ROUND-UP Albert hits the goal trail as GM set early pace

GROVE Menzieshill II began the Second Division of the Indoor National League with three victories to set a pace that others will have difficulty following.

There was little to choose between Menzieshill II and Western Wildcats at half-time in the first match but the Dundee team stormed ahead after the break for a 9-5 victory. Albert Rowling’s seven goals, five in the second half, were decisive.

The opening half against Uddingston proved decisive, Menzieshill II leading by 5-1 and going on to win 7-3. Rowling was again the main striker with three.

Rowling also played a major role in the third match with a treble in a 9-3 win over Inverleith.

Dundee Wanderers II held a slight edge over Falkirk at 3-2 going into the last minute but an equaliser for Falkirk seemed to have dashed their hopes on victory.

However, the Dundee side responded to snatch victory with the last play of the game. Jamie White was the player on target.

Having stepped up from Division Three, Wanderers II would be pleased to put three points on the board but they then came up against superior opposition in Dunfermline Carnegie, who ran out 6-2 winners.

Four of the eight teams in Division Three are from Midland and they came away with a mix of results.

Monarchs and Perthshire both had to face Kelburne II, who look to be the form team with victories i n all three matches.

Monarchs and Grove Menzieshill III shared six goals in their first match before ’Hill went on to record a good win over Granite City Wanderers.

Two goals each from Neil Robertson and Adam Czub saw Perthshire through against Aberdeen Grammar. These two scored two and three goals respectively against Kelburne II while Lewis Pyke chipped in with one more, but they ended just one short of claiming a point.

Harris will be pleased with an encouraging draw against Aberdeen Grammar in their opening match but much more so with their decisive win over Stepps. Given their poor outdoor form, this will give the club a lift, but there is a long way to go for a complete transformation.

The First Division of the National Indoor League begins on Saturday at Bell’s Sports Centre, Perth.

Grove Menzieshill and Inverleith are the likely main contenders.

Menzieshill have a challenging opening day against Grange, currently leading the way outdoor. Next up for ’Hill are Kelburne, second outdoor and always capable of putting a good indoor squad together, before Inverleith provide opposition on what is a challenging opening day for the Dundee side.

Having regained their place in Division One last season, Dundee Wanderers will be keen to cement that place at an early stage with victories over Edinburgh University and Clydesdale.

Menzieshill II, having won their first three matches, will expect victory in their first match at DISC against Falkirk. Wanderers II will not have it quite so easy against Western Wildcats and Inverleith II, but then all eyes will be on the clash of the two Dundee teams at 4.35pm.

The Third Division programme at Bell’s Coaching Hall features t hree local ‘derbies’ between Midland teams. Harris are involved in two of these, against Menzieshill III and Monarchs, the third being the clash of Menzieshill II and Perthshire.

Wanderers III begin their Regional programme at Forthbank.

Forfar Farmington U/15 Falcons pictured at their end-of-season prize-giving.