AFTER a frustrating festive season for Vale of Leithen, Chic McAleavy’s team hope to finally kick off their League Cup campaign tomorrow (Saturday) against Preston Athletic.

The Innerleithen side did manage 70 minutes of the new cup competition on December 14 at Selkirk before the match was abandoned.

And the following two Section A encounters - against Gala Fairydean and Preston - have both fallen foul of the weather.

Tomorrow Vale are due to host Athletic, who lost their opening cup match at Gala.

Vale coach Fraser Ogilvie said: “It’s been a bit of a stop-start festive period. We start preparing for games and then they are postponed - hopefully we can get a game this week.

“We should be close to full strength and we are confident we have the quality to beat Preston.”