Exciting weekend ahead in National League 1

Dundee Wanderers could sit at the top of the women`s National League 1 if they can see off Hillhead at Upper Windyedge on Saturday.

At present the Taysiders share pole position with Watsonians who are not on duty this weekend, along with GHK, who might have their hands full against Clydesdale Western.

Wanderers have started this year with a bang – they defeated city rivals Grove Menzieshill last weekend for the first time in a while. In many respects the contest was over when Wanderers strolled into a three goal lead during the first half.

And there is considerable young talent in the ranks with Emily Dark and Charlotte Watson at the start of their international careers.

Last season`s results will certainly give the Wanderers` management some encouragement, they put eight past the Glasgow side without reply in the two league encounters.

Clydesdale Western were clearly gutted after surrendering their 2-1 lead over Wildcats to a last gasp strike by Emily Powell, the Titwood-based side will be out to ensure they don’t make the same mistake against GHK.

Clydesdale have a wealth of talent in their ranks, but particularly impressive last weekend at Auchenhowie was striker Emma McGregor, her darting runs at pace caused considerable disquiet in the opposition`s defence.

In fact McGregor scored in the equivalent fixture last season along with Susie Gillman, Zara Mason and Bronwyn Shields in a comfortable 4-0 win.

Wildcats, under the aegis of player/coach Kaz Cuthbert, took the game to Clydesdale in the first half last weekend, but fell out of the contest somewhat after the interval. However, under Cuthbert`s drive they never gave up and were rewarded with a late equaliser.

This Saturday the Auchenhowie side travel to Edinburgh to take on a Grange side that lost their opening match 2-0 at GHK. A repeat of last season`s 2-0 win would get Cuthbert`s charges back on the winning way.

Grove Menzieshill are at home to newcomers Glasgow University who dip their toes into the top flight for the first time. Perhaps a baptism of fire against a side that finished third in the table last season but the Taysiders got off to a tough start against Wanderers in their opening encounter.

28 April 2018 at Uddingston Hockey Club. Scottish League Division 1 game, Uddingston v Kelburne – photo by Duncan Gray

The men`s National League 1 campaign opens at Bothwell Castle Policies where Uddingston entertain newly promoted Watsonians.

The Lanarkshire side lacked consistency last season and only retained their top flight status after surviving the relegation play-offs. But there were also bright moments during the campaign, they gave Wildcats a 6-3 mauling at Auchenhowie and held title contenders Bromac Kelburne to back-to-back draws.

Mick Evans has his second season in charge as coach and the captaincy is divided between Bradley Hughes and Steven Percy. That should give a bit of potency to Uddingston`s season as both Hughes and Percy were the club`s leading strikers last season.

Uddingston spokesman Mark Strachan said: “Regarding the targets, we plan to build on the team spirit and dedication shown throughout a good pre-season.

“Success this season will be to remain in the division and demonstrate that we have made progress from the previous campaign.

“Of course we have aspiration, and believe we can compete in every game we play in, but we will look to take each game as it comes.”

Regarding the Watsonians’ encounter, Strachan remarked: “We fully expect a tough match but look forward to the challenge and hope to give those that come to support us a decent performance.”

Elsewhere, Grange begin the defence of their title with a home game against newly promoted Aberdeen Standard Gordonians at Peffermill. On paper the Edinburgh side would hope to collect their first three points of the season, but they will have to do it without the services of Luke Cranney, presently on international duty in Portugal.

The Glasgow derby between Hillhead and Clydesdale is the only other game on the card. Over the seasons this has always been an unpredictable fixture, the home side won the initial encounter 3-2 last season and then lost the return 6-2, Clydesdale striker Struan Walker scoring a hat-trick.

There will be two important changes in personnel, Clydesdale welcome back internationalist Gordon Amour after a few seasons with Edinburgh University, while Hillhead will have to do without Callum Duke, also in Portugal.

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