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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

East Kilbride boss backs 32-game Lowland League but admits Covid concerns over finishing season

East Kilbride gaffer Stevie Aitken has welcomed plans for a 32-game Lowland League season - but admits a second wave of Covid-19 could cause fixture chaos.

Lanarkshire Live Sport revealed last month the season would kick-off on October 10, but it has now been reported the league will be a full 32-game campaign.

The Highland League, whose champions play the Lowland winners at the end of the season for the chance to get promoted to League Two, will play a truncated 16-game campaign, kicking off on October 17.

Aitken said: "I think 32 games is what you want in a championship, you don't want to start cutting fixtures.

"I don't know how the Highland League will work, but I think to get this news is good for us.

"It's going to be a cramped schedule. It will be challenging because you'll have the winter coming in and call-offs.

"How it fits in then, I don't know.

"You could have a second wave of Covid as well, so there's a lot to think about going forward.

"For now, we just have to concentrate on what we have ahead of us.

Kilby's new management team - from left: Ian Durrant, Stevie Aitken and Chris Aitken - will have a 32-game campaign to negotiate (East Kilbride News)

"There will be a lot of midweek games and I think if you ask players, they prefer that to training.

"We've always liked that and we are making sure we have a strong squad to cope with that."

With the Lowland League playing double the games of their Highland counterparts, Aitken admits only time will tell if that will put them at a disadvantage, should they reach the play-offs.

He added: "I think if you are looking at a 16-game championship instead, potentially, come the playoffs those teams might not have competitive enough games at that stage.

"On the other hand, we might have burnt out by the end of 32 games and cup competitions."

The Lowland League will comprise of 17 teams this season with Bo'ness United being promoted and no teams being relegated following last season's curtailed campaign.

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on  Facebook or find us on  Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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