Clyde and Cumbernauld Colts seek NL Cup stand-ins for St Mirren and Stirling Albion

The four-team tournament is due to take place at Broadwood next weekend, September 26 and 27.

Host clubs Clyde and Cumbernauld are taking part and St Mirren’s development side and Stirling Albion had also been lined up to participate.

But tightened lockdown introduced in East Renfrewshire meant St Mirren had to pull out.

And Stirling Albion were then also unable to take part after similar restrictions were imposed in North Lanarkshire - where the tournament will take place - last week.

The tournament is being jointly organised by Clyde and Colts who now need to look closer to home for prospective opponents. But Bully Wee chairman John Taylor says it will still go ahead.

He said: “Because of the local authority lockdown wecanonly play teams within North Lanarkshire.

“But we are definitely committed to playing the competition, we are just waiting to get opponents firmed up.

“We are going ahead with it . . . it’s just a question of who the other two teams are.”

Originally it was anticipated that North Lanarkshire duo Airdrie and Albion Rovers could take part, but they were both unavailable when plans were drawn up and were replaced by St Mirren and Stirling Albion.

It’s also hoped that the tournament may be broadcast online, but arrangements for this have still to be confirmed.

Meanwhile the Covid restrictions in North Lanarkshire meant Clyde had to cancel a planned bounce game against Petershill last Saturday, instead facing Colts at Broadwood.

Danny Lennon’s side were also due to face Cumbernauld United at Broadwood last night (Tuesday) and are hopeful that another friendly against West of Scotland League side Shotts Bon Accord on Sunday will also still go ahead.