PRE-SEASON preparations for West Fife's East of Scotland League clubs are well underway ahead of their big kick off later this month.

The new campaign for Premier Division outfits Crossgates Primrose and Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, and First Division Oakley United and Rosyth, will begin on July 29 after the fixture card was released.

All-but Rosyth, who host Whitehill Welfare, will be on the road on the opening day, with Primrose visiting Haddington Athletic; Swifts travelling to Jeanfield Swifts; and Oakley making the trip to Whitburn.

Alan Campbell's Primrose played their first friendly matches of the summer this week, with a 1-1 draw at Easthouses Lily, in which Craig Henderson scored their goal, followed by a 7-1 loss at Lowland League, Bo'ness United, on Tuesday evening.

Cammy Dow was on the scoresheet for Crossgates, who have bolstered their squad with the likes of attacking midfielder, Josh Jeffries – who spent time on loan with the Swifts last term – from Broxburn Athletic; Penicuik Athletic duo, Alex Chingwalu and Gregor MacDonald; and vastly experienced former St Johnstone Scottish Cup winner, Steven Anderson.

Crossgates continue their pre-season with a visit to the University of Stirling on Saturday, before hosting Heriot-Watt University on Tuesday evening.

Also in action this week were Inverkeithing, who lost narrowly at home to Cowdenbeath on Saturday, before securing a win against Kirkcaldy and Dysart on Tuesday, in a game played at Raith Rovers' Stark's Park.

New boss, Jason Dair, watched Aiden McLaughlin net the only goal to give the Blue Brazil victory at Dalgety Bay before an Aaron Wood penalty, and a stunning Ryan Cowie free-kick, helped secure a 2-1 win against Kirkcaldy and Dysart.

"Cowdenbeath was a great workout for us," Dair said.

"Cowden have added a bit of quality to their squad, so it was a tough game. They hit the woodwork a few times, and our keeper's had good saves in both halves to keep it down to 1-0. Late on, we had a couple of good chances ourselves, and really should have scored, but, overall, I was happy with how we defended.

"Kirkcaldy was just about the opposite. I thought we were the better team for the majority of the game and, although we only ended up winning 2-1, it felt a lot more comfortable than that.

"We're seeing gradual improvement game-to-game now in terms of fitness and how we want them to play."

Rosyth have also had a busy schedule and, on Saturday, Jason Penman, Tam Hampson and Darren Ormiston got the goals in a 3-1 win over Letham, before earning a draw with Sauchie Juniors, from whom they have secured Campbell Tully, Kieran McMahon, and Jack Fisher, on loan.

"We've had a good pre-season and the boys have responded well," boss Greig Denham said.

"We've added a few new additions, who are looking positive, and we've had some really challenging games, which was done purposely to challenge the boys, and get the boys to aspire to that level.

"We lost narrowly to an improving Cowdenbeath team, beat Dundonald and, although it's only pre-season, it's a god barometer of where the squad are. We competed very well against Letham, from Perthshire, and then drew with a really strong Sauchie squad.

"It's been encouraging."

Rosyth go to Hill of Beath Hawthorn for another friendly on Tuesday evening, whilst the Swifts are due to host Nairn County, of the Highland League, on Saturday, and then Dunfermline Athletic's academy side on Tuesday evening.

Oakley United, meanwhile, have secured last season's top scorer, Brian McAdam, and goalkeeper, Josh Irvine, on new deals, and have signed midfielders, Lewis Ward and Brandon Callaghan, goalkeeper, Declan Morgan, and new player / coach, Stevie Dolan.

Peter Goldie's side are due to host Letham on Saturday, and then travel to Whitburn on Tuesday.