Inverleith`s perfect start at stake

Inverleith`s perfect record in the Subway national
league will again be under scrutiny when Western Wildcats come
calling to Peffermill this weekend.

After beating Grange 2-1 last weekend, unbeaten Inverleith moved
to within three points of leaders Glynhill Kelburne, but with a
game in hand against bottom side VWS Dundee Wanderers.

“Last weekend against Grange was a big game for us and taking
all three points was a great step forward,” said Stevie McCurry,
Inverleith`s coach.

There must always be a concern for Inverleith that a perfect
record brings with it additional pressure as the winning sequence
continues.   McCurry said: “Every game is difficult this
season and we try to approach it in the same positive manner and
take nothing for granted.”

McCurry is well aware of the potential threat posed by the
Wildcats.   “By their own standards, they have had a
mixed start to the season, but Western are still a very good side
and Saturday will be a very tough game for us.”

The Wildcats have been rather inconsistent this season, but
coach Vishal Marwaha remains upbeat.  “I have confidence in
every game we go into, with the group of players we have, we can
cause any team problems.

“I know it`s going to be a difficult game for us, Inverleith
have been playing well, they are on a great run, and have a number
of current international players. I think we can take a lot from
our performance against Clydesdale last weekend, and the challenge
for us is to repeat that.”

Marwaha regarded the 3-2 win over Greaves Clydesdale as a great
team performance, and could be seen as a springboard to a better
run of form.  In the opening fixture last season Inverleith
fell victim to the striking prowess of Scott McCartney and Douglas
Simpson in a 7-1 win, but the Edinburgh side recovered to take the
return game 2-1, John Harris and Adam McKenzie from a penalty
corner were the scorers.   (11.30hrs at Peffermill)

Leaders Kelburne should continue their goal scoring bandwagon
against an Edinburgh University side that have done well in their
opening encounters to reach fourth place.  The students have
only lost one game, 2-1 to Grange, but will do well to restrict the
free-scoring Paisley front line which has notched up a total of 46
goals in six games already.  Kelburne`s avalanche of goals can
come from a variety of players, but  Alan Forsyth is
consistently on target with an average of two a game.

“Yes, at the moment we have had a few big scores, but I think
the moment you start to take anything for granted is the time you
are likely to fall flat on your face,” said Harry Coles, Kelburne`s
manager.  “Edinburgh University have made a pretty good start
to the season, and we will certainly have to maintain the standards
we have set thus far in the title race to ensure another three
points.”   (13.30hrs at Bellahouston)

After dropping five points in the last two weeks, Grange will be
keen to get back on the rails with a convincing win over city
rivals CALA Edinburgh at Peffermill.  The two sides met
recently in the cup and Grange emerged 4-2 winners, captain Rob
Barr will settle for some of the same.

CALA have quietly moved into sixth position in the table, but
last weekend they were on the wrong end of a nine goal defeat at
the hands of Kelburne, it will be interesting to see if coach Neil
Allan can restore his young charges` confidence.  (14.45hrs at
Peffermill)

AMN Hillhead broke their duck with a comfortable 4-1 win over
VWS Dundee Wanderers last weekend, another three points against
Grove Menzieshill would ease any relegation concerns for coach
Keith Joss.  The Taysiders are a bit of an enigma outfit, last
season they finished a very creditable third in the table, but now
they are second from bottom with only two points to show for their
opening six games.  Menzieshill`s present low position in the
league may prove to be a false one at the end of the day, but it is
in defence that the problem appears to lie, the loss of 26 goals is
the proof of the failing.  (14.25hrs at Jordanhill School)

Clydesdale are another side in the doldrums, they also have yet
to record a win.  The visit of bottom side VWS Dundee
Wanderers to Titwood may rectify the situation, as it did last
season when the Taysiders left Glasgow on the wrong end of a 10-1
thrashing, that day Ciaran Crawford notched four and Raymond
Wrightson scored a hat-trick.   Given that Wanderers only
picked up their first point last week in a goalless draw with
Edinburgh University, Clydesdale coach Gordon Shepherd will see
this encounter as a must-win occasion to relieve the mounting
pressure at Titwood.

There are no women`s Division 1 fixtures this weekend due to
Scotland under 21`s three uncapped games against England at
Lilleshall.   The Scots are preparing for the European
under 21 Nations Championships 11 in Anapa, Russia from July 15 to
21 where they are drawn against Russia, Czech Republic and Wales in
the pool part of the competition.

The Scots youngsters were relegated from the elite top eight in
Bra, Italy last year, despite beating France 3-0 in the final
game.  England will certainly be a tall order as they won
silver in the sane tournament, but by their very nature junior
sides vary enormously from one tournament to another.

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