Another big weekend in National League awaits

After a near miss in Europe last weekend Bromac Kelburne hope to use that experience to see off rivals Grove Menzieshill in this weekend’s top first division fixture on Tayside.

Gordon Shepherd, Kelburne`s coach, said:  “Our intention is to continue to improve on the excellent performances of last weekend. Grove Menzieshill will be a tough game but I`m confident if we can produce the form we have already shown this season, we can come away with the three points.”

With a full squad available Kelburne could present a difficult challenge for Grove Menzieshill`s aspirations for silverware this season. But the Taysiders` coach Chris Anderson brings his own statistic into the equation. “We were undefeated against them in the league last year, so we know we have the ability to beat them, but we know we`ll need to play very well to win.”

Anderson`s charges have made a promising start to the campaign; they have clocked up wins over Western Wildcats and Edinburgh University, although they let slip a 3-0 lead against Grange to finish with a share of the spoils.

Ben Wilson returns and striker Paul Martin may also feature depending on a late fitness test, but Gavin Byers and Euan Cuthill are still missing.

However, it is newly promoted Watsonians who are in pole position after three games and this weekend they visit Hillhead to try and maintain that exceptional start.

The Edinburgh side have scored 16 goals so far in their three straight victories in the league, and have taken to National League 1 with ease. Last weekend however they succumbed 5-1 to Hillhead in the Scottish Cup, so this weekend’s big National League encounter holds a lot of promise for an exciting match.

Grange could move up from their present fifth position with a home win against a PSL Clydesdale side that have barely moved into a canter so far this season.

Even after only three games played the league is already taking on a top and bottom half shape, so the winner of the clash between Gordonians and Western Wildcats could make some progress up the ladder.

There is no doubting that the top attraction in the women`s competition is the Titwood clash between Milne Craig Western and visitors Edinburgh University.

“Hopefully we can win on Saturday, that`s the plan,” said a confident Sam Judge, Edinburgh`s player/coach.  “Games against Western are always quite open, but we have a lot of pace throughout the team, and that is a strength of ours.”

There are plenty of lethal finishers in the Edinburgh ranks; Amy Brodie who got five against CALA last week, Becky Merchant, Sarah Robertson and Judge herself when required.

Western are at the top of the pile with three straight victories, but last weekend required a stirring comeback from 2-0 down to see off Dundee Wanderers by the odd goal in five.

Derek Forsyth, Western`s coach, said:  “We feel we got closer to their level in the play-off matches last year. Our squad is stronger now so we are looking to build on these performances, it will be a good challenge for us.”

Forsyth spent last year rebuilding the famous Glasgow side with the introduction of several younger players alongside experienced internationalists – it seems to be working with three straight victories in the women`s first division and 22 goals in the process. The Glasgow side are certainly piling in the goals this season with Jen Eadie, Fiona Bruce and Millie Brown the main contributors.

Forsyth said:  “Our squad is stronger this year and we are looking to build on these performances, the game against the champions will be a good challenge for us.”

There are a few niggling injuries in the squad which will require some late fitness testing.  But Forsyth said:  “Having a bigger squad this year helps as we have the cover if these players are not available.”

The chasing pack will be hoping to progress further up the table, second placed Grove will be hoping to overcome Hillhead while Wildcats and Dundee Wanderers face Kelburne and Erskine Stewart`s Melville respectively. Meanwhile, CALA host Watsonians as both battle for some points this season to climb up the table.

 

 

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