Premiership starting to take shape as the competition progresses

With only a few games played there is already a familiar ring about the women`s Premiership table. Already at the top we have Clydesdale Western, Western Wildcats, Edinburgh University and Watsonians, and only the Cats have dropped points in a draw. At the other end there are six teams on one or no points.

However, there are a couple of new faces in the mix. St Andrews University have moved into second spot with two wins and a draw, so a top six spot by Christmas could be on the table if they can keep up momentum. First the students will aim to consolidate that progress with a home win over Hillhead.

At the other end GHK, third last season, are at the bottom, but to be fair to the Glasgow side they have had a challenging start to the campaign with Clydesdale, Watsonians, and Edinburgh University as the opposition. But the management will still be disappointed with no points to show for their efforts. Saturday will be a target for a turn-round in fortunes with Uddingston as the visitors, and progress up the table will be looked for.

At the top it will take a big performance to see any of the sides dropping points – Clydesdale Western travel to Aberdeen University, Wildcats are at Glasgow University, and that is followed by two Edinburgh derbies with University at Grange and Watsonians at Inverleith.

Perhaps the most unpredictable element in the equation at the top is the likely impact of Edinburgh University with their massive turnover of players.

Coach Henry Langton listed the departures – Ava Findlay; Ava Smith; Ella Agnew; Itske Hooftman; Jika Nyirenda; Neave Halliday; Sophie Hinds; Georgia Kelly and finally Katie Binstead.- about half a squad. Then came a sizeable intake list starting with Harri Platt; Johanna Muhl joins from German side TSV Mannheim on an Erasmus Exchange until December; Harriet Bradley; and Clemmie Boyd return from a year studying abroad; Sophia Donald moves up from the second string; and finally Henry listed several first year students in contention

So what has Henry to say about the season ahead: “Our focus with so much change was to create a strong sense of unity and to set the standards early on. A good pre-season has helped with these goals, allowing the newcomers to connect with the seniors on and off the pitch.

“Now, our focus will be to continue the early progress made and enjoy the process of growing together as a squad through the season.”

Full points after two outings is a good start, especially the 3-2 win over GHK, and Henry will be hoping that the visit to Grange on Saturday will bear more fruit.

In the men’s Premiership, Western Wildcats` striker Fraser Moran has been in lethal form since the start of the season – 14 goals in four games is good shooting. And it is the turn of the Grange defence to see if they can contain the Auchenhowie goal-machine who can find the net from both open play and set pieces as the teams clash at Fettes on Saturday.

This is a fixture notoriously difficult to predict but it could be ominous that Wildcats have scored 25 goals in their four games and have moved into second spot. Grange have certainly won three of their four games, and were perhaps close to getting a draw with Watsonians last weekend, with a transition air about the side. But the Raeburn Place outfit will always be a threat and will fancy their chances in any match.

After four straight wins Watsonians continue at the top of the pile, and you have the feeling that the visiting Dundee Wanderers will have to dig deep to change anything there. The Taysiders have made a reasonable start to the season and occupy the middle ground in the table, but it will be a test to see if they can contain an Edinburgh side seemingly on course for a tilt at honours this season.

Edinburgh University look in ominous form after putting ten past Inverleith last weekend and it will be interesting to see if the Grove Menzieshill defence have any answer to the free-scoring Jamie Golden who has eleven goals in his three games so far.   And there is also Keir Robb, Arthur Owens, Declan Bradley, and others also lurking in the circle.  However, the Dundonians did pick up their first points of the season with a comfortable win over St Andrews University last Thursday, but Gav Byers` charges will need some resilience to contain the Edinburgh students.

The ESM Lions bubble was slightly deflated with a 1-1 draw last weekend at Dundee Wanderers but they still occupy third place in the table and manager Ross Young will hope to consolidate that status with a home win over Clydesdale. Far from an unrealistic prospect as the Titwood outfit have had a poor start to the season, although they picked up their first point with a draw against Uddingston last weekend.

Uddingston are the final side in the top six and another three points at home against Inverleith would confirm that. And the Lanarkshire side are on a mini-roll, undefeated in their last three games. Whereas their opponents have lost their last three games, quite heavily, but then again that was against Edinburgh University, ESM Lions and Watsonians from the upper echelons.

The final encounter brings together two sides that have yet to get off the mark – St Andrews against Hillhead. Not easy to predict this one though Hillhead have scored a few more goals than the students so far this season.

The opening round of the Scottish Cup takes place on Sunday with five ties in the men`s competition and 16 in the women`s.

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top