A hill to climb for Grange

ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT NATIONAL LEAGUE  – 
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Three teams have a perfect record so far in the Aberdeen
Asset Management national league, Glynhill Kelburne who are on
EuroLeague duty this weekend, along with Grove Menzieshill and
Grange, and they meet head to head on Tayside on Saturday – so
something will have to give here.

Menzieshill have certainly been the surprise packet of this
season so far, three victories in a row and 15 goals in the process
– that is impressive early form.  The manner in which the
Dundonians ripped open the Western Wildcats defence last Saturday
was clinical and extremely effective.

“The result came from hard work by the team and an increased
number of chances taken, although I believe there is still real
room for improvement in this department,” said Chris Anderson,
Menzieshill`s coach.

Anderson is in no doubt that the Grange encounter will be a
stiff test of his emerging squad.   “Grange are a good
team and constantly perform well, so we will treat them with
respect.   But I`m confident that if we approach this
game in the same manner as the Western contest, we stand a very
good chance of a positive result.”

Three players missed the Western encounter through Injury, Ryan
Cathro will remain on the sidelines with a long term problem, Ali
Irvine may return this weekend, but Anderson expects Ross Stott to
be fit to face Grange.

The Edinburgh side will be a tough test for Anderson`s charges,
they have already seen off AMN Hillhead and Edinburgh University,
and coach Colin Clarke is fairly satisfied.    “I`m
happy with our start, although there is room for improvement.”

But Clarke did admit: “Menzieshill are the form team of the
season with some excellent results, they play open and attacking
hockey, so the game will be a tight affair.”

Not an easy one to predict, last season the equivalent fixture
ended in a 3-3 draw.    The result may come down to
proficiency at penalty corners between Taysider Gavin Tomlinson and
Rob Barr of Grange, both on song in these early fixtures.

The clash between West coast rivals PSL Team Sport Clydesdale
and Western Wildcats is always one to savour.   It is
very rare for these teams to draw a blank in a game, it happened
only once last season, yet both sides failed to find the net at all
last weekend.  

Vishal Marwaha, the Wildcats` coach, was left shell-shocked
after last weekend`s five goal mauling.  “We were competitive
for the first 20 minutes, but after Menzieshill scored, we lost our
composure and failed to get any control of the game.”

Marwaha would settle for a repeat of last year`s outcome, goals
from Ian Moodie (2) and Neil Sommerville gave his side a narrow 3-2
win over Clydesdale, but the former Scotland player knows it will
be difficult.   “Clydesdale are always a difficult
opponent and will be very competitive at home.    We
will have to significantly improve our performance levels, and
after last week we can only get better.”

Both sides are in mid-table with a win and defeat on the record,
so another close encounter is envisaged.

Inverleith returned to winning ways last weekend with a single
goal victory over Clydesdale, another home win over AMN Hillhead
would push the Edinburgh side up the table.   

Hillhead picked up their first point of the season last Saturday
with a 3-3 draw against Watsonians, and they showed a lot of
courage in the process coming back from a three goal deficit.

The final match of the card brings together AAM Gordonians and
Watsonians in the North East.   It is early doors yet for
the two promoted outfits, but points earned now take the pressure
off for later in the season.

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