Iain Scholefield confessed that Bromac Kelburne`s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Edinburgh University last weekend was just a bad day at the office, but the player/coach is determined that third placed Grange will feel the backlash at Glasgow Green today. This is a crucial fixture for the 11 times league winners, they are only three points ahead of rivals Grove Menzieshill who have a game in hand.
"A number of things didn`t work for us against Edinburgh and our intensity let us down at times. We gave them an opportunity and they were up for grabbing it," said Scholefield.
But the Paisley coach can take heart from the fact that his charges thumped Grange 4-0 in the first clash, arguably Kelburne`s best performance of the season with the goals coming from penalty corner expert Josh Cairns, Lee Morton grabbed a brace while captain Jonny Christie got the other.
Scholefield is optimistic that his side can complete the double over the Edinburgh side. "We know exactly what we have to do for the game today. I`m more than confident that the team will bounce back and build on our previous four goal victory over Grange."
Meanwhile Menzieshill wait in the wings hoping for another Kelburne slip-up but they have their own issues on Tayside against a resurgent Edinburgh University side that are beginning to put some form together.
Edinburgh could have been in a title challenging position but for losing eight points after admitting fielding an ineligible player, but the students have replied in style as the Paisley side found out to their cost last weekend.
Menzieshill won the first encounter by the odd goal in seven, but Edinburgh coach Graham Moodie believes his side can reverse that result. Perhaps not such an idle boast as the Taysiders have fallen away slightly after an encouraging start to the campaign with a 2-1 defeat at home to Grange followed by a 5-1 thumping by PSL Team Sport Clydesdale.
In the women`s league it is the clash of the Titans between champions Edinburgh University and Grove, both sides are unbeaten and share pole position in the table. Edinburgh player/coach Sam Judge does not believe that this represents a title decider but admits it will have a bearing on the final destiny of the championship.
"It`s definitely an important game for us and I`d be really disappointed if we didn`t take the three points," said Judge.
The closeness of the occasion is evident as the opening game between the rivals ended in a 1-1 draw, but Judge believed that it as her side that dictated the flow. "I was disappointed we drew the first game, I think we deserved to win. But we didn`t convert our chances and found Grove quite difficult to break down as they sat half court."
Milne Craig Western should retain third spot with a comfortable home win over Erskine Stewart`s Melville. Meanwhile, Wildcats could press their claim for a top four spot by completing the double over CALA Edinburgh at Auchenhowie, and they have still two games in hand.
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