CRUNCH TIME IN THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIPS

There may still be another weekend of Premiership action still to follow, but Saturday`s matches certainly look like league deciders.

In the men’s Western host Grange at Auchenhowie with a winner-take-all feel to it. The Edinburgh side hold a single point advantage and so a draw would suit them more, not that the Grange management would be targeting that option specifically.

Honours are even between the sides, in early October Grange were 5-1 winners but last weekend it was Western`s turn for a comfortable victory, 5-0 in the Scottish Cup semi-final. Last week’s performance will be concerning for Grange’s coach, Stevie Grubb, as his side will need to find a way to stop Western’s inform Andrew McConnell.

In saying this Grange did get some much needed momentum, as they came back from the EuroHockey Trophy in Vienna with three wins out of four and a bronze medal.

Moving onto the women’s Premiership there is a confrontation between Edinburgh University and champions Watsonians.

Watsonians are level on points with the Edinburgh students but have a game in hand against Glasgow University and a nine-goal advantage. This perhaps puts pressure on Sam Judge’s side, who let a 2-1 lead slip in the third quarter to lose to Watsonians 3-2 last October.

Now let`s turn to the quest for a top four finish and a spot in the play-off semi-finals.

In the women`s competition Watsonians and Edinburgh University are already there, Wildcats are almost certain qualifiers, and the remaining place looks like a direct contest between GHK and Clydesdale Western.

At the moment GHK hold a three-point lead over Clydesdale but the sides meet head-to-head at Titwood on Saturday. Despite the wealth of talent in the Clydesdale side the results do not seem to be coming their way – only a single win against Inverleith since the restart in early March. And in the first encounter back in November GHK emerged 1-0 winners with a rebound goal from Connie Lathe.

However, as long as Clydesdale do not lose the encounter, they might still make the top four even with a draw as they have a better goal difference and play sixth placed Glasgow University in their final game whereas GHK are away to defending champions Watsonians. So, it`s all to play for!

In the men`s Grange, Western and Edinburgh University are already in the semi-final draw – the remaining place seems a direct contest between Clydesdale and Watsonians. Both sides are on 23 points although at the moment Clydesdale have a four-goal advantage and they meet each other on Saturday.

Clydesdale were emphatic winners in November with a 3-0 win – Euan Anderson, Ian King and Andrew McAllan were on target that day – but that doesn’t guarantee the same result on Saturday in Edinburgh.

Whatever the result the formal destiny of that vacant semi-final spot may not be decided until the final day where Clydesdale are at home to Inverleith and Watsonians have a local Edinburgh derby against Grange.

On to the relegation battles, FMGM Monarchs have only one point and are four adrift of Dunfermline Carnegie above them, although they do have a game in hand. The Taysiders must beat Kelburne at home on Saturday and Hillhead away on Sunday to kick start their survival bid.

Dunfermline in turn must beat ESM to avoid the relegation play-off spot. But ESM are on a high at the moment, seven points in their last three league games have greatly eased their survival worries. They are now six points ahead of Dunfermline and they are in the Scottish Cup final for the first time in the club`s history after a convincing 4-1 win over Grove Menzieshill.

The scenario at the foot of the women`s Premiership is very similar – with only one point Dundee Wanderers look in trouble, Inverleith are five points ahead and look set for the play-off spot while Gordonians are almost safe on eleven points. On Saturday Inverleith travel to Aberdeen and only a win here will give them any chance of avoiding eleventh spot – otherwise Gordonians will survive another season in the top flight.

Wanderers welcome Uddingston with a special performance required, especially as they have yet to record a win all season.

 

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