Grove Menzieshill still favourites at Titwood

It is five seasons since Milne Craig Clydesdale Western
had their hands on the Subway National League Championship, and if
the Glasgow side have any aspirations to end Grove Menzieshill`s
recent monopoly, they must take something from the weekend`s
head to head at Titwood.

Neil Menzies, Western`s coach, is under no illusions.  “I
think Grove clearly start the season firm favourites to win the
league, and I believe that we can close the gap on Grove, but we
will have to be at our very best to get a result out of the
game.”

Western have won the title a record 19 times since its inception
in 1983, but last season the Titwood squad fell from grace and
finished a lowly fourth in the table.  In addition, they have
lost their international striker Sam Judge to Edinburgh University
while Robyn Collins and Heather Howie have also moved away. 
On the plus side, goalkeeper Amy Gibson returns to action after
missing most of last season through injury.

“Clearly we have some key individuals in the squad, but our main
strength is when we pull together as a team,” said Menzies. 
“Our youngsters are a year older, more experienced and physically
fitter which is encouraging, but if we can put the defensive
frailties of last season behind us, then we can capitalise on our
attacking potential.”

Grove have also lost a couple of players, internationalists
Becky Merchant and striker Nikki Kidd are playing abroad, but new
captain Ailsa Wyllie is still confident of success.  
Last season`s results would support that, the Taysiders won the
opening fixture an astonishing 8-1 and then 4-0 in the return
game.

“You know that you are always turning up to play a hard game
when you have Western.  We would never underestimate their
ability and will prepare to play our game like we do every
week.   Our experience as a squad and key playmakers
within the team are our key strengths.” said Wyllie.

Menzies is convinced that Western have turned the corner and on
a good day his squad is capable of taking the points from Grove,
but his charges will certainly have to put the shackles on the
likes of Ali Bell, Linda Clement, Louise Carroll from the set
piece, and Wyllie herself if his boast can become reality.

VWS Dundee Wanderers, second in last season`s table, have yet to
set the heather on fire with a narrow 3-2 win over Western Wildcats
and a 2-2 draw with Glynhill Kelburne, but coach Iain Strachan will
be looking for a convincing victory over Grange to get his league
challenge firmly underway.  Strachan will have learned not to
take things for granted, last season Wanderers won the first
fixture with a convincing 4-0 scoreline, but despite a Vikki Bunce
hat-trick the Taysiders could only manage a 4-4 draw with the
Edinburgh side. 

Elsewhere the results are not so certain.  It could be a
close call between Kelburne and Giffnock at Bellahouston, although
last weekend four goals from Rhona Simpson and another two by
Kareena Marshall saw off GHK 6-1.  Edinburgh University open
their account against CALA Edinburgh and newly promoted GHK take on
Western Wildcats.

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