Opportunity for hosts to tighten grip on top four slot

Grove Menzieshill will be hoping to maintain their fourth place in the National League with a home win over Clydesdale, writes our men’s hockey correspondent.

Only two points separate the teams in Menzieshill’s favour but this must be an opportunity for them to at least emphasise their credentials for a top-four finish.

For Dundee Wanderers the aspirations are quite different. Survival may be their prime consideration but that is not easy with one team to be relegated outright and three to be involved in play-offs.

Uddingston, on the same three points as Wanderers, have given much food for thought after holding Menzieshill to 4-4 in the Scottish Cup, only to lose on penalties.

These two, along with Inverleith and Hillhead, are the most likely candidates for the four relegationthreatened positions.

Match of the day at the top of the league will be the visit of leaders Western Wildcats to champions Kelburne while Grange will await any slip up by Western.

Harris are away again, this time to mid-table Stepps. Hopefully current initiatives can pay dividends later in the season.

Perthshire are on a roll with four wins from six and will surely add to that away to Falkirk.

St Andrews University came so close to a step up last season, making this term’s results look slightly disappointing. That is often the fate of a university team which can endure more changes than other clubs, but they can begin to cement a top half place over Granite City Wanderers.

Menzieshill II merited their move up to the first division in the Central League but recognise the step up in quality.

Two wins in six is disappointing but so is the record of tomorrow’s opponents, Western Wildcats II.

Wanderers II took the step up from the Midland League a season after Menzieshill II and they, too, recognise the difference in standard. Wanderers could take over fourth place with a victory over Rottenrow.

Two Scots, Cameron Golden of Grove Menzieshill and Callum Mackenzie of Grange, are in the Great Britain Under 21 team in the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia.

A 1-0 win surprised the hosts and GB went on to record an 11-0 win over USA, Mackenzie netting twice.

The third match was a tense encounter with Australia, who led 2-1 before Mackenzie equalised. Golden then set up two goals as GB won 4-2.

Britain next face Japan and India, who have also won their first three games.