Big games including top four clashes on the Premiership menu this weekend

There is a sort of a play-off theme about the men`s Premiership this weekend – 1v2 as Grange take on Edinburgh University along with 3v4 with Western Wildcats entertaining Clydesdale. While not crucial in the final destiny of this season`s championship it might result in a reshuffle at the top of the table by Saturday evening.

Edinburgh University have grown ever stronger over the last few seasons and have now emerged as real championship contenders. Under the coaching eye of Hamish Imrie the students are unbeaten and in second spot, only two points behind leaders Grange.

University have won six of their seven matches to date, the only slight blemish was the 3-3 draw at Clydesdale, and even then they were within a whisker of taking all three points. Having said that, the students have yet to play either Western or Grange, so Saturday`s outing against the latter will be a real test of their mettle.

But there is no shortage of confidence in the students’ camp if you speak to captain Iain McFadden. Referring initially to last weekend`s 8-2 win over Uddingston, he said: “It was another step in our upwards trajectory this season. We started a bit slow, but once we were into the game, the chances and goals naturally came.

“We are becoming an increasingly cohesive unit and are raring to go against Grange next week.”

A gauntlet to Grange perhaps. Iain followed up by saying: “Grange are a quality side but we have made great progress since last season and I believe if we take our chances we can continue our winning form.”

But Grange have a perfect record so far and are unlikely to surrender that easily. And they have striker Fraser Heigh back from Great Britain duty in Malaysia, and he celebrated his return with four goals in the 7-1 defeat of Kelburne.

Perhaps not easy to predict the outcome, but at any rate there should be a feast of goals as both sides have scored a total of 91 goals in their combined seven matches so far.

And now on to Auchenhowie where Western entertain Clydesdale. The latter are having a good season under coach Ciaran Crawford and last weekend`s 3-0 win over Watsonians was as good as result as any this season. Also the Titwood-based club have already shown that they are not in fear of Western`s reputation, last season they were one of the few sides to take points off the champions with a draw at the same venue.

But the Western goal machine is in fine working order with an average of six a game – not bad shooting! Andrew McConnell is on fire at the moment, he scored another four last weekend against Dunfermline Carnegie. But there is also Adam Mackenzie, Fraser Moran, Jack Mackenzie, ironically a former Clydesdale player, Rob Harwood, Jonny Christie…..and several others to supplement the tally.

Photo by Mark Pugh

And that takes care of the top of the table, so what about elsewhere?

Watsonians were undoubtedly disappointed to come away from Titwood on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline, and fell back to fifth, but have the chance to amend at home to Kelburne.

Inverleith have made it up to the top six after seeing off the challenge of Hillhead and could consolidate that status at home to Dunfermline Carnegie who have only one win under their belt this season and have slipped back to tenth.

Hillhead, only behind Inverleith on goal difference, are camping on the edge of the top six and will hope to improve their case with a win at ESM. However, the latter have broken their duck with a 3-1 win over FMGM Monarchs last weekend and that success should kick start their confidence in the top flight.

In the final game on the men’s card Uddingston are at home to Monarchs who have only a single point to their credit. The Lanarkshire side should add to their two victories so far this season against the bottom side but the points still have to be won.

The women`s Premiership has one play-off style encounter, that is 2v3 Edinburgh University visiting Clydesdale Western at Titwood.

The likely outcome looks tight if you consider the statistics. Points-wise there is nothing in it, the Edinburgh students are three points ahead but Clydesdale have a game in hand – and that will be played out on Sunday away to Grange.

Further, Edinburgh have certainly scored more goals in their seven matches – 51 to be precise. But then again Clydesdale`s defence has been stingy conceding only two goals in total.

So how does Clydesdale`s coach Derek Forsyth view proceedings this season? He said, “The season has gone as well as we could have hoped although we were very disappointed in our performance against Wildcats.” Clydesdale lost 1-0 to Wildcats in an earlier fixture. Over the last year Clydesdale have lost the services of a couple of key players, Jen Eadie has joined the Great Britain training squad while Fiona Semple is now coach at GHK.

Specifically on Saturday`s match, Derek said: “Edinburgh University are definitely in good form looking at their recent results. There is no doubt they will be our toughest opponents so far this season and we`ll need to be at our best to get any kind of result.”

Clydesdale did pip University to second spot in the league last season – but only just.

Photo by David McCarthy

Watsonians’ will look to hold on to pole position as they entertain an Inverleith side that have struggled a bit so far this season and occupy second bottom spot.

Fourth placed Wildcats could have a strenuous time at home to Uddingston. There is a little inconsistency in the Wildcats record, certainly the win over Clydesdale was a highlight but not so the recent defeat at the hands of Glasgow University.

Despite that, Wildcats at home could be too strong for an Uddingston side that have only won twice.

However, should Wildcats fail, GHK could move from fifth to fourth with an away win against a Dundee Wanderers side that have only managed a single point this season – yet Wanderers on Tayside could be a more difficult proposition to Wanderers away. And also Fiona Semple`s charges have won four of their seven games.

Hillhead could see themselves a favourite for the visit of Gordonians who are in tenth spot in the table. But the Aberdeen side are slowly grinding out a few points, like last weekend`s draw with Glasgow University with Heather Howie scoring from a penalty corner.

However, the Glasgow side have shown a slight bit of form recently with back to back wins over Uddingston and Grange.

The clash between Glasgow University and Grange could be a close affair, the sides are separated only by a single point and both will be looking for a victory to lie at the top of the bottom six.

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top