A lot in the mix for this weekend`s Indoor National League

This weekend sees a full card of men`s (Saturday) and women`s (Sunday) action – a total of 20 games which should see the respective leagues begin to take shape.

When was the last time Grange topped the men’s indoor division 1 table? But that is where they are, on the same points and goal difference as Grove Menzieshill but having scored more goals.   But they have played a game more!

Yet, will the Edinburgh side stay there?   To do so they will first of all have to see off Uddingston, but their second encounter of the day against champions Inverleith could be a real tester.   Two wins and one defeat was a good achievement last weekend considering they had a slim squad, but Gordon Amour, Livio Belotti and Jacob Tweedie were among the goals.

And so on to Grove Menzieshill, a solid start with wins over Clydesdale and Grange, but this weekend could be a challenge.  Bruce Cuthill`s troops open against champions Inverleith, then Uddingston, and finishing off in the unpredictable Dundee derby against Wanderers…in the past this was always a tousy tussle   If they come through that ordeal unscathed, then progress will indeed have been made.

Last season Inverleith were clear winners at 9-4 in the opening encounter but the Taysiders retaliated with a 4-3 win in the return, Luke Cranney getting the belated winner.   In a low scoring day last weekend Menzieshill were also low scoring with only seven goals in their two games, Findlay Duncan was the pick of the strikers.

So what about Inverleith…on the opening day a win over Uddingston was followed by a 4-4 draw against Wildcats, here Alex Wilson and Charlie Jack grabbed a brace each.

Inverleith`s clash with Menzieshill could be a close affair and probably the game of the day at DISC.

Inverleith`s other encounter is against Grange – a local derby…never predictable.

Wildcats are third in the table and could move up with a three game day, opening against Clydesdale, then Dundee Wanderers, and finally Uddingston.     Coach Vishal Marwaha will be expecting nine points here, especially if they can repeat the form that devoured Watsonians 7-1.   And there is the added bonus of the belated signing of Jamie Golden who topped the goal tally with four supported by Fraser Moran and Andrew Lochrin.

So that takes care of the present top four – what of the others?

Well Dundee Wanderers were the only side to record a win, against Clydesdale, but then went down by the same margin to Grange.  If the Taysiders have aspirations to progress up the table they will need to take the three points from Saturday`s opening game against Watsonians, their later encounter with Western might be a little more problematical, and finally there is local rivals Menzieshill to contend with.   It could be a long day for the Wanderers!

Watsonians picked up a point in their 3-3 draw with Uddingston and could kick-start their campaign against Wanderers and Clydesdale.    Uddy, on the other hand, face Grange, Menzieshill and Western where points may be at a premium.

Clydesdale may sit pointless at the foot of the table but only lost their three games last weekend by 4-2 – so far from disgraced.  Wildcats on Saturday`s opening game might stretch their resources but Watsonians in the second match could yield something, especially if Jack Nairn can be sharp in front of goal.

Azets Clydesdale Western certainly hit the ground running on the opening day of the women`s division 1 last weekend – they comfortably won all three games, they scored 36 goals, conceded only four, and were easily the star attraction.

But there a long way to go in the competition and there may be pitfalls ahead.    In addition, after Christmas Clydesdale`s international players will be concentrating on the preparations for the World Cup Qualifier at the end of February.   Interestingly Jennifer Eadie was top scorer with eleven, ably supported by Millie Steiger, Lucy Williamson and Kayleigh Justice.

However, the points and substantial goal difference are on the board and the others have to catch up.

On Sunday Clydesdale are again first up at DISC up against Wildcats and then the big one against rivals Watsonians.    The Edinburgh side won last year`s final 2-0 to take the title and the place in Europe – will history repeat itself?

Well, according to last weekend`s form it is Clydesdale who are at the gallop.   Certainly Watsonians won both their games…but much more modestly, 4-1 against Wildcats and 4-3 over Inverleith.  Missing the lethal finishing of Sarah Jamieson was evident.    But Emily Dark and Katie Stott did pop in a goal or two.

It would be easy to say that the advantage lay with Clydesdale, but to dismiss the strength in depth of Watsonians would be foolish.    Earlier Watsonians warm up against Dundee Wanderers.

GHK, Wanderers, Wildcats and Inverleith are all on three points – so will any of them push their way up the table?   Some have an easier day than others.  Inverleith perhaps have the best chance, they have a three game day against GHK, Grange and Wildcats – not easy but doable if Bopi Monte and Jen Tait can find the net again.

GHK might make progress as their other game is against Hillhead, Wildcats have a lot of experience in their squad with Kate Holmes, Alex Stuart and Lucy Macmillan and could take points off Dundee Wanderers and Inverleith.   Finally Wanderers have Watsonians, Wildcats and Grange on the menu, but finding the net appears to be an issue with only three in total last weekend, even with Charlotte Watson in the ranks.

So it will be interesting to see which side emerges from the mid-table pack.

Grange and Hillhead are still pointless, but that will not continue as they meet head to head in the fourth match with the winner getting off the mark.

 

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