National League Preview & Fixtures 01/10/2016

Grange coach David Knipe has a wealth of riches in his squad for this weekend`s top first division fixture against Grove Menzieshill on Tayside, but that can have its own issues.

 

The Edinburgh club have gone “down under” to sign Nathan Doherty and Dominic Wild, the latter has already made his mark with two set piece strikes in the 7-2 thumping of Gordonians two weeks ago.   In addition, Scotland players Luke Cranney and Duncan Riddell have been recruited along with under-18 captain James Nairn and Michael McKenzie.

“With so many new players it takes a little time to come together, but the team is working hard and it`s a nice challenge for us,” said Knipe.

 

However, Nairn is still under suspension while the influential Cammie Fraser is also unavailable.

Knipe admitted that Menzieshill will provide challenging opposition, they started the season well with a 4-2 win at Western Wildcats in their first outing.

 

But last season Grange made the same journey to Tayside to meet a Menzieshill side on the back of a seven game unbeaten run and returned to Edinburgh with the three points after a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

“The match will be very difficult and the outcome is not certain, Grange had an excellent first match result,” said Chris Anderson, Menzieshill`s coach.

The Dundonians will still be without Scotland player Gavin Byers after his time out in Australia, and also Euan Cuthill misses the match.

 

Champions Bromac Kelburne are in action against the Wildcats at Titwood, their final domestic outing before the first round of the EuroLeague next week.

 

The Paisley side also have foreigh inports in the shape of Ryan Holding (Australia) who played for Grange last season, Nick Finlayson (New Zealand) and Jonus Nostrumm (Germany).

 

Kelburne started the defence of their crown with a 4-2 win over Hillhead, leaving new coach Gordon Shepherd reasonably happy.

“We were very dominant but we didn`t take enough of our chances, so therefore the scoreline was closer than it should have been.   There`s still plenty to work on,” said Shepherd.

 

Edinburgh University`s top four aspirations are still in their infancy, but another three points today against Gordonians would augment the possibility.

 

Last weekend the students went to PSL Clydesdale and came away with a more than comfortable 5-1 victory, the fact that there were five different scorers is a sign of the strength in depth in the present Edinburgh side.

 

Watsonians, so often a yo-yo side in the top flight, have started this season with three points in a 3-2 win over Uddingston. It would be a real confidence boost if they could add another three with a home win over a Clydesdale side that could see their season in the lower echelons of the table.

 

You can also catch some top youth hockey at Glasgow National Hockey Centre with the Girls U16 and U18 Inter Districts taking place across the weekend.

Saturday 1 October 2016

Men’s National League Division 1

16:00 – Edinburgh University v AAM Gordonians @ Peffermill

13:00 – Grove Menzieshill v Grange @ DISC

13:00 – Bromac Kelburne v Western Wildcats @ Titwood

14:30 – Watsonians v PSL Clydesdale @ Peffermill

 

Men’s National League Division 2

13:30 – Dundee University v Granite City Wanderers @ Riverside Park

12:00 – Falkirk GHG v Alpha Data Carnegie @ Grangemouth High School

TBC – Glasgow University v Greenock Morton @ TBC

14:30 – Inverleith v St Andrews University @ Peffermill

11:00 – Stepps v Harris Academy FP @ Forthbank

 

Women’s National League Division 2

15:00 – Dundee University v George Heriots FP @ Riverside Park

 

Men’s National League Division 3

13:30 – Aberdeen GSFP v CALA Edinburgh @ Rubislaw

14:00 – FMGM Monarchs v ADTI Aberdeen University @ Dalnacraig

13:15 – Highland v Strathclyde University @ Bught Park

12:30 – Stirling University v Perthshire @ Gannochy Sports Centre (University)

 

Sunday 2 October 2016

Women’s National League Division 2

13:00 – Glasgow University v Stirling University @ Gannochy Sports Centre

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