Showdown at Bellahouston

ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT NATIONAL LEAGUE  – 
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Glynhill Kelburne`s quest for their ninth consecutive
title will take a massive step forward if the champions can take
six points from their back to back  confrontations with Grange
and Inverleith at Bellahouston in the Aberdeen Asset Management
national league this weekend.

At present the Paisley outfit are three points behind Grange at
the top of the table, albeit with two games in hand, while
Inverleith promised a lot at the start of the season but are now
nine points adrift.   Despite this disparity, Kelburne
manager Harry Coles views the matches of equal importance to his
side`s aspirations.    

“We are well aware that both sides have several very good
individual players who are capable of inflicting some serious
damage if given the opportunity, so we will have to be at our best
for both games,”  said Coles.   “On paper, both
could be high scoring affairs, so it is very important to keep the
back door locked, whilst allowing our  frontmen the
opportunity to go and score goals, which hopefully can carry us to
victory,”

Despite Coles` prognostication, Grange look the more likely side
to upset the Kelburne applecart.   Last season the
champions won the opening fixture with some ease at 5-0, but the
return belonged to Grange with a 3-1 victory.   The cup
final between the two sides seemed to be heading for extra time
until a wonder goal by Alan Forsyth with two seconds remaining sent
the trophy finally to Whitehaugh.

Colin Clarke, Grange`s coach, has already identified the
greatest danger.   “Kelburne are an extremely strong
offensive team and can score goals throughout their team, we will
have to be defensively resolute if we are to win the game,”

It is not just Scotland striker Alan Forsyth, who has notched a
dozen goals in six league outings, but Jonny Christie and new
signing Ben Peterson are also rattling in the goals.

However, Grange have also been far from shy in front of goal, 37
goals in eight games is good shooting, with Cammie Fraser from open
play and Rob Barr from set pieces the main
sharpshooters.    But the Achilles` heel could be at
the back, Grange have conceded 21 goals so far this season, in
contrast to only six by Kelburne.

Grange`s Martin Kelly is unavailable for the crucial game and
there is also some doubt about the fitness of teenager Hamish
Imrie.  (Saturday @  Bellahouston at 13.30)

Stevie McCurry, Inverleith`s coach, is bemoaning his side`s
inconsistency this season, he watched his side put five past both
Western Wildcats and Watsonians, yet witnessed Grove Menzieshill
put seven past his defence and last weekend Edinburgh University
scored six.

Despite these failings, McCurry still believes his charges can
take something from the Kelburne encounter on Sunday.  
“We have a good squad that have worked very hard this season, we
have improved and built on last season.   However,
Kelburne are a very good side and we will need to be at our best if
we are to be successful.”

McCurry hopes to have the influential German Fabian Wolski back
after injury, but much may depend on how he stands up to training
this week.(Sunday @ Bellahouston at 12.00)

In the other fixtures, Grove Menzieshill could consolidate third
spot in the table with a win over AMN Hillhead.   The
Tayside renaissance continued last weekend with well-earned 4-2 win
over PSL Clydesdale, Gavin Tomlinson`s penalty corner hat-trick did
the main damage.   (Jordanhill School at
14.25)   Western Wildcats and Inverleith should confirm
their place in the top five with victories over
Watsonians   (Mary Erskine School at 13.00) and AAM
Gordonians  (Counteswells at 14.00) respectively on
Saturday.

The final fixture brings together Edinburgh University and
Clydesdale at Peffermill, the winner will probably have the
accolade of topping the relegation pool in the second half of the
season.   (Peffermill at 11.45)

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