Testing weekend at the top of National League 1

It is due to be a testing weekend for the sides at the apex of National League 1, Bromac Kelburne travel to Fettes to take on rivals Grange in the men`s competition while Wildcats venture to Titwood for a similar appointment against Milne Craig Clydesdale Western in the women`s.

There is a three-way tie at the top of the men`s National League 1 involving champions Bromac Kelburne, Western Wildcats and Grange, but that is unlikely to survive this weekend`s confrontations.

Grange entertain Kelburne at Fettes while Harry Dunlop`s Wildcats travel across Glasgow to take on a Clydesdale outfit that have won their last three league fixtures.

Pundits have frequently foreseen the demise of the Kelburne hegemony, but 13 years on the Paisley side are still at the top, although over the years Grange have come the closest to breaking the monopoly.

There is still a lot of water to flow under the bridge until the final denouement – only five games have been played – yet a Grange victory on Saturday would certainly give the Edinburgh side a prod in the right direction. This time last year Grange did just that with a 2-1 victory at Fettes, but yet they fell at the final hurdle.

Grange play Kelburne this weekend.
Photo by Duncan Gray

However, it would appear that the champions have found a piece of true form, according to coach Gordon Shepherd after last weekend`s 6-1 win over Dundee Wanderers.

“I was extremely pleased with our domination of Wanderers on Saturday past and for the first time this season we really clicked and created many chances, and it really should have been double the score. What was even more pleasing was that we did this with five players missing.”

The importance of Kelburne`s renowned goal-scoring exploits – they have found the net 22 time in their five games – is not the issue for Shepherd.

“So firepower is not the issue…it’s the all round game that matters. We will have to defend well against Grange.

“They are a good team and desperate to not be the ‘nearly’ team again so they will be focused and dangerous. We respect them and we are all looking forward to the game.”

This is not an easy one to predict, there is likely to be little in it at the end of the contest, it will undoubtedly come down to the better, or luckier, team on the day.

Kelburne have a big game this weekend.
Photo by Mark Pugh

There is a new spring to the Western Wildcats` step, last weekend they were twice behind in the second half against Grange, but refused to be tamed and finished with a well-earned 3-3 draw.

Over the last three games the Wildcats goal machine has amassed 14 goals with developing striker Andrew McConnell claiming five of them.

However, after losing fairly heavily to Grange and Kelburne in their opening fixtures of the season Clydesdale, under new coach Callum McLeod, have galloped into the top four with victories over Edinburgh University, Uddingston and last weekend Inverleith.

“We had a tough start to the season which I think has prepared us well for the last three games.

“Given Western’s results we will have to step up our game again and be more clinical in the circle whilst keeping things much tighter defensively, if we are to get a result. The players have given 100% in every game so far and I’m sure Saturday will be no different.”

The Titwood outfit certainly have players who can find the net, the likes of Ciaran Crawford who has moved back to Clydesdale after a couple of seasons with Grove Menzieshill, Chris McFadden from penalty corners and youngster Struan Walker.

The Titwood confrontation could be an intriguing contest and Wildcats may not have it all their own way, especially with the vociferous home support.

Elsewhere, Grove Menzieshill will move back into the top four if they can inflict another defeat on Inverleith, and if Clydesdale falter.

Edinburgh University may now be finding a bit of form if their 5-1 win over Hillhead last weekend is anything to go by, that could be bad news for a Dundee Wanderers outfit with only a single win out of five appearances.

If Hillhead are to move off the bottom reaches of the league, then three points from their home game with Uddingston will be the start coach Mark Ralph is looking for.

The safe money might be on the National League 1 sides winning through Sunday`s second round of the Scottish Cup, but there are two all top flight clashes. League form would suggest that Grove Menzieshill may feel confident to see off Uddingston on Tayside and Wildcats do likewise against Hillhead, but the one-off cup tie is a leveller and matches are up for grabs. These matches could go either way.

Western Wildcats play Clydesdale Western this weekend.
Photo by Duncan Gray

Kaz Cuthbert`s Western Wildcats pack have their first real test of the Women`s National League 1 campaign when they travel to Titwood to face Milne Craig Clydesdale Western.

The Wildcats are purring along nicely, they are in pole position in the table with five wins in as many outings.

Cuthbert has the low down: “The perfect record comes down to a very solid defensive base that won`t be easily broken.

“We have a very determined squad of girls who are continuing to create numerous opportunities which allow us to score the goals.”

There is no doubting Cuthbert`s boast regarding the rear guard, keeper Danni McMurray has only picked the ball out of the net twice in the five league games to date.

However, Western are traditionally one of the top teams in the land, so in many respects Saturday`s contest is the first real test of the Wildcats` resolve.

Wildcats certainly knocked Western out of the Scottish Cup earlier in the season, but that was at Auchenhowie and following a penalty shoot-out, the result in normal time was 1-1, so Cuthbert`s charges will have to go one better if they hope to take the three points.

Wildcats` player/coach is far from fazed by the Titwood occasion. “We take one game at a time, so we will approach Saturday as we have done every other game, confident in our game plan and knowing we have the ability to beat anybody.”

Western have slipped a little from grace recently, a seven-goal thumping by Edinburgh University was followed by a 1-1 draw at home to Watsonians, the result is that Derek Forsyth`s talented squad have fallen out of the top four.

Perhaps these setbacks might just be the tonic needed to get the Titwood-based club back on the rails – something that Cuthbert will be aware of.

The other game of the day sees champions Edinburgh University make the trip to Tayside to take on fourth-placed Dundee Wanderers. The latter`s form against the better teams in the division is a little variable, a 3-3 draw with Grove Menzieshill on the opening day was a good result, but they were outmatched for much of their confrontation with Wildcats and fell 2-1 in the end.

Wanderers host Edinburgh Uni this weekend.
Photo by Duncan Gray

Despite losing to Grove Menzieshill a few weeks ago, the Edinburgh students are still very much in with a shout of retaining their crown, but they do need to take the three points from their visit to Tayside.

Sam Judge`s squad have notched up 24 goals in their five league games with Laura Swanson, Sophie Maunder, Hanna McKie and others showing a lethal touch in the circle.

But it is Grove Menzieshill`s Scotland striker Sarah Jamieson who is demonstrating her prowess in front of goal – ten strikes in five games is excellent shooting – she will be missing at Watsonians as she’s on international duty.

The Edinburgh side have already made their mark this season, none more so than last weekend with a 1-1 draw with Western, and they could give second placed Grove Menzieshill a run for their money.

The bottom four sides all play each other – Hillhead take on GHK while Grange are at home to Kelburne – so a couple of teams could start to emerge out of the relegation zone.

Top flight sides Wildcats, Edinburgh University and Dundee Wanderers will be looking to see themselves safely through to the third round of the Scottish Cup, but Grove Menzieshill and Hillhead might have an interesting time on Sunday.

Grove Menzieshill are away to Watsonians for the second time over the weekend – perhaps not so easy to secure back-to-back league and cup results.

Hillhead, in the lower reaches of the first division, entertain Merlins Gordonians from the top of the second, always an intriguing affair.

 

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