Menzieshill hold most of the aces

SUBWAY INDOOR NATIONAL LEAGUE – BELLS SPORTS CENTRE,
PERTH

Inverleith are making a courageous effort to retain the
Subway indoor national league crown they won for the first time
last season, but rivals Grove Menzieshill hold most of the aces as
the competition reaches its denouement this
weekend. 

With two matches remaining, the Taysiders are three points in
front, consequently Inverleith must win the head to head against
Menzieshill in the final game to stand any chance of capturing the
title at the eleventh hour. 

Menzieshill may be five goals adrift of the Edinburgh side going
into Saturday`s proceedings, but the Dundonians first match is
against second bottom Greaves Clydesdale where a goal avalanche is
a distinct possibility.  Meanwhile, Inverleith take on local
rivals Grange who lie third in the table, any dropped points here
would be terminal.

The Grange game is Stuart Neave`s first hurdle.   The
Inverleith coach said: “Our initial focus will be on Grange, given
that they ran us close in the first game of the season and were
unfortunate not to take something from the game.  However,
both teams have improved since then.”

Neave has grounds for concern, his charges only beat Grange 5-4
in a tense contest.  Inverleith were four up early in the
second half and cruising, but the spirited Grange comeback centred
on Gary Cameron, he notched a hat-trick but then missed from the
spot with four minutes left, only for time to run out his
side.  But Grange`s downfall that day rested with missed
penalty corners, in total they had a dozen and scored from only
two.

Even if Inverleith can see off Grange, they must take the three
points from Menzieshill to have any chance, and Neave concedes that
the Taysiders have the advantage with the three point
cushion.  The first game between the sides was tight, it was
one each at the interval with Michael Ross and Chris Duncan
exchanging goals from the spot.  The winner came three minutes
into the second half with a piece of individual skill from
Menziehill striker Chris Wilson for a 2-1 win.

But Neave is his usual relaxed self: “It would provide an
exciting climax to the season if both teams were playing for the
league title in the final game of the season.”

Bruce Cuthill, Menzieshill`s coach, is a seasoned campaigner and
will ensure that his squad finish the season with a perfect record
and collect their 18th league crown.  The Taysiders have the
advantage of being in charge of their own destiny, a win against
Clydesdale followed by a draw or victory over Inverleith will bring
the championship back to Dundee.

“We expected Inverleith to catch up with us, but we`ve beaten
them already this season, and we`re confident we can do it again
and take the title,” said Cuthill.   “Our strengths are
definitely our experience, all the team have played in important
games at home and abroad, and they know what it takes to win
titles.”

It could be close at the end of the day, but Cuthill`s charges
just have the edge to win this year`s championship.

The relegation issue is well and truly settled, CALA Edinburgh
return to the second division having only amassed a single point in
the top flight.

There are four places up for grabs in next weekend`s knock-out
cup – Menzieshill, Inverleith and Grange are already there, the
final spot is almost certain to be a contest between Western
Wildcats and VWS Dundee Wanderers.   The two sides clash
in their second game of the day, and Wanderers won the first game
4-2.  But it could all be academic if the Wildcats rip CALA
apart in an earlier game and the Dundonians struggle to see off the
unpredictable Glynhill Kelburne.

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