Big weekend before outdoor winter break – league and cup double header

After last weekend`s flurry of top Premiership encounters in both leagues, the trend continues with this Saturday`s Women’s Premiership clash between fifth placed GHK and Clydesdale Western in third spot at Old Anniesland.

Derek Forsyth, Clydesdale`s coach, hinted that there was more to come from his charges when he evaluated the 1-1 draw with Edinburgh University. He said: “Overall we played really well so we have to be happy with the performance, but we couldn`t take advantage of it.”

So it will be interesting to see if his squad can maintain the performance and see off the challenge from GHK, coached by last season`s Clydesdale striker Fiona Semple – who should certainly have a strong insight into the Titwood side`s strengths and weaknesses.

Clearly one of the weaknesses is not in defence, Clydesdale have only conceded three goals in eight league outings.

The GHK management is not giving much away. Captain Carly Bisset said, “We go into each game with the same mentality that we want and can get points from it, so this weekend is no different. It`ll be tough, but we`ve been training and playing well recently, so we`re really looking forward to Saturday`s game.”

GHK have done well again this season with five wins out of eight games and are well established in fifth place. But they have yet to make an impact on the top sides – going down 4-0 to Watsonians and 8-0 to Edinburgh University. If they have aspirations of a top four place they will target picking up points against the existing top four sides.

Saturday against Clydesdale could be the start of that breakthrough.

After last weekend`s encounters Watsonians emerged as the main benefactor as their lead at the top of the women`s Premiership was extended to five points, and this weekend sees the visit of bottom side Dundee Wanderers to Peffermill. Keith Smith`s charges have already scored 61 goals in their eight games to date, and will hope to add to that goal tally and follow the 14 they scored against Inverleith last week.

Edinburgh University will look to retain second spot with a home clash against Hillhead who are well fixed in sixth spot. The Glasgow side were idle last weekend with the cancellation of their fixture against Gordonians, but their last outing brought a 2-1 win at Uddingston.

Western Wildcats are on a bit of a roll with four victories in their last five fixtures, and that included a 1-0 win at Clydesdale, consequently they now occupy fourth spot in the table. Rachel Bain has been on target with five goals during that period with Becky Ward and Alex Stuart also pitching in. Fourth spot could be further confirmed if the Cats travel to meet Gordonians in Aberdeen on Saturday and return with the three points.

Grange are top of the bottom six with seven points and to retain that status they will have to win the three points at Uddingston, which might not be that easy.

Finally, Glasgow University have been picking up a few points recently with that famous win over Western Wildcats and a couple of draws, so will be hoping to continue their progress up the division with the three points away to second bottom Inverleith – they may still be shellshocked after their 14 goal lesson from Watsonians, but on the other hand they might be ready burst back with a bang.

Only two points separate Grange, Western and Edinburgh University at the top of the men`s Premiership after eight games – so it could hardly be more competitive.

However, the top three are becoming a bit detached from the chasing pack headed by Watsonians and Clydesdale.

Grange survived their tussle with the Edinburgh students, but only through a late equaliser by Duncan Riddell for a 3-3 draw – exactly the same method they used to see off Clydesdale a few weeks before.

If Grange were relieved, it was a contrary emotion that gripped the students. Edinburgh captain Iain McFadden summed it up, “It was very disappointing and frustrating to have dropped to third in the league after having been 26 seconds from going top of the league.”

On Saturday it`s bottom v top as Grange travel to Dundee to face FMGM Monarchs, with the leaders looking to preserve their lead over Western.

Western go up against Kelburne at Glasgow Green, and will do so with confidence as they put eight past Clydesdale last week with Andrew McConnell and Rob Harwood in hat-trick form.

Despite last weekend`s disappointment Edinburgh University are still only two points adrift at the top and must pick themselves up to take on neighbours Watsonians on Saturday.

Iain McFadden has a positive approach to the occasion, “This weekend`s game against Watsonians is another important game with three points up for grabs. I believe that if we trust in our ability as a squad we will create plenty of goal scoring opportunities, and if we have pride in our defensive standards we can win the game.”

It seems to be win or lose with Watsonians, they have won five of their fixtures to date but also lost to Grange, Western and Clydesdale… and that without scoring a goal. But they are on course for captain Tom Swarbrick`s target of a top four place, so will be keen to take something from their encounter with the high-scoring students.

Should Watsonians falter then Clydesdale are waiting in the stalls to reclaim fourth spot if they can win over Dunfermline Carnegie at Titwood. Although Clydesdale did suffer a bit of a dent to their aspirations last weekend at Auchenhowie, the Fifers have been leaking goals all season, their 54 “against” column is the highest in the league.

Inverleith and Hillhead are jousting for sixth spot, both are on twelve points with the former in occupancy by dint of a narrow goal difference.

The Edinburgh side are away to second bottom side ESM, after putting ten past Dunfermline last weekend, Charlie Jack was again on target with a hat-trick taking his total to a dozen for the season. Yet ESM came close to adding to their three point tally last week against Hillhead, only to falter by the odd goal in seven.

Hillhead are at home to Uddingston who are only two points behind them – so this could be a close encounter. The Lanarkshire side have been picking up vital points in more recent times with ten in the last five outings. On the other hand, Hillhead continue to have a mid-table experience with four wins and four losses, three points on Saturday would lift them out of that rut.

Sunday hosts the next round of the Scottish Cup and the draw has been distinctly unkind to Premiership sides.

In the men`s competition half the ties are all-Premiership with four top six sides in direct conflict. At Titwood Clydesdale entertain Edinburgh University for the second time this season, the league encounter ended in a 3-3 draw, Andrew Allan levelling for the home side in the closing exchanges. Another close one envisaged here.

Then Grange take on Watsonians in an Edinburgh derby, but here the opening league match of the season ended in a five goal victory for the Premiership leaders. But will it be so positive for Grange this time round?

The other Premiership ties see Inverleith face Uddingston and Hillhead are at home to Dunfermline Carnegie.

Kelburne`s home game against Dundee Wanderers has the ingredients for a classic – a side in the bottom half of the first division against the side second from top in the second tier who have scored 55 goals in eight games. But Wanderers lost their unbeaten record 5-1 to Glasgow University last weekend, so will need a bounce back against the Premiership opposition. And the same Glasgow students take on ESM, second bottom in the Premiership, and so there is the opportunity that a top flight outfit could well bite the dust. These games will be tasty.

Holders Western are away to St Andrews University while National League leaders Grove Menzieshill take on Highland who are third from bottom.

There is also a giant match in the women`s cup…and that is at Titwood where Clydesdale Western are at home to league and cup holders Watsonians. No league result to help here, but Watsonians have sailed through the season so far without even a hint of a reversal. Clydesdale Western will meet them head on with this one a fixture to watch in the cup.

Edinburgh University and Western Wildcats will aim for progress in the tournament, while Hillhead face Fjordhus Reivers who are third in the second tier and GHK are away to the Edinburgh student`s second string – the Premiership pair may have to work for their place in the next round.

Ties played earlier – Orkney 1 Edinburgh HC 2 + Watsonians 2s 1 Glasgow University 4.

 

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