Top Men’s Premiership Sides Strive to Continue their Perfect Record

After two games, five sides sit on six points: Watsonians, Western Wildcats, Edinburgh University, Uddingston and FSEG Clydesdale, but something might give this weekend as Clydesdale entertain Uddingston at Titwood on Saturday.

Uddy have been particularly impressive with Euan Gilmour being active in the circle, with four goals already in the locker. The Lanarkshire side also look well organised in defence with two comfortable clean sheets. Last weekend they outplayed Grove Menzieshill and the 4-0 scoreline did not really reflect their dominance, it might have been more if their penalty corner routine had been slicker.

The Dale, still under the coaching eye of Harry Dunlop, have also made an impressive start to the campaign, recording wins over Grange and Hillhead. The latter relied on a late winner for the odd goal in seven. They have scored nine goals in their two games, but they have also conceded five, perhaps room for improvement in that department.

This certainly looks to be the pick of Saturday’s card.

So, what of the other leaders. Watsonians are slightly ahead on goal difference and are away to Grove Menzieshill. It is difficult to imagine the Edinburgh side not emerging from the conflict with the three points and a few goals along the way. Grove Menzieshill will perhaps have to rely on the keeping skills of Steven McIlravey who was outstanding against Uddingston last weekend.

On paper Western Wildcats, with back-to-back 6-0 victories already under their belt, should have another win against an Inverleith side that are yet to find the net.

Edinburgh University are expected to retain their perfect record at home to Hillhead. While the students are favourite, the Glasgow side have at least one point in the bag and were just edged out by Clydesdale last weekend. In recent seasons they have shown themselves capable of springing the odd impressive result when perhaps least expected. However, they will certainly have to keep a tight hold on free-scoring Jamie Golden and his penalty corner routine, although he only found the net once last Saturday.

Well, what about ESM Lions 16 goal romp against Dunfermline Carnegie – undoubtedly a Premiership record for the Edinburgh club. Now can the Lions roar past Grange this weekend? Certainly, leading scorers Livio Belotti, Alex Thomson and others now know their way to goal. Although Grange have yet to record a win, they will be a much harder nut to crack, especially considering they more than held their own in the second half against Edinburgh University last Saturday.

So where does that leave Dunfermline. They have the chance to pick themselves up against Kelburne, who are also yet to score a point. The two sides also share another common factor; both have yet to find the net in their return to the Premiership. However, the Buddies have had a hard start to their return to the topflight, with Watsonians and Western Wildcats as the opposition, so now is their chance to demonstrate that the halcyon days for the Paisley side are starting to return.

The Women’s Premiership is limited to one fixture – Hillhead entertain Gordonians. In recent years, the Glasgow side have been striving to stave off relegation, successfully so far, and captain Ciara Goddard would welcome the chance of an early three points. There have been some additions to the Hillhead squad, keeper Becky Hague joins from Clydesdale Western, Beth Smith from Inverleith, while Maria Murio Fernandez returns from Glasgow University. However, most interesting of all, 14-year-olds Grace Rettie and Lucia Bankhead, now eligible to play at this level, are stepping up to the squad.

Gordonians started off their return to the topflight losing 4-0 to Grange and will be out to achieve a more encouraging outcome this Saturday.

 

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