Watsonians travel across the Capital to face Inverleith on Saturday (15.00, The Mary Erskine School) in good spirits having thrashed Dundee Wanderers in their opening Premiership clash to top the table at this early stage in the season.
Tom Swarbrick, one of the senior players at Watsonians, confirmed that Scottish international, Duncan Riddell, returns to the squad after being away at a family wedding.
Jamie Cochrane also comes back after injury to bolster the club’s defensive options and Jack Cahalin also makes his comeback to boost the club’s attacking options. Inverleith were on the other end of a heavy defeat at Uddingston when they went down 7-1.
Paul Taylor, Inverleith’s playcaller, said his men are still suffering from injuries and four starters will not play but he added: “Thankfully, we have two back who missed last week and we are looking to bounce back after a very disappointing start where too many individual errors let us down.”
Grange clash with near neighbours Erskine Stewart’s Melville (15.30, at Inverleith) and the defending champions come into the game on the back of a 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Dunfermline Carnegie. Injury-hit Grange fielded a number of debutants but former Scotland international goalkeeper, David Forrester, returns along with Michael McKenzie.
The University of Edinburgh open their campaign at Grove Menzieshill (15.40, Dawson Park) who lost 2-0 at Auchenhowie against Western Wildcats in their opener.
Western travel to Dundee Wanderers (13.30, Dalnacraig) on Saturday and the other fixtures are Clydesdale v Uddingston (no time or venue given) and Dunfermline Carnegie at home to Hillhead (13.30, Woodmill High School, Dunfermline).
Fixtures in the women’s Premiership are: Fjordhs Reivers v Grange Edinburgh Ladies (no time of venue given), Glasgow University v Watsonians (2.20, Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre), The University of St Andrews v Western Wildcats (no time or venue given), Inverleith v Hillhead, 12.30, The Mary Erskine School), GHK v The University of Edinburgh (14.15, Old Anniesland), Uddingston v Clydesdale Western (15.00, Uddingston Cricket and Sports Club).
Watsonians game is at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre and coach Keith Smith said that his squad will be missing two players because of work commitments. Last weekend the Edinburgh club thrashed Borders outfit Fjordhus Reivers 11-0 at Peffermill.
Picture: Grange v Dunfermile Carnegie at Fettes College last weekend. Picture Nigel Duncan
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