Showdown at Perth

INDOOR NATIONAL LEAGUE  –  MEN        BELL`S SPORTS CENTRE IN PERTH

Grove Menzieshill are many peoples` favourites to take the men`s indoor first division title, but this weekend`s head to head with Inverleith could be the first real test of the Taysiders` resolve.    The teams share pole position after four games, but Menzieshill are well ahead on goal difference.

To date, the champions have had a fairly easy passage, full points with 57 goals for and only six against after four games, hardly a pressure situation.    Chris Anderson, Menzieshill`s coach, is not concerned about the players reaction to the threat from Inverleith.

“The players are well used to switching to games where they are under more pressure, such as Inverleith.    There is depth in the squad, and a collective desire to succeed and win the league title,” said Anderson.  

However, the Menzieshill coach did concede that Inverleith are a solid, organised outfit who also have a extensive squad.  

In reality, there was little between the sides last season, and the same could be the case on Saturday.   Both sides won one of the confrontations in the league programme and the Taysiders eventually took the title on the small margin of just two goals.   Meanwhile, Inverleith turned the tables in the knock-out cup by winning by the odd goal in 13 in the final.
 
Menzieshill have the more difficult assignment in the earlier two games against Glynhill Kelburne, third in the table, and city rivals Dundee Wanderers.   “Kelburne can be unpredictable and play some flowing hockey, against them we need to play our own game.   Wanderers are organised, and being a derby game, we need to ensure we maintain our discipline,” remarked Anderson.

The Dundonians will be along the usual lines, but new recruit Ross Stott could be out if the Great Britain outdoor camp goes ahead this weekend.

Meanwhile, Inverleith coach Stuart Neave is content to focus on all three matches on Saturday, rather than simply get carried away with the Menzieshill encounter.

“We have three very different matches on Saturday, and the challenge for us is to continue our unbeaten run.   While Menzieshill undoubtedly present the main challenge because of their continued consistency in performance, we must retain our focus in the games against Harris and Grange,” said Neave.

Like Menzieshill, Inverleith have had a fairly easy passage so far, only the Wildcats have caused some minor irritation by holding the Edinburgh side to a 3-3 draw at half-time, but Neave`s charges rose to the occasion and ran out 7-3 winners at the end.   The only change in the Inverleith line-up will see the return of striker Phil Hall, while German Fabian Wolski is still out with a broken finger sustained in the opening week of the indoor campaign.

Kelburne, Scotland`s outdoor champions for the last eight years, would appear to be the best of the rest, they are on the same points as Menzieshill and Inverleith, but with a game more played.   The Paisley outfit have used their unique individual flair to win their encounters with the lower teams in the division, but came seriously unstuck against Inverleith last week, losing 9-2 in the end.  

After their initial encounter with Menzieshill, Kelburne take on a Western Wildcats side that have certainly blown hot and cold in the league so far.   Another victory for the charismatic Paisley squad would almost  certainly secure third spot at the half-way stage in the competition.

The scramble for points at the lower end of the division should bring with it some hard-fought contests, especially as the number of teams for the drop has been increased from one to two this season.   Dundee Wanderers are best placed with six points already in the bag, and after their meeting with city rivals Menzieshill, they would be looking to increase their tally in their encounters with Wildcats and Grange.

It looks a cut-throat weekend for bottom sides Harris, Grange and PSL Clydesdale, they are separated by only three points and play each other for the valuable survival points.   Harris are worst place at the bottom with no points.   So were Clydesdale until the final game last weekend when the Titwood outfit surprisingly beat Western 5-2 to move off the bottom spot.  

Grange, in contrast, won their opening fixture 6-2 against Harris, but have failed to pick up a point since then.     Under coach David Knipe, the Edinburgh side have committed themselves to a youth policy with a view to the future, but going down a league was undoubtedly not on the agenda.      With relegation jitters in the offing, the games between Grange and Clydesdale, then Harris and Clydesdale, take on extra meaning

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