Grove Menzieshill maintain perfect record in men’s Indoor National League 1

Grove Menzieshill continued the relentless drive towards their 21st men’s indoor National League 1 title with another six points from today`s back-to-back victories over bottom side Edinburgh University and city rivals Dundee Wanderers.

Grove Menzieshill maintained their perfect record with a 4-1 win over the Edinburgh students in their first outing of the day. The champions led 3-1 at the interval with strikes from Gavin Byers, Albert Rowling and veteran Ross McPherson, Callum White replied for the students at a penalty corner.

The only goal of the second half came three minutes from the end through Cameron Golden.

Grove Menzieshill maintain perfect record in men’s Indoor National League 1
17 December 2016 at Bells Sports Centre, Perth. Scottish Division 1 Indoor Hockey – photo by Duncan Gray

Against Wanderers the champions strolled into a 3-0 half-time lead through McPherson, Ben Cromar from a penalty corner and Byers. Although Fergus Sandison scored a couple for Wanderers in the second half, Grove Menzieshill`s three goal advantage was preserved by a double from Golden.

Dundee Wanderers` unbeaten record failed to survive their opening encounter with Hillhead, the Taysiders went down 5-3 to slip down the table.

Hillhead opened up a 2-1 lead at the interval through Ross Jamieson and David Gay, Jack Fullerton replied for the Dundonians. Early in the second half the Glasgow side advanced to 4-1 through Fraser Ward and Andrew Black although a spot conversion by Fergus Sandison brought the score back to 4-2. The points were finally sealed with a fifth goal from Andrew Hilton before Bobby Ralph notched a set piece consolation for Wanderers.

A hat-trick in either half was the foundation of Inverleith`s comfortable 10-3 win over Edinburgh University. Stuart Neave`s charges were well in command at the break with a 5-2 lead, Christie scored three while Aidan McCrossan and Murray Fotheringham got the others, Peter McKnight and Callum White were on target for the students.

Inverleith doubled their tally in the second half, Christie collected another hat-trick while Ewan Mackie picked up a double, Jack Jamieson got Edinburgh`s sole reply.

Inverleith contrived to make Wanderers` day worse with a 6-4 victory which pushed the Edinburgh side further up the table. Stuart Hatton and Christie again put the Edinburgh side two up before Fullerton pulled one back for the Taysiders just before the interval.

In the second half Inverleith raced into a 4-2 lead with a double from Kyle Taylor while Fergus Sandison scored a penalty corner for Wanderers. The Dundonians looked to have staged a spirited comeback with goals by Elliot Sandison and Callum Ross to tie the score at 4-4, but Inverleith took the three points with further goals from Hatton again and finally Aidan McCrossan for a two goal cushion.

Grove Menzieshill maintain perfect record in men’s Indoor National League 1
Johnny Christie – Photo by Mark Pugh

Bromac Kelburne continued their winning sequence with a 7-5 victory over Grange. The Paisley side moved into a 4-2 half time lead through Chris Caldwell, Johnny Christie, Michael Bremner and Joss Cairns at a penalty corner, Jacob Tweedie and Frank Ryan scored for Grange.

Goals from Luke Cranney and Jono Hawley brought the scoreline back to 4-4 but Christie, Bremner and Caldwell moved the outdoor champions into an unassailable three goal lead, Ryan did manage a late consolation for the Edinburgh side.

Kelburne secured their hold on second spot following an 8-3 win over Hillhead in their second game of the day. The Paisley side strolled into a four goal lead by the break, Caldwell, Gary Maitles, Chris Nelson and Neil McIntyre were the scorers. Hillhead managed to pull two back through Euan Campbell and Ross Jamieson after the interval, but doubles from Cairns and Christie secured a comfortable victory despite a late strike by Hillhead`s Iain Hilton.

Clydesdale advanced their cause to joint third in the table with narrow victories over Grange and Edinburgh University. It was 1-1 against Grange in the opening encounter, Clydesdale`s Chris McFadden and Luke Cranney exchanged goals in the first half. The Glasgow side pulled away after the interval with a double from Dean Baber, Grange`s Frank Ryan scored a consolation with only a couple of minutes left but the points went West.

In the final game of the day Clydesdale had another narrow 6-5 win over Edinburgh University. It was only 3-2 to the Titwood side at the interval with Paddy Lonergan, Chris McFadden and Andrew Allan scoring, the students replied with a double by Callum White.

White completed his hat-trick for Edinburgh in the second half, but it was Clydesdale who took the points with further goals from Lonergan, McFadden and Allan.

 

 

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