Trying to maintain any kind of footballing momentum in these coronavirus times can be fraught with unforeseen problems.

Sometimes it all goes wrong and bad things happen when you least expect it, leaving one with nothing to do other than crack on and make the best of a situation.

A case in point is surely that of manager Gordon Moffat, whose Clydebank side proudly share top spot in the WOSFL Premier Division with Darvel, the only other club to chalk up back-to-back victories in their opening two league games.

Hopes are high of building on this dream start when the Bankies head for the Synergy Arena in Kilmarnock later today to take on Bonnton Thistle, however Moff’s preparations  have been comprehensively torn asunder by a couple of obscure Covid call-offs, robbing him of not one but two key defensive figures.

Towering centre-back Matt Niven is having to self-isolate on account of coaching youths on the same pitch where an unrelated coach tested positive for the virus while fellow central defender Jamie Darroch is also missing because he's training to join the police and it’s mandatory for would-be candidates to be resident for the duration of the  course in order to avoid picking up the virus.

Moff said: "Jamie's absence is a blow but understandable in the current climate however to lose Matt when he has operated in the other half of the pitch away from the guy who tested positive and has not been in contact with him whatsoever is bizarre to say the least, but Matt was named as one of the possible contacts and must follow the laid down self-isolation rules.

"It's disappointing as his height and aerial abilities are key elements of our defensive armory particularly away from home in the Premier Division however we managed to tweak things tactically to get a result against a physically powerful side like Hurlford last weekend so hopefully we can again come good by making the best use of what players we have at our disposal.

"Matt McLean came in as Niven's deputy and was arguably the best player afield and we partnered him with my assistant Gary McMenamin who did not hesitate to answer a call to arms even though he was anything but best prepared after missing out on our entire pre-season work and having only two weeks training under his belt.

"As it transpired, Gaz used his great experience to cruise through the 90 minutes and he’ll again come into contention for a jersey as long as he doesn't suffer any reaction to his first game in months."

The Bankies gaffer added: "Bonnyton are the only non-Junior team in this division and as such are a totally unknown quantity so affording them the utmost respect by putting out our strongest possible line-up is a must."

Moffat's strengthening moves over the summer months has seen no fewer than five of his former Rossvale charges, Niven, Frazer Johnstone, Joe Slattery, Liam McMonagle and goalkeeper Jamie Donnelly join him at Holm Park while much sought-after striker Ciaran Mulcahy came on board from Benburb and only last week, winger Lee Gallagher arrived from Glenafton.

The Bankies gaffer added: "On top of Niven and Darroch's absence tomorrow, the likes of  Andy Patterson, Paul Byrne, Craig Holmes and Cammy McLair are also definite non-starters while it remains to be seen whether our Hamilton Accies loan signing, Liam Harris, can come into our plans.

"We will take a bit of beating when everyone is fit and ready but right now I don’t know from week to week who will be available or not."

Joint table-toppers Darvel await the visit of Kilwinning Rangers in what promises to be a meaty all-Ayrshire clash given added impetus by the fancied Buffs losing their WOSFL opener against Blantyre Vics and then suffering a South of Scotland Challenge Cup exit at the hands of Sauchie (1-2) in midweek.

Chris Strain's men will be determined to bounce back against ambitious Darvel, whose ranks were boosted by this week's acquisition of freed Arthurlie striker Tam McGaughey, however a bold approach for Auchinleck Talbot duo Jamie Glasgow and Craig McCracken floundered when the players signed on the dotted line for Lowland League title contenders BSC Glasgow.

Darvel No.2 Kevin McDonald revealed: "A lot of opposing teams set their stall to sit in and defend deep when playing us so McGaughey's close control and dribbling abilities offer us something different.

"It's no secret we would have liked the Talbot pair but their club's preference was always for them to play at another level rather than join the competition and another stumbling block was the duration of the loan deal which is only up to the end of January."

Pollok would appear to be yet another club whose players are going out to pastures new after word broke of veteran striker Ian Russell opting for a move to Cowdenbeath on loan after similar deals saw Stephen McVittie join Rossvale and Darren Christie sign for BSC.

Meanwhile, WOSFL officials are thought to be bracing themselves for further withdrawals from their inaugural league set up before next Saturday's deadline after 142-year-old Larkhall Thistle became the 18th club to pull out.

The club statement read:

"After much soul searching and deliberation by the club committee we have decided to take advantage of the 14th. November final deadline to withdraw from the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) for the remainder of the 20/21 season.

"Many challenges as regards continuing were discussed but paramount in everyone's thinking was the health and safety of our coaching staff, players, committee and their families as coronavirus continues to spread and cause concern for us all.

"Unanimously we agreed that the health risks associated with us continuing to play were too great as are the sanctions which would be imposed by the WOSFL should we be forced to withdraw after the deadline.

"The club would like to thank the coaching staff and players for their efforts and commitment both in terms of their work ethic at training and games and their voluntary decision to play without any monies.

"Like many other clubs we will now set our sights on returning to action season 21/22.

"Many people have taken out club memberships to date and we thank them most sincerely with these monies now going towards their season ticket for what we all hope will be a normal season 21/22.

"This old club has been in existence for over 142 years and this was very much in our thoughts when we made this decision."

Saturday 7 Nov (kick offs 2pm) 
WOSFL Premier Division Troon v Rossvale, Benburb v Beith, Largs Thistle v Irvine Meadow, Cumbernauld Utd v Rob Roy, Darvel v Kilwinning Rangers, Bonnyton Thistle v Clydebank, Hurlford Utd v Rutherglen Glencairn.
WOSFL Conference League A Maryhill v Annbank Utd, Bellshill Athletic v Ardeer Thistle, Muirkirk v Ashfield, Kello Rovers v Renfrew, Craigmark v Maybole.
WOSFL Conference League B Wishaw v Johnstone Burgh, Carluke Rovers v Vale of Leven, Greenock v Forth Wanderers, Gartcairn v St Cadoc's, Irvine Vics v Lugar Boswell, Vale of Clyde v Port Glasgow.
WOSFL Conference League C St Anthony's v East Kilbride Thistle, Yoker Athletic v Drumchapel Utd, Lanark Utd v Kilsyth Rangers.