We’ve arrived at that time of the season, with the big kick off just two weeks further down the line, when circulating transfer rumours grow arms and legs causing clubs at all levels of the WoSFL to be linked with signing approaches for what few players remain out there and still open to offers.

Everyone, without exception, will say their final shopping list is headed up by a 30-goal plus-per-season striker (astutely without naming names) because that’s what  supporting legions want to hear even if their side’s current forward line already boasts  an array of the most prolific goalscorers doing the rounds.

And there’s no denying those who can deliver on the required strike rate always attract a premium cost but why should  this be when statistically speaking, it’s far more important to splash out on top defenders… and not only because their price tag is a substantially cheaper one?

The realisation has long since dawned on managers, coaches and players themselves that a strong backline is far more likely to yield up league title success than a freescoring strikeforce.

Understandable really, when you think scoring two or indeed three or more goals in a  game does not guarantee victory whereas the stats show keeping a clean sheet means you are more than 60% likely to pick up three points and certain to get at least one.

Hardly surprising therefore for this suspicion that building from the back is the way to go is  finding support at the very top WoSFL level from the seasoned likes of Cumnock boss Tony McInally who swooped in midweek to fix up Morton centreback prospect Chris Stafford on a season-long loan deal.

Macca’s satisfaction at landing the 19-year-old helped gloss over the prospect of his Ayrshire outfit's attacking armory being bereft of injured pair Liam Caddis and Chris Campbell for today’s visit to Townhead Park (3PM kick off) by Glasgow United.

He insisted: “You don’t get to represent Scotland at every Schoolboy level from 12-18’s without having ability so Chris is a terrific capture for us.

“He’s got everything in his make –up other than the experience of regularly playing against more physical and worldly-wise opponents which hopefully he will get from  playing  here at Cumnock and partnering up alongside  older heads such as Kyle McAusland and Alan Murdoch.

“He’s already looking non-fazed by his new surroundings and if he can just accustom to the demands of the WoSFL’s Premier Division then I would go so far as to say he will play first team football for Morton before long.

”It was always my intention to stiffen up our rearguard and make us difficult to beat before addressing any issues further up the pitch .”

Also moving out on loan from Cappielow are youthful midfield duo John Gallagher and Jonathan Lyon with the former putting pen to paper for Kilbirnie Ladeside while teenager Lyon has joined Pollok and made his first starting appearance in a midweek 1-0 defeat away to Yoker Athletic alongside trialist duo Matty Grant (Bellshill Athletic) and the more seasoned Kyle Wilkie (formerly of East Kilbride F.C).

Today’s friendly fixture card has the Whe Ho out to take a second consecutive  Premier Division scalp when heading down to face Kilbirnie Ladeside while nearby Barrfields plays host to an attractive looking contest between Largs Thistle, unbeaten in four pre-season  outings up to  now, and a visiting Arthurlie.

And an intriguing couple of all-Premier affairs are promised by the Blair Park clash of Hurlford Utd and Rutherglen Glencairn as well as Irvine Meadow awaiting the visit of Rossvale.

Medda co-gaffers Colin Spence and James Latta delighted over their side’s 2-1 midweek defeat of Hurlford which saw midfield signing Kyle Faulds finally make his debut (as a second half substitute) following his transfer from Pollok.

Game time was also afforded to recent recruits Sam McLoy (ex-Dalry Thistle) and Dylan Pooler (Troon) as well as recently released Ayr United striker Brian Connor who impressed as a loan signing at Irvine Vics last season .

Wednesday’s competitive  outing did not pass without  mishap for the Meadow management as the highly rated Connor Boyd picked up an ankle ligament injury, making  him a definite  non-starter today  and  doubtful at best for his Ayrshire club’s WoSFL opener against Glenafton.

Meanwhile, more than passing interest is sure to be shown today in the Victoria  Park locking of horns between the Ayrshire town’s other WoSFL club Irvine Vics and visitors Saltcoats Vics.

It’s a first pre-season contest for the Vics, rocked by last weekend’s departure of  team manager Alan Kelly (health grounds) which  preceded the early June  resignation of previous incumbent Brian McLuckie .

Vics officials moved quickly to make a third appointment  in former St Rochs and Stonehouse Violet gaffer Dougie McDuff and  his first week at the helm has been taken up by tapping into his many contacts to bring  together a playing squad .

PLAYING TODAY (Various Kick-Off times apply) Glenafton v Whitletts Vics, Hurlford Utd v Rutherglen Glencairn, Kilsyth Rangers v Thorniewood Utd, Largs Thistle v Arthurlie, Lanark Utd v Blantyre Vics, Irvine Meadow v Rossvale, Kilwinning Rangers v St Cadocs, Creetown v Maryhill. Dumbarton v Clydebank, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Yoker Athletic, Renfrew v Neilston, Cambuslang Rangers v Shotts Bon Accord,  Johnstone Burgh v Rob Roy, Irvine Vics v Saltcoats Vics, Sauchie v East Kilbride Thistle, Stoneyburn v Bellshill Athletic, Luncarty v St Rochs Pollok v Cowdenbeath, Tranent v Darvel ,Vale of Leithen v Cumbernauld Utd, Cumnock v Glasgow Utd, Port Glasgow v St Anthonys, Vale of Leven v Oakley Utd.