Grove II bid to cut the gap

Premier league players benefit from a further week’s grace before moving outdoors, while the action ramps up in other divisions.

Normality returned to championship league 1 with home games slated for both Grove Menzieshill II and Stirling Wanderers.

A full strength turnout for the former has the potential to give Edinburgh University III a run for their money.

The students sit third in the table but home advantage could play a big part in Grove cutting the gap to three points.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Stirling whose three point tally leaves them hovering in the danger zone.

Closest match in championship 2 looks like the mid-table clash between Kinross and Kelburne II where a single point is the difference between fifth and sixth respectively.

Perthshire, currently fourth in the table should account for St Andrews Uni IIS while their Dundee counterparts would appear to have little chance of improving their ninth place against promotion-bidding Uddingston at Riverside.

Midland match-ups taking the eye are league leaders Madras against Wanderers II and Blairgowrie at home to St Andrews University IIIS.

The Kinross II v Dundee University III encounter also has the look of a tight finish.

The remaining fixture between Brechin Thistles and Perthshire II has been put back to February 28.

Grove Menzieshill IIIS edged ahead in division 2 when promotion rivals Stirling University II unexpectedly dropped the ball last week.

You can bet they’ll be on point to avoid a similar outcome when St Andrews IVS pitch up at Dawson Park this afternoon.

On a busy weekend Monarchs play twice with Perthshire IIIS providing today’s league opposition before a delayed first round Midland KO Cup tie against Dalnacraig ground-sharers Wanderers II tomorrow.