Hockey: Students braced for make-or-break survival clash against city rivals
Several key members of the talented student team will be playing their final game and former Olympic coach Dennis Hay, who is a consultant to the students, said: “It’s a massive game as it is our last league fixture of the season. Victory ensures we stay in Division One.”
The students will be at full-strength as Callum Duke returns from injury.
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Hide AdHay said: “CALA cannot be taken lightly. They are great survivors and have been in many tight situations before.
“We certainly don’t want to wait to contest a play-off which could be weeks away.”
Neil Allan, CALA’s coach, hopes to be near full-strength for the vital fixture, one of two remaining for the relegation-threatened Meggetland side, who also entertain Clydesdale on March 31. CALA sit in second bottom spot, four points adrift of Edinburgh University.
Elsewhere, Grange entertain relegation-threatened Hillhead, whom they beat 5-1 in the Scottish Cup last Sunday in Glasgow, looking for a victory to consolidate second place and bring European qualification for next season closer. They beat Hillhead 11-2 in the previous league match-up in early November in Glasgow.
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Hide AdFourth-placed Inverleith travel to newly-crowned champions Kelburne hoping to erase the memory of their 9-1 hammering in November at Stirling.
Western, who are third, entertain already relegated Dundee Wanderers while Clydesdale host Grove Menzieshill.