Clydesdale Western keep rolling along

Clydesdale Western retained their perfect record this season with a solid 2-0 win over Wildcats at Titwood on Wednesday evening, Ava Graham and Laura Paul were the scorers.

So the question is – will anybody put the breaks on Clydesdale`s impressive run of form? On Saturday Glasgow University come calling at Titwood but can the students do what others have failed to do?

The other games on the card amount to a jostling for position. At the top GHK entertain Watsonians with second spot on the table. Both sides were winners on Wednesday evening, in the capital Watsonians won 5-3 against Edinburgh University.

With four minutes to go the score rested at 3-3, Jess Ross, Harriet Platt and Cat Nelli scored for the students while Ailsa Small, Emily Dark and Beth Dodds replied for the champions. Watsonians then grasped the points through Jess Garden and finally Sarah Jamieson at a penalty corner.

GHK put five past Glasgow University, here there were two goals each for Fiona Semple and Lucy Williamson while Robin Robeson picked up the other.

These results leave Watsonians two points ahead of GHK but the positions would be reversed if the Glasgow side were to triumph. Last time out ended in a 1-1 draw, Sarah Jamieson opened for the champions in only 90 seconds but Mackenzie Brown levelled in the third quarter…and that`s how it finished. So perhaps another close encounter is envisaged considering GHK have had their best season so far and Watsonians` form has shaded a little compared to previous seasons.

Further down, Wildcats and Edinburgh University will fight it out for the coveted fourth spot. At the moment the Auchenhowie side hold it by a single point but Edinburgh do have a game in hand.

The earlier encounter ended in another 1-1 draw with Francis Lonergan`s strike for the Cats cancelled out by Zara Kennedy. It’s not an easy one to predict as both side`s form have been a bit up and down – so perhaps the team that peaks on the day will take the honours. Uddingston has made a decisive move away from the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Hillhead on Tuesday evening, and now move up to eighth in the table.

With bottom side Fjordhus Reivers calling on Saturday, another three points here could put the Lanarkshire side top of the lower pool. As it stands there seems a long way back for the Reivers to prevent an immediate return to the second tier next season.

And so what is in store for Hillhead? At the moment they seemed destined for the relegation play-off spot, any rescue bid would have to involve a win over St Andrews University this weekend. But the omens are not good, last time out it was 8-0 for the students with Iona Syme and Liz Agatucci the top scorers.

Inverleith have a five point cushion over Hillhead at the moment and they might be able to increase that at home to Grange. Although Grange were the more clinical side back in November with a comfortable 5-1 win.

 

The race for the men`s Premiership title is still an open book

So, what is already decided? The top four for the play-offs are now Western Wildcats, Watsonians, Grange and Edinburgh University as Hillhead and ESM Lions are now too far behind.

However, there are still three games remaining and so what is not decided is the Premiership winner and also the batting order of the other sides.  At the moment seven points separate Wildcats at the top and the Edinburgh students in fourth and there are nine points up for grabs for all the teams.  Wildcats are in front but still not title winners.

After losing their perfect record to Grange, Wildcats returned to winning ways with a 3-2 win over Hillhead, and this Saturday they are at home to Edinburgh University. Vishal Marwaha`s pack won the first game 3-2, but only by a whisker with the winning strike from Fraser Moran coming in the final two minutes. So it may be close again at Auchenhowie on Saturday.

Grange seem to have had a new lease of life with back to back 4-1 wins over Wildcats and the Edinburgh students – so can they inflict the same on Watsonians this weekend? The latter are still in second spot, only two points adrift of Wildcats at the top after victories over ESM and Hillhead. But now the pressure is on as Dan Coultas` charges will face the challenge of Grange on Saturday and then Wildcats and Edinburgh University thereafter. This will be a real test of their mettle if Watsonians could come away with all nine points and the title. Time will tell on that one.

The final fixture on the calendar is the clash between Hillhead and ESM Lions with fifth place the carrot for the winner. The Glasgow side have home advantage and a recent cup shock against Grange on their side, in addition they won the earlier contest 4-2 with Matt Carder and Fraser Ward both scoring twice. Some might fancy Hillhead, but the Lions have not reached the top six for the first time by accident – so this could be a close one.

In the bottom six relegation is still a live issue but bottom side Dunfermline Carnegie must beat Inverleith on Saturday to have any chance of avoiding the automatic return to the second tier next season. Alternatively an Inverleith victory would certainly ease their relegation fears. The Edinburgh side were 4-3 winners first time round, Charlie Jack scoring a hat-trick.

With two defeats since the winter break Uddingston have slipped into relegation contention, only two points in front of Inverleith, but a home win over Dundee Wanderers would ease the worries.  However, the Taysiders have a contrasting record since the break, they have won both their outings to lift them away from the danger zone.

Meanwhile, Grove Menzieshill and Clydesdale share top spot in the lower six – literally, with the same points, same goal difference, and same goals scored and conceded…you can`t get closer than that.   Clydesdale shade it on alphabetical order! Doubtless this will be a close encounter.

 

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