Europe, Premiership and Scottish Cup on Offer this Weekend

Edinburgh University men are 125 years old and one of the oldest clubs in Scotland, and this weekend they travel to Eindhoven for their European baptism in the opening round of the EHL.

The students earned their trip after winning the Premiership title and the European play-off, both for the first time. A very fair achievement.

Now they carry their trade to the Netherlands to take on French side Lille on Friday, and SV Arminen from Austria the following day, in a three-team competition. However, it is only the winner that will progress to the knock-out stages next year. Both Lille and Arminen have considerable European experience, so this will be a real challenge for Edinburgh.

Edinburgh University’s Martin Beckford said of the opposition. “Both Arminen and Lille have long histories of success in their respective domestic leagues and have rich experience of playing in European competitions.  We are expecting tough challenges against talented and committed teams and know we need to be at our best to compete against them.  It has been possible to gather a few insights on both of them from online videos and it’s helpful that our local rivals Watsonians played Arminen in April and we can learn from their experience too.”

So, what is the mood in the squad about their first experience of the EHL?  Martin remarked: “The squad are excited and the anticipation has been building over the last few weeks.  The group are determined to represent the club and the Scottish league with pride and passion at the top level of European club hockey. Selection for the final squad involved several difficult decisions and those travelling to Eindhoven are representing the entire training group as a collective.”

About the targets for the tournament, Martin said: “Our focus is on using our strengths to compete at this level and put together back-to-back performances without being distracted by the occasion. With the new format of the competition, placings in the group may not be decided until the final match on Sunday, so our aims are process-based – we want to perform bravely and with maximum effort, so preparing well and recovering effectively between matches are key elements in addition to winning as many moments in the matches as we can to build momentum and disrupt our opponents.”

Edinburgh University may be European novices, but they have several players in their ranks with international experience in the shape of Jamie Croll, Jamie Golden, last season ‘s leading striker, Keir Robb and Jamie Green – that should put them in good stead.

However, on the squad selection, Martin remarked: “Competition for places in the squad is incredibly strong and we are confident the group selected are capable of putting in performances we will be proud of. A couple of injury risks are being carefully managed right up to the start of the tournament and we are grateful for the expert medical support helping us to play with the strongest squad possible when we start on Friday.”

Last weekend there were five teams on maximum points and now there are only three. That is Western Wildcats, Watsonians and Uddingston, Edinburgh University and Clydesdale faltered.

Western Wildcats sneak pole position on goal difference and on Saturday have a more challenging assignment at Titwood against a Dale side that have started the season in a promising manner, despite last weekend’s loss to Uddy. The problem for Dale coach Harry Dunlop, himself with Western Wildcats for several years in the past, is to halt their free-scoring machine that has found the net 21 times in their three matches. Once again, Fraser Moran is a regular on the scoresheet along with Andrew McAllister, Adam Mackenzie and others.

Watsonians are in second spot but their game with Edinburgh University is postponed on account of the EHL.

Third placed Uddingston, who have still yet to concede a goal, head along the M8 to take on Grange at noon. In past seasons that would have been a daunting encounter but the Edinburgh side are in rebuilding mode with a selection of talented youngsters and a spate of injuries so on paper, a much less daunting task for Uddy as Grange have yet to pick up a point. Yet there is a potential banana skin here for the rising Lanarkshire side at Fettes.

Of the present lower six sides it is only Kelburne that have emerged with a win after three games, and they travel to an Inverleith side that have yet to break their duck. So, the Buddies might fancy another three points.

Hillhead’s home game against ESM Lions has an intriguing look about it. The Glasgow side may only have two points to their credit but last weekend they held champions Edinburgh University to a 2-2 draw at Peffermill, courtesy of a late spot conversion by Euan Menzies. So, Hillhead are no pushovers!

In contrast, ESM Lions had their claws clipped 6-2 by the same Edinburgh students but they followed that up with wins over Dunfermline Carnegie and then Grange.

So, pick the bones out of that!

The final fixture on the card sees Grove Menzieshill entertain a Dunfermline Carnegie outfit that have leaked 27 goals already in their three games. So, Tayside coach Gavin Byers will be planning their first three points of the campaign.

The weekend’s match between Clydesdale Western and GHK was forwarded to Tuesday evening and the former emerged 2-0 winners, the goals came from Jenny Eadie and Bronwyn Shields. The result confirmed Clydesdale Western’s position at the top of the Women’s Premiership.

It’s impossible to see any trends yet emerging in the Women’s Premiership as most teams have only had a single outing so far.

Defending Premiership champions Watsonians made a steady early defence of their title against Wildcats with Ellie O’Connor scoring three of the six, and this weekend they travel to Aberdeen to take on newly promoted Gordonians. It is difficult to see the Edinburgh side faltering here.

Edinburgh University will be smarting after losing eight goals to Clydesdale Western and entertain Hillhead with the view of kick starting their season.

Perhaps the most interesting game on the card brings St Andrews University to Grange. With so many changes in personnel it is still difficult to evaluate how this will impact on this season’s form, but they did gain a creditable draw at Uddingston in their first outing, newcomer Emmy Tran getting the equaliser. However, Grange enters the fray this year full of hope and ambition and are set on a top six place. They started off their quest with a four-goal victory at Gordonians so this could be a close encounter.

Friday evening sees Uddingston visit Glasgow University in another encounter difficult to predict. Uddy picked up an early point against the St Andrews students while Glasgow coach Murray McVicar will still be trying to work out his best formula with the usual turnover of players.

 

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