National League preview

Wildcats GHK Kaz Marshall

Women’s National League Division 1 has some tasty ties scheduled for this weekend following some red-hot results in the opening weekend fixtures last week.

There’s talk of a new force emerging in the women`s top flight; Western Wildcats under the eye of player/coach Kaz Marshall have already seen off Dundee Wanderers in their first outing and hope to strike again against champions Edinburgh University at Auchenhowie.

Marshall is very upbeat of the chances of an upset, saying: “We have nothing to lose against University and every season we go out to match their level of play and challenge ourselves to compete with the Scottish champions. I have no doubt that our squad has the ability to beat Edinburgh.”

Marshall has a full squad to call on and also has the benefit of a few new faces in the ranks. She added: “For the first time we have depth in our squad, which is testimony to how Wildcats have developed over the past few years. This is creating competition within the squad, and along with a great work ethic and positive attitude, we are certainly the team to watch.”

Edinburgh opened the season with a comfortable 4-0 win over Bromac Kelburne and visit the home of the Wildcats missing Scotland players Maisie Morris, Becky Merchant and Amy Brodie. But University still have plenty of firepower to call upon; Player/coach Sam Judge herself is still sharp in the circle, Great Britain and Scotland striker Sarah Robertson will make her first appearance of the season, while Becky Dru is capable of bagging goals from penalty corners.

Judge is under no illusions on the task ahead. She said: “Wildcats is always quite a tough game for us especially away from home. The loss of some important players will make the game even harder for us.”

The other title aspirants will certainly stand up and take notice if the Wildcats can take something from this encounter.

Elsewhere, it could be an equally challenging afternoon for the other Edinburgh sides in the league; Erskine Stewart`s Melville and CALA will have their work cut out to take anything from their confrontations with Grove Menzieshill and Dundee Wanderers respectively. Wanderers will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Wildcats while Grove Menzieshill scored four in their opening fixture.

Watsonians, who only lost by the odd goal in seven in that game against Grove Menzieshill after a spirited comeback, will carry confidence into their game against Kelburne who were defeated in the 4-0 win for Edinburgh University last week. Kelburne will be hoping to make home advantage count as they go toe-to-toe with their visitors on Saturday.

Newly promoted Hillhead, who started their campaign with an excellent 4-1 win over CALA, may find a Milne Craig Western side that piled in eight goals last weekend against Erskine a tough nut to crack. The impressive goal scoring feat turned heads last week but Hillhead also showed they’re capable of racking up the goals. This one could be a high scoring affair at Old Anniesland.

With no fixtures scheduled for Men’s National League Division 1 the top level focus falls exclusively on the women’s game. If week two is anything like week one we can expect some goals, drama, and top class hockey in Women’s National League 1 this weekend. Get along to a game to catch the action.

 

15:30 – Bromac Kelburne v Watsonians @ Auchenhowie

15:30 – Dundee Wanderers v CALA Edinburgh @ Dalnacraig

14:30 – Erskine Stewarts Melville FP v Grove Menzieshill @ Peffermill

16:30 – Hillhead v Milne Craig Clydesdale Western @ Old Anniesland

14:00 – Western Wildcats v Edinburgh University @ Auchenhowie

 

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