League and cup weekend of much promise

10th November 2016

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Grange is the only unbeaten side in Men’s National League 1 after six games, and they have already crossed swords with other top sides Bromac Kelburne and Grove Menzieshill, but this weekend the opposition is their bogey side Edinburgh University in a Capital derby.

On paper Grange look very strong; the students are six points behind and last weekend dropped to fourth place in the table after going down 3-0 to Hillhead.

David Knipe, Grange`s coach, knows the danger of Edinburgh University. He explained: “From our results against Edinburgh University last season we know how difficult a match this is, but we always look forward to the game and to see what we can do. With both teams fighting for the play-offs, I think anything can happen in this game.”

Knipe has grounds for pessimism, last season the students completed the double over Grange with 2-1 and 3-2 victories. Over the last few seasons Grange`s downfall has been a lack of consistency caused by occasional lapses in performance, but now Knipe seems to have solved that shortcoming.

Also, Grange are scoring goals, 28 is leading the first division with new signing Luke Cranney, Cammie Fraser and Frank Ryan among the main contributors.

However, both sides will be looking to progress in Sunday`s quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup, Grange face a PSL Clydesdale side they have already beaten 7-2 in the league while the Edinburgh students are at home to Dundee Wanderers from the second division.

Kelb v Grange 2 Men’s champions Bromac Kelburne will be waiting in the wings hoping for a Grange slip-up, they are away to Uddingston Riva and a repeat of the 6-2 cup result would suit the 12-times league champions.

Hillhead is experiencing a renaissance under new coach Mark Ralph and could move into the top four for the first time this season if they can take the three points from their visit to a Gordonians side that have yet to pick up a point in the campaign.

But Ralph said: “Gordonians are always a tough game, especially in Aberdeen. They have a good squad and have scored goals in every league game, so they carry a threat going forward.”

Ralph expressed satisfaction with last weekend`s 3-0 win over Edinburgh University. “I thought we played well against Edinburgh, we managed to put them under pressure and take our chances.”

But Hillhead`s progress into the top four will only happen if Edinburgh lose to Grange.

After a sensational start to their league campaign, newly promoted Watsonians have returned to earth with three consecutive defeats, next they face a youthful Western Wildcats side at Auchenhowie determined to reverse the recent trend.

The other cup quarter-finals see third division FMGM Monarchs trying to upset holders Kelburne on Tayside while in Aberdeen, Granite City Wanderers from the second division will do well to get much change out of a Grove Menzieshill side that sit third in the top flight.

The game of the day in the women`s league is the Dundee derby between Grove and Dundee Wanderers. The former have won all their games so far, but need the three points to remain level with leaders Milne Craig Clydesdale Western.

In contrast Wanderers, who finished third in the table last season, have had an indifferent start to the season with eight points already gone with five games played. But it is a local derby and form guides are not always reliable in these circumstances, who knows which way this one could go?

Western will be hoping to maintain their impressive early form by seeing off Kelburne and finishing the weekend still top of the pile. Kelburne are currently eight points behind their opposition but a win could take them into the top five.

Champions Edinburgh University are back in third place having dropped five points to date but will be hoping to bag a few more points against second bottom Hillhead. Hillhead will be looking to use home advantage however to add to the three points they have already earned at this stage.

Western v Dundee W 2016

CALA seem locked in to bottom spot without a point and they face a difficult task this weekend against a Western Wildcats` side determined to hold on to their top four place.

Erskine Stewart`s Melville and Watsonians clash at Peffermill, the winner here will emerge from the relegation zone.

Sunday`s top cup match brings together Grove and Wildcats; not easy to predict as the Taysiders only won the league outing 4-3 two weeks ago.

Another close affair could be between Kelburne and Wanderers, both sit on seven points in the league but the Taysiders have Vikki Bunce in their arsenal.

Elsewhere Western and Edinburgh University will be aiming to be in the hat for the semi-finals after seeing off Grange, the only team from the lower tier to still be in the competition, and Hillhead respectively.

League and cup weekend of much promise

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