Bumper Double Header Weekend Ahead for Watsonians in Men’s Premiership

Watsonians seem to be going from strength to strength in the men`s Premiership  – but now they have a double header against Edinburgh University on Saturday and Western Wildcats the following day.

If Dan Coultas` charges can emerge with six points here, then there`s no saying how far the Edinburgh side can go. But the two games against the sides fourth and top will be a real test of their resolve.

However, they did see off Grange last weekend with player/coach Coultas himself getting the winning strike at a fourth quarter penalty corner.

Given that Wildcats beat Edinburgh University 3-2 at Peffermill, albeit with another belated winner, you would imaging that Sunday`s clash at Auchenhowie would be the more difficult hurdle. Like Watsonians, the Wildcats have won all their games so far and scoring 31 goals in the process. To get away from Auchenhowie with all three points will be an achievement indeed. Not that the Edinburgh students won`t be a handful by themselves, after all they have won five of their seven outings.

On Saturday the Wildcats could sharpen their claws against bottom side Dunfermline Carnegie while the day after Edinburgh University entertain an Uddingston side that seem capable of a variety of results.

Grange, who fell off their perch at the top of the Premiership last weekend, have the chance to pick up the bits at Uddingston and then at home to Hillhead. The former encounter could be the more tricky. The Lanarkshire side lie sixth in the table and almost took points off Western a couple of weeks ago.

ESM Lions unbeaten run extends to five games, and they now sit in fifth spot, but away to Hillhead on Saturday may not be the easiest of ventures. They strove to establish a 5-1 lead at Grove Menzieshill last weekend, before the game ended in 5-5- draw. Then comes a Clydesdale side that have only won once this season and have experienced a goal dearth – although last weekend`s double against Dundee Wanderers may have partially relieved that pressure. Six points here would certainly keep the Lions roaring.

Grove Menzieshill might keep their journey up the league table going with a double header against Clydesdale and Inverleith. However, the latter are now off the basement with a 4-3 win over Carnegie, courtesy of a hat-trick from Charlie Jack.

Interestingly there are more head to heads in the lower reaches as Dundee Wanderers take on Inverleith and then Carnegie, so there may be a reshuffle in that region.

Newly promoted Dunfermline Carnegie men are yet to register a point this season, The Fifers first appeared in the Premiership two seasons ago and impressed by making the top six split Coach Steven Glass remains positive.

“I think for us it’s about closing the gap and taking those opportunities that we are creating as in this league they are few and far between.
“We believe we are a team that is growing and playing some good hockey and sometimes you just need a little luck to get your season going and that’s where we are. But we will continue to learn, work hard and apply ourselves to the best that we can.”

Fjordhus Reivers have found their Premiership debut challenging, registering only 1 point so far, but coach Emma Pate is also optimistic.

“Six games in, and despite results, the squad are beginning to settle in and enjoy the challenge that the Premiership campaign has brought with it. The players are gradually growing in confidence and are recognising the performance benefits which come from competing against the best club sides in the country. We’ve been pleased with some of our first half performances and hope that with each week, the squad begin to sustain the intensity of their game into the latter parts of these challenging fixtures.”

After last weekend`s dramatic tussles at the top of the women`s Premiership, Saturday should see a return to business as usual.

For a start leaders Clydesdale Western will look to hold on to their perch with a trip to the Borders to face Reivers. Watsonians will make the short trip to Grange.

The game of the day should be at Peffermill where third placed Edinburgh University take on Wildcats in fifth. Both had disappointing outcomes last weekend against Clydesdale and Grange respectively and are beginning to drift back from the top two.   The situation is that neither can afford to drop any further points.

So what can we say about GHK`s perhaps unexpected 1-1 draw with Watsonians last weekend.  The Glasgow side may have fallen short on possession, pressure and scoring chances, and maybe the women`s Premiership champions were not at their best, but GHK got stuck in and came away with their reward.   Mackenzie Brown may have got the all important equalising goal but much of the praise should go to the GHK defence which was well organised and successfully frustrated the eager Watsonians strikers. Saturday sees a home tie against neighbours Hillhead who are struggling second from bottom.

Glasgow University have made a solid start to the campaign, they are in sixth place with three wins out of six games, another victory at St Andrews would push them closer to the top sides,

Uddingston and Inverleith both sit near the foot on four points, a win would take either out of the danger zone as they clash on Saturday.

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