have the same result as last year.

Wanderers' ladies and girls have also been training for some time and are looking forward to their first league games, with the senior ladies kicking off against Hillhead on August 25 and the ladies' second XV due to face Glasgow University on September 6.

The ladies are also having a talk at the club on Sunday by some inspirational former players.

The Micros have also started on Saturday mornings, while the U18s down to the U13s Boys have also been training .

Finally, congratulations to the club's two U17s who played in the Glasgow Warriors' winning side last week. 

* Wanderers' sponsors are MMSEARCH, while the ladies are sponsored by Straps of Gourock and Brow House Cosmetics.