Win ethic for Grange

A win ethic is the secret behind winning championships and
Grange will be tested in that department when they face Western
Wildcats in the Subway national league at Peffermill.

“Our aim is to close the gap on Kelburne who are the side I
think we need to finish ahead of to win the league title,” said Rob
Barr, Grange captain.   That means not dropping points
against sides like Western, like last season when both matches
ended in draws, consequently four points went down the drain.

No such problem for Kelburne, they defeated the Wildcats 7-1 a
fortnight ago to maintain their pole position.  But the
Wildcats are not for lying down against Grange this weekend. 
“It is always a tough game against Grange and this weekend will be
no different.  But I believe the squad has the ability to
cause any team problems and we are looking forward to putting the
Kelburne game behind us,” said Vishal Marwaha, the Wildcats`
coach.  (11.45hrs at Peffermill)

Three points against Western on Saturday and the same again from
the catch-up fixture with Edinburgh University the following day
would allow Grange to move alongside Kelburne and Inverleith at the
top of the table.  (13.00hrs at Peffermill)

On paper, Inverleith are firm favourites to hold on to their
second spot in the table with a comfortable afternoon against
bottom side VWS Dundee Wanderers.  To date the Edinburgh side
have seen off CALA, Clydesdale and Menzieshill, the last two
without conceding a goal, and are only behind leaders Glynhill
Kelburne on goal difference.

“Taking a full squad to Ireland for the Cookstown tournament has
allowed us to hit the ground running at the start of the season,
our performances and results have reflected this,” said Stephen
McCurry, Inverleith`s coach.  

But McCurry senses a potential problem.  “All teams in
division one are good sides, and as a coach you cannot become
complacent in any games at this level.  Saturday`s game
against Wanderers will be a very hard game for us.”

That said, the Dundonians have not shown any form as yet, 5-0
and 7-1 defeats at the hands of Kelburne and Grange respectively is
certainly not a good  beginning to the season.  (13.15hrs
at Peffermill)

Again champions Glynhill Kelburne should have no fears from the
visit of Greaves Clydesdale.  It is some time since the
Titwood side have taken something from a Kelburne encounter, last
season they lost 9-2 and 4-2.   Gordon Shepherd`s young
charges have been a source of frustration with an indifferent start
to this year`s campaign by taking only two points from the opening
three encounters.   (13.30hrs at Bellahouston)

A fortnight ago newly promoted CALA Edinburgh broke their duck
with a 3-2 away win at Hillhead, now coach Neil Allan wants to
build on that breakthrough.   “The guys finally got the
reward their efforts deserved at Hillhead.  We worked hard and
dominated for 55 minutes, then we let them back into the game and
made things difficult for ourselves.  We need to be sure we
finish off teams and make more of the chances we create.”

On Saturday, CALA entertain a Grove Menzieshill side that are
far better than their present second bottom spot.  
“Menzieshill are a well organised and disciplined team, but if we
play to our potential, then we have a good chance of taking all
three points,” said Allan.  “But they offer a potent threat
from Gavin Tomlinson at penalty corners and they also carry threats
all over the pitch, particularly through Gavin Byers in
midfield.”

This will be Menzieshill`s third visit in a row to the Capital,
previously they lost to both Grange and Inverleith, Allan will be
hoping to make it a hat-trick of disappointments.  
(!5.30hrs at Meggetland)

Fresh from their opening 2-2 draw with Clydesdale, Edinburgh
University will hope to go one better at home against a AMN
Hillhead side that have only a single point from their three games
so far.   This could be a close one with a share of the
points a very real possibility.   (13.15hrs at
Peffermill)

 

Milne Craig Western youngsters have shown a lot of promise over
the past couple of years, but Neil Menzies` charges need to start
stringing together a couple of results against the better sides to
start fulfilling that potential, and this weekend`s opponents VWS
Dundee Wanderers would be the ideal start.

Menzies` target of a runners-up spot has taken a slight dent
with back to back defeats at the hands of Grove Menzieshill and
Giffnock, another reversal at the hands of Wanderers would be a
real kick in the teeth. 

“I am pleased with many aspects of our play, but clearly there
is still work to be done, and mistakes cost us against Giffnock
last Saturday,” said Menzies.  “Wanderers will be a difficult
game for us, these days they are a confident side and have players
who know their way to goal.  But if we can be a little tidier
in defence and a bit more composed in attack, then we can certainly
win.”

Wanderers were the dominant force last season with 3-1 and 4-0
victories, and this year the Taysiders are beginning to find some
scoring form after a slight stutter in the opening games. 
Goals are emanating  from the likes of Heather Elder, six
goals so far after four games, new recruit Fiona Plain and Julie
Bryce, but Wanderers have yet to be tested against one of the top
sides.

“I believe we should beat Western and have in recent seasons
begun to do so, but it is still Western with a strong mindset and a
tradition of winning, so we will have to play well,” said Iain
Strachan, Wanderers` coach.   (14.30hrs at Titwood)

Newly promoted GHK have a very tough assignment ahead when they
travel to Tayside to take on league leaders Grove.  After
winning their opening game against Kelburne, the Glasgow side have
fallen to three straight defeats.  On the other hand, Grove
have swept aside the opposition so far and amassed 23 goals in the
process.  (15.00hrs at Old Anniesland)

After their fighting 4-3 victory over Western last weekend,
Giffnock must be favourites to hold on to third spot in the table
with a comfortable win over Grange.  Strangely, history is not
on Giffnock`s side, last season the Edinburgh outfit won the
opening encounter 2-0 and then drew the return 2-2.  
However, Grange have not made a good start this year, only a single
point and yet to score their first goal in anger.  
(15.15hrs at Peffermill)

If early form is maintained, Edinburgh University could cause
teams problems once they settle into a routine under the aegis of
new player/coach Sam Judge.  After beating GHK 6-1 last
Saturday, the students went down 2-0 to Western the following
day.  But Western coach Neil Menzies was the first to admit
that his side were perhaps fortunate to keep a clean sheet, the
combination of a post and some poor finishing prevented Edinburgh
putting more pressure on Western.  The students visit draw
specialists Glynhill Kelburne this weekend and they are more than
capable of getting a result in this one.   (15.00hrs at
Bellahouston).   That failing, Edinburgh have another
chance to pick up some valuable points when they visit Grange on
Sunday.  (13.00hrs at Peffermill)

CALA Edinburgh have also struggled to make some headway this
season with heavy defeats at the hands of Western, Grove and Dundee
Wanderers, this weekend Wildcats are the callers.   CALA
comfortably won both encounters last season, but the Wildcats have
sharpened their claws this year and are fifth in the table. 
(14.00hrs at Meggetland)

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