Hockey: Inverleith eye maximum points from indoor double-header

Grassick missed out last Saturday because of club commitments in the English Premier League where he plays for Surbiton. But he comes in along with forward Phil Hall as Inverleith bid for maximum points.

The Edinburgh side beat Grange 5-4, after holding a 4-0 lead, before losing for the first time in over a year when they were beaten 2-1 by Grove Menzieshill in last Saturday’s final game at Perth.

This Saturday, the defending champions play Western and city rivals CALA Edinburgh, with the Glasgow side their first opponents.

Scott McCartney and Dougie Simpson carry a real threat up-front and Dougie’s younger brother Joe is also in the line-up.

Stuart Neave, Inverleith’s coach, said: “The key is to stop the supply to Dougie and Scott as they are lethal finishers.”

Inverleith beat Edinburgh comfortably in a pre-season challenge but the newly-promoted club boast international Scott Sutherland and in-form goalkeeper David Forrester, who plays for Edinburgh University during the outdoor season.

However, Edinburgh were short-handed last weekend when they lost 9-3 to Western and 10-0 to a strong Kelburne side with several outdoor international players in their squad.

Neave added: “Edinburgh will need more players than they had last week to make an impact, but our job is to take points.”

Menzieshill square-up to Dundee rivals Wanderers and then play Grange.

Neave said: “Grange are among a number of sides who have impressed. Wanderers played some nice indoor hockey last weekend and Kelburne could be dangerous.”