Women`s top six get into action after the Nations Cup

Clydesdale Western, once so dominant in the women`s game in Scotland, is on a mission to restore the halcyon days. The Titwood-based side are in pole position with maximum points from their previous eleven games and with a healthy cushion of six points over second placed GHK. On Saturday the league leaders travel to Peffermill to engage Edinburgh University in what could turn out to be a tricky outing.

The students may not be having their best season, they have dropped eleven points in as many games, but they still carry a punch and have several current and past international players in their ranks. And last time out in October it turned out to be a close call, Clydesdale galloped into a three goal lead by the interval, the students pulled it back to three all, only for Millie Steiger to find the winner.

GHK certainly seem a side on the up. They currently hold second spot in the Premiership after a run of six games without defeat, including a 1-1 draw with the champions Watsonians. If this progress is to be maintained, a win at Auchenhowie against Wildcats is a must. They were 3-1 winners back in October with free-scoring Lucy Williamson getting a couple and Hanna McKie also on target.

Wildcats may be in fifth spot with a mixture of form this season but they are always capable of a big result – evidence their 1-0 win over Watsonians on the last weekend before the winter break, Lexi MacMillan did the damage that day. And the Auchenhowie side must pick up points in the final run-in of five games if they hope to make the play-offs. So GHK beware!

Watsonians need to get back onto the rails if they are to make a meaningful challenge to Clydesdale`s substantial lead. Uncharacteristic, they finished the first half of the programme with two defeats against Wildcats and Clydesdale, and even more surprisingly without finding the net. So Sarah Jamieson and company need to get their shooting sticks to the ready against Glasgow University on Saturday. Last time out they did, to the tune of 12-1 with Emily Dark scoring four and doubles for Katherine Holdgate and Jamieson.

The Glasgow students did well to reach the top six, secured with a 2-1 win over Grange while rivals from St Andrews lost by the same score to GHK. But whether they can progress up the top six table is another matter.

There was definitely a little shoogle in the men`s top six Premiership last weekend – Grange played their best of the season, Western Wildcats were a bit off colour, and the latter`s lead at the top has been suddenly reduced to two points.  So it`s very much all to play for.

However, the Wildcats have the chance to steady the ship against Hillhead on Saturday.  Earlier in the season Wildcats were convincing 6-0 winners, Jamie Golden getting a hat-trick, coach Vishal Marwaha would doubtless settle for much of the same.   Yet Hillhead are determined to further their cause and dumping Grange out of the cup last Sunday has shown that they can rise to the occasion.

And second placed Watsonians are now only two points away and must fancy their chances of seeing off ESM Lions. On paper, Watsonians must be considered firm favourites for this one, they won the first encounter 6-3 and last weekend saw off Hillhead 4-1 – so the omens are favourable.  Coach Dan Coultas will certainly want to keep the pressure on Wildcats.

Despite last weekend`s 4-1 loss to the Edinburgh students, the Lions have given some of the title aspirants a run for their money.  So nothing is for certain.

Well, what about Grange? They were brilliant against Western in the league and the following day dumped out of the Scottish Cup. On Saturday they visit Peffermill to take on the Edinburgh students in what could be described as the game-of-the-day. On the final day before the winter break Edinburgh went to Fettes and came away with a 2-0 win courtesy of strikes by Keir Robb and Iain McFadden, and they have featured consistently on the students` scoresheet this season. However, Grange go into this contest knowing that a win would have them leapfrog Edinburgh into third spot in the table.

Now a couple of updates on the women`s Scottish Cup.

Clydesdale Western travelled to Edinburgh to take on Grange and came away with a 3-0 win to progress in the competition. Anna Winter and Rhiannon Carr were first half scorers while Ciara Forgie added a third after the interval.

On Wednesday evening Edinburgh University travelled to St Andrews for their cup tie and also came away with a similar score.   Ava Findlay, Jess Ross and Alex Pritchford were Edinburgh`s scorers.

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