Kelburne Bromac are clearly established at the top of the first division, although only on goal difference but with a game in hand. That game is today’s match against Uddingston which the league leaders must surely be firm favourites to win.

This season has been disappointing for Uddingston after their great efforts to gain promotion to division 1 from second place in division 2, but their efforts in the first nine games have been fruitless. Is that indicative of the gulf between the two divisions?

The last thing on the minds of the Kelburne players will be that this might be a straightforward victory, but that should be the reality.

The top clash is undoubtedly the meeting of the third and fourth placed teams, Grange and Edinburgh University, separated by only a point. Grange are now developing their style of play under new coach David Knipe after a relatively shaky start which saw them lose two of their first four games.

Edinburgh University have also steadily improved to the extent that a top four place come the end of the season is a distinct possibility. Whether they can match Grange may be arguable but they do have a recent win over previous leaders Hillhead to add to their confidence.

The absence of Grove Menzieshill from today’s programme is because they will be in Prague at an indoor tournament. The main objective must be preparation for the Scottish indoor programme which begins on 5 December and their bid to regain the title which Inverleith currently hold.

Among the 10 teams participating in the tournament are such as Wien and WAC (Austria), Grunwald Poznan (Poland), Slavia Praha and Bohemians (Czech Republic).

Hillhead led the way in the first division by winning their first five games but have slumped to defeat in the next four to lie fifth. A few short weeks ago it would have been a given that Hillhead would defeat AAM Gordonians, but perhaps not now. Gordonians are five points behind Hillhead but Hillhead have to face the journey to Aberdeen which is so often a debilitating factor for teams from the West.

Clydesdale have the opportunity to show that they have actually turned the corner when they entertain MJV Dundee Wanderers. The Dundee team have leaked goals aplenty on recent visits to the West and it would be a surprise if this were not another such occasion.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh University and Grove Menzieshill are neck and neck in the Women’s first division – apart from a ten goal advantage in goal difference for the University team. The only blemish on each record is the 1-1 draw between the two on the second week of the season.

There is a nine point gap between these two and the best of the rest – a significant advantage after only nine games.

GHK currently prop up the rest with the second poorest scoring record and the poorest defensive record. That cannot allow for much optimism when the leaders, Edinburgh, are the visitors in the late match. Scoring 4.5 goals per game on average must surely give he University team a head start in confidence.

Grove Menzieshill will also be in the West to face Western Wildcats. The 1pm start will allow Grove to head the division, if only temporarily. Having won by the odd goal in three on the first day of the season, it may be that Grove are better equipped not to repeat or even better that performance.

Milne Craig Clydesdale Western are a distant third below the top two but lead MJV Dundee Wanderers by only a point. Recent form would seem to suggest that Western will hold a slight edge with both ultimately eyeing a top four finish which will see them into the post-season playoffs.

Kelburne Bromac are sixth in the table but well clear of a relegation playoff slot and they can enhance that position with victory over second bottom Watsonians.