BEITH Juniors have their sights firmly set on a third consecutive league crown - with the possibility of an added incentive this time around.

The Mighty began their quest for a third consecutive West of Scotland Football League Premier Division title on Saturday with a 3-0 victory at home to newly-promoted Shotts Bon Accord.

But before a ball was kicked at Bellsdale the club's longer-term future was given a boost with news that their application for full SFA membership has been submitted.

If accepted it would mean that if Beith do win a third Premier Division title - and manager Chris Strain says he's well aware that that is a big 'if' - it would grant them entry into the play-offs for the Lowland League, with the potential of promotion to the fifth tier of the Scottish game.

"The SFA membership is out of our control," he said. "That has been the viewpoint from me going forward.

“The club knows exactly what we want as a playing squad and as coaching staff. We want the ability to play at the highest level that we can.

“There’s been factors out with our control, and the club’s control, and we are doing what we can with that.

"I’m fairly relaxed about it. I don’t think you can afford to look too far ahead about what it means for the club.

“All it would mean is we would have the ability to go into a play-off should we win the league again, and that’s certainly our aim.

“We want that opportunity to get a crack at it, but it’s easier said than done that that is going to happen.”

(Image: Stephen Kerr)

Unsurprisingly, Strain's focus, for now, is on the start of the league season, with Beith beginning the new campaign in the same place they finished the last one - on top of the table, albeit for now only on goal difference.

“We’ve got a lot of games in a short space of time," he said, "so it’s important to get off to a good start. Fortunately we managed that.

“Pre-season preparation hasn’t been ideal. It’s been a bit stop-start. So to get the win on the day was exactly what we were looking for.”

Strain says he expects the competition to be even tougher this year than it was in the last two seasons, with more teams putting more resources into wresting the crown away from Bellsdale.

But he also says he's quietly confident that his side is in an even better position than they were last season - despite the loss of some key figures.

He said: “I think there are seven or eight teams in our league that are capable of winning it. That speaks volumes for the competition.

“It’s going to be difficult, but it’s been difficult the last two years as well.

“We’ve got our own internal expectations of what we hope to achieve, but beyond that it’s just about maximising the squad we’ve got.

“I feel we’ve got a better squad in terms of depth. Obviously we lost a lot of individuals last year and that’s something we’ve tried hard to rectify.

“You never know how everybody will settle, so there’s an experimental phase at this time, but I’m pleased with how it’s going and I’m pleased with how the boys have responded to the challenge.

"Everyone knows the expectation for this season.”

(Image: Stephen Kerr)

Beith's new signings got off to a flying start on Saturday, with new recruits Jordan Stuart and Fraser Malcolm both getting on the scoresheet - with the latter also setting up Carlo Monti for the third and final goal.

Strain continued: “Jordan and Fraser scored, and there’s a few boys that played that maybe don’t grab the headlines, but they played well. I think they [the new signings] have integrated well with the boys that are there.

“There’s eight new faces, which is a lot, and they need to get up to speed with our standards but they’ve done that and they’ve risen to the challenge.

“I’m pleased with how it’s shaping up. I think we’ve got a good bit to go to get to where we want to be, but I think you’ll find everyone’s in that boat, so I’m not overly fazed or worried about where we are.

“Just now it’s about making sure we pick up points, as the games come thick and fast, and the cup ties bring different challenges as well.

“I think as long as we keep the focus just now week to week and game to game then we’ll be fine – and if we can maximise the points early doors it gives us the breathing space to go try and improve performances, structures and how we want to play."

Next up for Beith is a home fixture against newly promoted Drumchapel United on Wednesday, July 31, with kick-off at 7.30pm.

After that Strain takes his side to Glasgow on August 3 to face Benburb (KO 2pm).