Men’s hockey – Moodie eyes three points

Edinburgh University aim to end the first half of the Division One season on a high with a win against Uddingston on Saturday at Peffermill (push-of 16.00).

That would help the students close in on the top four as currently Graham Moodie’s men have 12 points from nine games and are fifth in the ten-strong Division One table.

They are seven points adrift of fourth-placed Western Wildcats and Moodie is desperate to close the gap.

He also wants to put points on the board now to edge away from the relegation zone.

Newly-promoted Dundee Wanderers are also on 12 points from ten games but have an inferior goal difference of minus nine against the students plus four.

Only three points below Edinburgh are seventh-placed Hillhead and Clydesdale, who are eighth, while Uddingston are ninth with six points.

Edinburgh drew 3-3 last Saturday with Uddingston in Lanarkshire.

And Moodie is well aware that Uddingston have drawn with champions Bromac Kelburne, who are second in the table, coming from 4-1 down.

Uddingston also claimed a 3-3 with current leaders Grange earlier this month.

Moodie, a former Olympian, is pleased with the showing of his men so far this term.

He lost several international players last season, including midfielder Jamie Wong, who is now playing in Holland, and former Great Britain squad member, Dan Coultas, who switched to Grange.

And he started the campaign minus two injured players including former Scotland international Chris Duncan.

The new-look squad has, however, responded and currently lead their section in the national students division.

Moodie said: “We’ve had a positive first half of the season so far and are top of our British Universities league.

“There have been some good performances in the National League and, overall, we’ve played some good hockey.”

Reflecting on last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Uddingston, where the students grabbed a point with a goal from Duncan, his first in two seasons, in the final five minutes, Moodie said: “Last Saturday’s game was very tight and both teams will feel they could have won.

“We have some key players returning from injury this weekend which strengthens our squad and we aim learn from last week and to finish this half (of the season before the winter shutdown) with a win.”