Post: Weekend Preview – 22nd February

Clydesdale Men’s 1s begin outdoor hockey in 2020 with their rescheduled Second Round tie in the Men’s Scottish Cup against holders Grange 1s from 2.30pm at Titwood on Saturday.

The original date of the tie was scheduled for mid November 2019 but was cancelled as frosty temperatures left the pitch at Titwood unsafe. But with the indoor season complete, all Scottish National League teams are bracing themselves for a return to competitive outdoor hockey, including the Men’s 1s. Tomorrow’s opponents, Grange, have already played a competitive game in last Saturday’s league win against Hillhead 1s.

The ‘Dale boys secured their Second Round place after a nail biting penalty strokes win over fellow Men’s Premiership side Uddingston 1s. But the task for the M1s does not get any easier, as they will face a side that secured a treble last season, and have won the last two Scottish Cup tournaments. The last meeting between Clydesdale and Grange was a competitive one at Titwood in October in the Men’s Premiership, but the Edinburgh side ran out winners with a 3-0 scoreline. The previous clash in the Scottish Cup was back in April 2018, as Clydesdale pushed Grange all the way, with both sides playing out a 2-2 draw in the Semi Final – but Grange again prevailed that day, with a win on running penalties to secure a place in the Final which they ultimately went on to win.

Team news for Saturday’s cup tie sees Head Coach Ciaran Crawford without four players that featured heavily from the first half of the season – but has two players in line for their debuts for the 1st team. Gordon Amour, who was the M1s captain, has transferred and will play his club hockey for the second half of the season at Real Club Jolaseta in Bilbao, Spain. There are injuries to goalkeeper Sean Mahoney, Nigel Lucas (both knee) and Dean Baber (thumb). Fergus Barrows will play his first game in goals for Crawford’s side, whilst youngster Ethan Robertson is also in tomorrow’s squad.

There are a further seven games for Clydesdale & Clydesdale Western, with the L3s playing in the Women’s Scottish Plate on Saturday.

Following a Women’s Scottish Cup exit, the L3s have entered the Scottish Plate and will face Women’s Premiership side Hillhead 1s from 3.30pm at Upper Windyedge.

All six teams that are representatives in the Men’s and Women’s West District Leagues are in action, starting with the M3s. They have the earliest passback (11.00am) against Dumfries 1s at King George V Playing Fields in Men’s West District Division One.

In Men’s West District Division Two, the M4s host Oban 1s from 1.00pm, and the M5s – in Men’s West District Division Three South – are away at Wellington School to play Ayr 2s, 3.30pm PB.

At 1.30pm, both the L5s and L6s will pushback in their respective league games. In Women’s West District Division Two, the L5s are at Hutchesons’ Grammar School against Glasgow University 4s, whilst in West District Division Three, the L6s visit Duncanrig High to play East Kilbride 2s.

The L4s complete the card of home games at Titwood, with a 4.00pm passback in Women’s West District Division One against Rottenrow 1s.

Photo credit: Duncolm Sports Photography