Capital rivals clash in cup, Watsonians edged in Europe

Fixtures: Friday: Scottish Cup: Hillhead v Western Wildcats (19.15); Grange v Inverleith (Fettes, 19.30). Saturday: Watsonians v Grove Menzieshill; FSEG Clydesdale v Kelburne (Titwood, noon).

Women: Saturday: Premiership: University of St Andrews v The University of Edinburgh. Sunday: Premiership: Clydesdale Western v The University of Edinburgh (Titwood, 14.00). Scottish Cup: Clydesdale Western v Hillhead; Glasgow University v Western Wildcats; Uddingston v Edinburgh Ladies Hockey Club (15.00, Uddingston Cricket and Sports Club.)

Turkey: Thursday to Sunday: Watsonians in the EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup (Alanya).

Grange coach Stevie Grubb looks back on last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Hillhead in the Scottish Premiership and conceded that his men did a lot of things correctly.

The Edinburgh side had the ball in the opposition net on three occasions but the efforts were chalked off but Grange failed to convert on a penalty flick and they did not deliver from several short corners.

Grubb said: “Unfortunately, only one goal was allowed. Hillhead scored first early on from a poor pass from us that was turned over. They then proceeded to defend and did so well.”

Their rivals did have a couple of breakaways but that was dealt with by Grange who move into Scottish Cup mode on Friday night when they host Inverleith at the Fettes Playing Fields (19.30) in the quarter-final.

Grange whipped Inverleith 6-0 in the league earlier this season and arer favoured to progress.

Watsonians are on duty on Saturday when they entertain Grove Menzieshill, the sides drew 1-1 in the league, while cup holders Western Wildcats travel Upper Windyedge to face Hillhead boosted by that draw with Grange.

Abroad, Keith Smith is with the Watsonian women in Turkey for the EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup. The games are in Alanya and the Scots have a tough task as they are up against some of Europe’s top sides featuring a host of international players. The tournament starts on Thursday and Smith said: “It would be a huge challenge to finish third or fourth in our group and then win a crossover tie just to stay in the top division.”

His squad lost 5-3 in their opener to Spanish cracks Sanese Complutense. Katherine Holdgate gave the Scots the best possible start with a goal after two minutes but the Spanish side equalised six minutes later and moved 2-1 ahead seven minutes after that from a penalty corner.

The Capital combine replied through Genevive Hussell after 24 minutes but another penalty corner saw the Spanish side moved 3-2 in front. Time: 27 minutes. Back came Watsonians and Sarah Jamieson levelled three minutes after that.

But goals in the final two minutes, one from a penalty corner, took the final scoreline to 5-3.