Some outstanding issues still to be settled on the final day of the Premiership

Saturday is the final day of this season`s Premiership and there are some issues still to settle, and none more so than in the upper section of the women`s competition.

Let`s start at the top – the title is still very much up for grabs between Clydesdale Western and Watsonians. A couple of weeks ago it looked all sewn up for Clydesdale with a substantial lead, but defeats at the hands of Edinburgh University and then Watsonians has reduced their advantage to only two points.

But the good news for the Titwood club is that the outcome lies in their own hands – all they have to do is beat GHK on Saturday and the title is theirs. Several years ago that might have been an easier task, but GHK are presently third in the table and a force to be reckoned with.

Although nine points adrift of Clydesdale GHK have only lost three out of their 15 league encounters. However, one of these was a 3-1 loss to Clydesdale back in October with Emma McGregor, Ali Howie and Anna Winter on target that day. And yet their form since the restart has been up and down with a win, two defeats and a draw.

And Clydesdale must win, a draw is no real use as Watsonians have a much superior goal difference should both sides finish on 40 points.

However, to reach that scenario Watsonians must beat Wildcats at Auchenhowie, something Keith Smith`s charges failed to do in November with a single goal defeat.

Both Clydesdale and Watsonians coaches will undoubtedly be concentrating on taking their three points on Saturday, but may also keep an eye on how the other rival is getting on.

But GHK have their own incentive for the three points – that would ensure their current third place and into the play-offs. Yet if they lost on Saturday both Edinburgh University and Wildcats are only three points behind and both could in theory overtake the Glasgow side.

However, GHK do have the advantage of a superior goal difference over the chasing two, and while Edinburgh could potentially make up some of the leeway against Glasgow University if they were to earn a favourable result it is not so easy for the Cats to claw back the ten goal deficit against Watsonians.

So it all makes for an intriguing day of ifs and buts, and when the pressure is really on there can be a few wobbles along the way.

In the lower echelons – Fjordhus Reivers are relegated and Hillhead will contest the play-offs for their survival in the top flight. The Borderers finish their programme at Grange, their first encounter back in September ended in a 3-3 draw. Hillhead entertain Inverleith, the side immediately above them but nine points away. Unless there is a dramatic change in goal difference St Andrews University will finish in seventh spot whether they see off Uddingston at home or not – they lead Grange by three points and 22 goals.

There’s not so many complications to the men`s Premiership. Western Wildcats are champions with an unassailable four point lead over second placed Watsonians, and both are joined by Grange and Edinburgh University in the play-offs. Wildcats face ESM Lions at Auchenhowie.

Grange`s visit to Hillhead has some meaning for the Edinburgh side, it was there some weeks ago that the home side dumped them out of the Scottish Cup in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. Will there be some revenge here?

In the final upper group game the Edinburgh students take on Watsonians in a local derby with little but pride at stake, although the latter could relinquish second spot if they lose.

There is still an outstanding issue to be settled in the bottom six competition, and it is between Uddingston and Inverleith for the relegation play-off. It is the Edinburgh side that look destined for the play-off spot, after losing 5-2 to Uddingston two weeks ago they trail the Lanarkshire side by two points. In addition, Uddy are at home to already relegated Dunfermline Carnegie in their final game and must be confident of that vital three points, and survival.

In contrast, Inverleith are at home to Clydesdale who top the lower division. Only a win will do for the Edinburgh side, but even that might not be enough.

Clydesdale and Grove Menzieshill are having a ding-dong battle for top spot, the former lead by the slender margin of a single goal. But Menzieshill have the unpredictable Tayside derby with Dundee Wanderers as their final encounter of the season, not an easy venture as Wanderers were on a winning streak until their 4-1 reversal at Titwood.

 

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