Grange and Edinburgh University top National League 1 tables

Grange and Edinburgh University will finish the year at the top of the men’s and women’s National League 1 tables as the outdoor season reaches its midway point.

Grange recorded their eighth win in ten to keep ahead of Kelburne at the top of Men’s National League 1. Clydesdale have yet to show the form they must be capable of and Grange took full advantage, running out 7-1 winners. Todd Mills rattled in four of Grange’s seven goals and Jacob Tweedie, Ali Irvine and Luke Cranney added one apiece for a comfortable victory.

Kelburne are still three points behind Grange after their 4-1 win over Inverleith. Jonny Christie with two and Mike Christie and Iain Scholefield with one each did the damage.

Grove Menzieshill would have expected to maintain their position relative to the top two when they met Dundee Wanderers, but they so nearly lost that match. Neither team shone in the first half and Grove Menzieshill had the better of the exchanges in the second.  But an inability to execute their penalty corners coupled with another fine display by Connor Downes in the Wanderers goal kept them at bay. A late break gave Wanderers the lead, Bobby Ralph scoring when he should have been closed down, and Ben Wilson equalised two minutes from time, latching onto a loose ball after a penalty corner.

Western Wildcats recorded a narrow win to remain well up in fourth place but Hillhead, now ten points behind Wildcats, will rue missed chances with only Graeme Campbell on the score sheet. The future may be brighter for Hillhead but they have to overcome a three point deficit behind Dundee Wanderers and Edinburgh University to escape from the relegation playoffs.

Grange and Edinburgh University top National League
Photo by Mark Pugh

Uddingston picked up another valuable point in their 3-3 draw with Edinburgh University but they need more to ease away from relegation fears. Similarly the point for Edinburgh merely keeps them safe in mid table. Antonis Efthymiou, Simon Balschke and Chris Duncan scored for Edinburgh.

Edinburgh University continued their almost relentless progress with their ninth win in ten and they lead Grove Menzieshill by three points in Women’s National League 1. Hanna McKie, Zara Malseed and Laura Swanson all scored twice with Louise Campbell, Sophie Maunder and Ella Watt adding one each in their 9-2 win over GHK.

Grange and Edinburgh University top National League
Photo by Andy Lovat

Grove Menzieshill had the vast majority of the pressure against Dundee Wanderers but found it extremely difficult to pass Carmin Dow in Wanderers’ goal. When they did so through Sarah Jamieson that might have been the catalyst for victory but Wanderers responded with a breakaway goal by Ruth Blaikie, neatly set up by Emily Dark. So that 1-1 score line leaves Grove Menzieshill three points shy of the top instead of one behind Edinburgh.

Clydesdale Western might have expected a more comfortable victory over Grange than the 2-1 which they had to settle for. A first half goal by Lucy Lanigan separated the teams but Grange equalised before a late winner from a penalty corner by Millie Brown secured the points for Western who are now only a point behind Grove Menzieshill and four behind Edinburgh.

Western Wildcats remain two behind Clydesdale Western after their more comfortable win over Hillhead.

Watsonians produced a professional performance versus a young Kelburne side. The 8-0 win saw three goals from Heather Elder, two for Olivia Bell, and goals for Eve Pearson, Olivia McMahon and Daniele Johnston to round off first part of outdoor season.

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