Showdown for Presidents Cup final places

The showdown for places in the final of this year`s
Presidents Cup reaches its climax this weekend, in pool A Western
Wildcats, Inverleith and Grove Menzieshill are all in contention,
while in the other group Edinburgh University have suddenly emerged
as favourites.

Inverleith have their destiny in their own hands, full points
against Wildcats on Saturday and Menzieshill the following day
would secure that final place for Stephen McCurry`s charges.

“Although our main focus is the national league, we will
certainly be trying our best to reach the final.  Both games
are against very good sides and we had some very close games
against them last season,” said McCurry.

Last year`s results in the Aberdeen Asset Management national
league were a bit up and down for the Edinburgh side, they lost
both games against the Wildcats 3-2 and 5-2, but beat Menzieshill
4-0 in the opening fixture and drew the return 3-3 on Tayside.

McCurry has some selection issues, international defender Adam
McKenzie is certainly out through injury and there is doubt about
the fitness of Andrew Sinclair, Paul Ritchie and Tom
Barton.   However, Dave Forrester, signed in the close
season from Edinburgh University, will make his debut between the
posts in both games.

It seems that the Wildcats are up for the occasion.  “The
Presidents Cup is an important tournament to Western, and like all
competitions we want to perform well and win,” said Vishal Marwaha,
Wildcats` coach.

“We beat Inverleith twice last year and go into the game with
confidence.  However, we know that both games were close and
that we will have to perform well to get a positive result.”

Certainly the Inverleith defence will have to get to grips with
striker Scott McCartney, he is on fire at the moment with ten goals
in the three games so far.
Western will be missing defenders Euan Miller and Andrew Sewnauth
through injury, and also Ian Moodie who is on Scotland duty,
otherwise Marwaha will have a full squad to pick from.

Menzieshill on Sunday will be no push-over either for
Inverleith, the Taysiders have an ethos of grit and determination
under new coach Chris Anderson.   The way the Dundonians
fought back to steal a 3-3 draw against the Wildcats at Auchenhowie
a fortnight ago is proof of their metal.   They also have
the added asset of set piece expert Gavin Tomlinson, he notched a
hat-trick in the Western encounter.

The destiny of pool B was effectively opened up when Edinburgh
University produced an unexpected 2-1 victory over Grange in
midweek.   Prior to that, Grange looked to be running
away with the group, but now the students can grasp pole position
if they can take the three points from AMN Hillhead in the final
game on Saturday.  Grange still lead the pool by two points
from Edinburgh, but have finished their programme.

And the omens are good for the students, they beat the Glasgow
side 3-0 in the opening game, although were held to a 0-0 draw in
the return.    Also, Hillhead are out of the running
with only a single point, and may have their sights more on the
start of the Aberdeen Asset Management national league the
following week.

In the other game newly promoted Watsonians and AAM Gordonians
have a chance to pick up their first points of the season in a game
that does not affect the pool qualification.

With the women`s Peregrines Cup already decided, old rivals
Grove Menzieshill and Milne Craig Western will compete in the final
without their international players next Sunday, the focus this
weekend is on Peffermill where the under 16 and under 18
inter-districts tournament are in full swing.

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