Kelburne wary of the Hill

There are three teams in the Subway national league with
perfect records so far – Glynhill Kelburne, Grange and Inverleith –
and at the end of this weekend there should be no change to that
scenario.

Yet Kelburne might approach their home tussle with Grove
Menzieshill with some trepidation.  Last season the Taysiders
were the only side to lower the Paisley colours in the league, with
a single goal by Gavin Tomlinson from a penalty corner separated
the sides that day.

“Over the years Menzieshill have proved a bit of a tricky
fixture for us, as was the case last season when we lost to
them.  I`m sure the guys will have that at the back of their
minds going into this game and be firmly focussed on the job in
hand, securing another three points,” said Harry Coles, Kelburne`s
manager.

Normal service was resumed in the return fixture when the
champions won 6-3 on Tayside.  And this season has been a slow
start for the Dundonians, two 3-3 draws against Western Wildcats
and CALA Edinburgh have produced the only points.

In contrast, Kelburne have once again swept all before them,
four straight wins, plenty of goals culminating in the 12-2 defeat
of Greaves Clydesdale last weekend.  The Menzieshill defence
will certainly have to be on top form to cope with the striking
prowess of Michael and Jonny Christie, Alan Forsyth, Chris Nelson
and the set piece expertise of player/coach Mark Ralph.

“So far, so good in terms of a 100% record, but there is a long
way to go, and it looks like we will have a pretty serious
challenge from both Grange and Inverleith, so full points on
Saturday is crucial to maintain the pressure on the others,” said
Coles.

New Zealander Steven Crossett returns to the Paisley squad, but
internationalist Gareth Hall is an injury doubt for this
weekend.  (13.30hrs at Bellahouston)

Grange are now neck and neck with Kelburne at the top and they
travel to Titwood to face a Clydesdale side that have become an
enigma to coach Gordon Shepherd.  Third in the league two
years ago with the clear potential to do even better, but the
wheels have come off and the Glasgow side find themselves in third
bottom spot.

But Rob Barr, Grange`s captain, is not sucked in by the Titwood
outfit`s apparent loss of form.

“We have done well to win our opening four games given that we
haven`t really played well yet this season, winning ugly is a good
trait to have,” said Barr.

“Although Clydesdale have had an indifferent start to the
season, they are a strong team and we haven`t beaten them in the
last two attempts, so we fully expect a very tough game.”

There is a precedent for Barr`s caution, towards the end of last
season Grange visited the same venue as firm favourites, and left
on the wrong end of a 3-2 score against an under-strength home
squad, with Raymond Wrightson, Adam Bain and the veteran Alistair
Bleach getting the goals.

In a double header last weekend Grange saw off Western Wildcats,
then struggled a little to overcome Edinburgh University by only
2-1.

“We had to work hard to take the three points off Edinburgh, but
that was crucial as we can`t afford to drop many points if we want
to win the league.   I think the league is a lot more
competitive this season, the results have shown games are not
predictable and there are a lot of teams who can take points off
each other.”

Grange will still be without the injured pair of Martin
Johnstone and Andrew Brogdon, both have hand injuries. 
(11.30hrs at Titwood)

On paper, unbeaten Inverleith would also seem to have a
relatively simple task against AMN Hillhead who have only picked up
one point in their opening four encounters.  But that is not
how Stephen McCurry, Inverleith`s coach, sees the occasion.

“Hillhead are a good side well coached by Keith Joss and
finished above us last season, therefore this will be a very hard
game for us.”  (14.25hrs at Jordanhill School)

Newly promoted CALA`s mid-table status could receive a boost if
the Edinburgh side can add to VWS Dundee Wanderers` woes with an
away result on Tayside.  But again, caution is in the
wind.

“I think it would be foolish to assume that Wanderers are bottom
of the league with no points, and that we will just turn up and
win,” said Neil Allan, CALA`s coach.

“I do feel we have a lot of firepower and if we play to our
potential, I think we can pose a lot of questions to the Wanderers`
defence. and return to Edinburgh with all three points.”

Allan expressed a degree of disappointment, he admitted that he
had targeted seven points from the opening four games, but his
charges have only managed four.

“Against Menzieshill last week our performance dipped and we
came away with a point in a 3-3 draw which was a reasonable result
at the end.”  (12.00hrs at Riverside Park)

In the remaining fixture, Edinburgh University are at home to a
Western Wildcats side that are still licking their wounds from two
rather hefty reversals against Kelburne and Grange, and the
students could be on the wrong end of a backlash.   The
students easily disposed of Hillhead 3-0 last Saturday, but Scott
McCartney and Douglas Simpson have failed to find the net in their
last two outings, that could be ominous.  (13.15hrs at
Peffermill)

In women’s division one, it is ominous that Grove Menzieshill have
already opened up a five point gap over rivals VWS Dundee Wanderers
and Giffnock at the top , and they have played all their five game
away due to relaying the new pitch at DISC.   Grove are
the epitome of consistency, five straight wins, 28 goals scored and
only two conceded.

Although the Edinburgh University renaissance under new
player-coach Sam Judge has propelled them up to a creditable sixth
place in the table, it is unlikely the students will put any sort
of dent in the Grove bandwagon this weekend.  (15.00hrs at
Peffermill)

Meanwhile the chasing pack have dropped points along the line,
Giffnock fell 4-1 to Grove while VWS Dundee Wanderers lost 3-2 to
Milne Craig Clydesdale Western last Saturday.  However, both
should pick up all three points this weekend, Wanderers are away to
a GHK side that have not won since the opening game of the
season  (15.00hrs at Old Anniesland), while Giffnock entertain
Western Wildcats who have taken up a middle of the table position.
(14.00hrs at Hutchesons` GS)

Western`s fortunes seem to have turned the corner with recent
victories over Edinburgh University (2-0) and Wanderers (3-2), but
coach Neil Menzies has argued that his charges are still capable of
taking more of their scoring chances.  Bottom side Grange at
Titwood could well provide that opportunity, their only point came
from a goalless draw with the Wildcats   (16.00hrs at
Titwood)

Kelburne`s clash with CALA Edinburgh could be the closest
contest of the day, both recorded their first three points of the
season last weekend, the Paisley outfit beat Edinburgh University
1-0 while CALA saw off Wildcats 2-0, Amy Brodie getting both. 
(13.30hrs at Bellahouston)

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top