PREVIEW: EDINBURGH v MIDDLESBROUGH (WSRA NDL)

EDINBURGH stage the first fixture in the WSRA National Development League as they host Middlesbrough at Armadale tonight (Saturday).

The Monarchs Academy finished fourth in the NDL last season and track a similar team to 2024, with Matt Marson and Lee Harrison making their debuts.

Manager Scott Wilson said: “We have an opportunity to get off to a good start with two home fixtures to open the season.

“This week’s will be difficult though as the Middlesbrough team is very much a strength in depth sort of side which can be a tricky type of opponent for a slightly more top-heavy team like ours.

“It will be important that our top four win plenty of races and the lower end of the team back them up sufficiently by taking points off their opposite numbers. A win tonight would be a big result to get us up and running.”

The Middlesbrough team for 2025 has been confirmed with new signings Tom Spencer and  Pijper brothers Ace and Steve coming in to join Danny Phillips, Jamie Halder, Ben Rathbone and Kai Ward.

However, Rathbone misses the opening fixture on Saturday and is replaced at reserve by Laylen Richardson.

EDINBURGH: Connor Coles, Kyran Lyden, Matt Marson, Sam McGurk, Dayle Wood, Mark Parker, Lee Harrison.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Tom Spencer, Jamie Halder, Ace Pijper, Stene Pijper, Danny Phillips, Laylen Richardson, Kai Ward.

SCB Referee: Michael Breckon

*LIVE STREAMING: https://www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk/emtv