Inverleith aiming to bounce back after Grove trouncing

By CRAIG MADDEN
Published on 20/10/2012 00:00

Inverleith had a serious wobble last weekend with a 7-3 reversal at the hands of Grove Menzieshill and coach Stevie McCurry can not contemplate a similar fate against PSL Team Sport Clydesdale at Peffermill in the Aberdeen Asset Management men’s national league today.

McCurry’s problem is the unpredictable nature of Clydesdale, capable of powerful attacking play but also mediocrity, sometimes even in the same game. “Clydesdale will provide a very competitive game, as was shown last season. We won the Edinburgh fixture, then lost the return in Glasgow,” said McCurry.

How far the EuroLeague hangover will affect Grange’s performance this weekend is open to doubt, but today’s opponents Edinburgh University could feel the backlash.

The contest between unbeaten sides Western Wildcats and Grove Menzieshill at Auchenhowie could be the game of the day. New Grove coach Chris Anderson said: “Western are good quality opposition. The objective is certainly to go there with a positive attitude and build on last week’s quality performance.”

Newly-promoted Watsonians should emerge from the foot of the table if they take the three points from their visit to fellow strugglers Hillhead.

In the women’s competition, Edinburgh University could be a new force in the land after signing six new players in the close season, in particular Scotland player Nikki Kidd. Edinburgh, who finished a very creditable fourth last season, have also acquired Grove’s international goalkeeper Nicki Cochrane along with Louise Fleming, Lucy Lanigan and Heather Lang from Giffnock. They start their campaign with home game against Kelburne.

Champions Grove Menzieshill and Milne Craig Western should both start off with a comfortable three points against Inverleith and Wildcats respectively. CALA Edinburgh visit Dundee Wanderers while Grange travel to play a much-weakened Giffnock.