Final games of National League before winter shutdown

Bromac Kelburne have taken up position at the top of men’s National league 1 courtesy of a 5-1 win over Edinburgh University, and Grange`s fixture against Western Wildcats falling foul of the frost. The champions are two points ahead of a Grange side that remain the only unbeaten outfit in the division, but have played a game more.

Victory away at Hillhead in the final game before the winter shutdown would bring to a climax Grange`s successful campaign during the first half of the season.

Grange coach David Knipe is not thinking of titles and silverware at the moment, but simply the task of taking three points from the tough clash with a much improved Hillhead outfit.

“We really have to be focused to play only the next game against Hillhead, they are having a strong season so we know how difficult this game is,” said Knipe.

The sides have already met this season in the Scottish Cup, Grange were at home this time and emerged 4-2 winners courtesy of two goals from Irishman Frank Ryan, Todd Mills and Joe Waterston getting the others.

But the Glasgow side have made significant strides in the league since then and currently occupy third place in the table on goal difference from Grove Menzieshill.

Hillhead coach Mark Ralph is under no illusions: “Grange are going well at the moment and we need to match their intensity in everything we do.

“In the cup game we started slowly and let in an early goal but the second half was a more even contest, we need to take confidence from that and look to focus on our game.”Wildcats v Grange m 2016

Kelburne will be looking to continue their hold on pole position when they meet a Watsonians side stuttering after a very promising start to the season.

Grove Menzieshill will certainly be waiting in the wings for a Hillhead slip-up, the Taysiders will be hoping to pick up the points against Uddingston Riva, although the Lanarkshire side have won twice in their last three outings.

After three reversals in a row Edinburgh University coach Graham Moodie will be anxious to get back to winning ways at home to Western Wildcats and perhaps return to a top four place in the league.

The clash between Gordonians and PSL Clydesdale has a must-win look about it, both are without a league victory this season and the loser will occupy the basement position.

There is no doubting hockey’s game of the day in women`s National League 1, the long awaited clash between joint leaders Milne Craig Clydesdale Western and their great rivals Grove Menzieshill at Titwood.

Both sides have a perfect record in the league so far, Western top the division courtesy of a three point advantage having played a game more along with a vastly superior goal difference.

Western coach Derek Forsyth has reversed the Titwood-based side`s decline over the last few years and that progress is clearly evident in this season`s results, which have amassed 47 goals in seven games so far. While the goals have been spread fairly widely, Jen Eadie, Heather Lang, Millie Brown, Fiona Bruce and the Howie sisters Ali and Heather have been the main providers.

Forsyth said: “Both the girls and myself are satisfied with the way the season has gone so far but we are fully aware there are areas of our game to improve on.

“Last year`s matches against Grove Menzieshill were both close which we unfortunately lost by the odd goal. This season we have a number of players who have contributed on the goal front and I hope on Saturday they continue in that form.”

Perhaps Grove Menzieshill`s results have not been what they hoped, although Sarah Jamieson, Iona Armour, Katie Robertson and Hanna McKie have been regulars on the scoresheet, but the Taysiders are still in there with an unbeaten record.

Champions Edinburgh University are waiting in the wings, assuming they can see off Watsonians, the students could move into second spot if Grove Menzieshill fail to take the three points.

This weekend Dundee Wanderers travel to Glasgow to face a Kelburne side on the same points mark, and only a win here will kickstart their progress up the table. The omens are good, the Taysiders came to the same venue on quarter-final cup business and came away with a 2-1 victory.

Western Wildcats v Aberdeen w 2016

Western Wildcats can further consolidate their top four status at Auchenhowie if they take three points from their confrontation with a Hillhead side, who have not gained any further points since winning their opening game of the season against CALA Edinburgh.

On Sunday Erskine Stewart`s Melville have the chance to clear themselves from the relegation zone if they can see off bottom side CALA Edinburgh who have yet to pick up a point in this season`s campaign.

 

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