National League preview

Kelburne v Grange 3

The National League season gets underway this weekend and excitement has been buzzing away in Scotland’s hockey community. Both the men’s and women’s leagues are set to be competitive and it is expected that it will be a season that will excite and entertain hockey fans across Scotland.

It has been twelve seasons since any team other than Bromac Kelburne has lifted the men’s National League Division 1 trophy. Grange have been in there challenging and the Edinburgh side start off this season`s campaign with a home fixture against Gordonians. There has been change in the Grange ranks; gone are goalkeeper Sean Hadfield, Aussies Arin Doig and Todd Harmsworth along with Andrew Campbell and Michael Fenelon. Scotland international Duncan Riddell has returned to his Grange roots and some players have been promoted from the youth set-up.

The Grange coach David Knipe is not talking about league aspirations at this time, but simply said: “I think we will be highly competitive in every competition, I`m really looking forward to the season and watching the team develop.”

Edinburgh University could be dark horses for a top four spot at the end of the season. There is quality in the student ranks with four Scotland players – penalty corner expert Dan Coultas; Jamie Wong; Gordon Amour; and goalkeeper David Forrester who has returned to Edinburgh.

It is never easy for the University coach Graham Moodie with such a large turnover of players each season, this time he will be missing five, but former under-21 Ross Jamieson has returned. Edinburgh`s opening fixture is away to PSL Clydesdale at Titwood and Moodie is content to take it one step at a time. He said, “Our current target is to win our first match and we will look at overall goals for the season in October once we know exactly where we are as a squad.”

However, Moodie will be encouraged that his charges won the equivalent fixture last year 5-0, Coultas netting a hat-trick of set pieces.

Defending champions Kelburne start the quest for their 13th consecutive league title away to Hillhead and new coach Gordon Shepherd will be hoping to get off to a winning start. Other top four candidates Western Wildcats and Grove Menzieshill clash at Auchenhowie in a contest that many feel could go either way. Western Wildcats` coach Harry Dunlop viewed the start to this season`s first division campaign as testing, as after they take on last year`s runners-up Grove Menzieshill, they then face 12-times league winners Bromac Kelburne.

Once again Dunlop eyes a top four spot by the end of the season and a crack at the European play-offs. But Menzieshill will be a tough nut for Dunlop`s Wildcats – last season the Taysiders completed the double, 4-2 at Auchenhowie and 5-0 in the return. The Wildcats will be without arch-striker Scott McCartney, his lethal touch was so often a match winner in the past, and Scotland striker Luke Cranney who has signed for Grange.

Wildcats GHK Kaz Marshall

Sam Judge`s Edinburgh University begin the defence of the women`s National League Division 1 title with a home game against Kelburne at Peffermill. Although Judge has still to finalise her squad, definitely missing will be Great Britain player Sarah Robertson who is still on holiday.

As with the men there has been a considerable turnover in the ranks; gone is Scotland goalkeeper Nicki Cochrane and newly capped Scotland international Mairi Drummond, both have gone south, along with Louise Fleming. The latter has freed up what Judge has termed a “wildcard spot” in the squad, that place has now been given to Louise Campbell.

“It`s really important for us to get off to a winning start, just to build confidence in the squad and set the tone for the season,” said Judge. “I`m sure we can win, I`d be extremely disappointed if we didn`t beat Kelburne, especially as it`s at home.”

Judge has cited Grove and Milne Craig Western as the biggest threats to her aspirations, who play against Watsonians and Erskine Stewart`s Melville respectively. The other two games on the first day of National League will see CALA Edinburgh take on Hillhead and Dundee Wanderers play Western Wildcats.

The opening weekend of the National Leagues is sure to serve up some fantastic hockey, who will get off to a winning start?

 

 

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