Hockey: Derek Salmond's leap of faith

DEREK SALMOND is fully aware of the challenge facing Inverleith in tomorrow's Scottish hockey Cup Final at Peffermill (4pm) against newly-crowned league champions Kelburne – but the Scottish internationalist declared: "We're up for it."

Salmond is a key man in midfield for the Edinburgh club and that area will be hotly contested. The 26-year-old is, however, hopeful that Inverleith can go one better than last season when they finished runners-up.

Chris Reid faces a late fitness test after straining a hamstring in last Saturday's 2-1 semi-final win over Western but Scottish international defender Adam Mackenzie looks set to return after a virus kept him out of the semi-final.

Salmond said: "We've lost to Kelburne twice this season in the league but this is one game. It's all about what happens on Saturday. We've got a lot of confidence and we are out to erase the memory of last season when we lost to Grange in the final.

"We did not play well that day."

Salmond acknowledged the strengths of Kelburne whose squad is packed with international players, but he added: "We had chances in the games against them and didn't take them. Kelburne are a strong side but we can penetrate their defence."

CALA Edinburgh A women start the day of action when they play St Andrews University at 10am in the Scottish Plate.

Giffnock play Highland InveRoss in the Scottish men's plate (noon) and Western play Grove in the Women's Scottish Cup Final at 2pm.