First phase of the Premiership campaign ends with a double header weekend

A veil was drawn over the Premiership campaign on 19 November prior to the winter break, now this weekend sees it start up again with a double header weekend.

So, what`s at stake? We are still a long way from seeing the destiny of this season`s titles but this weekend could see a shifting of the ground at the top of the men`s and women`s tables. And there is always the final make-up of the top six – that will be decided this weekend. And finally there is the drive to avoid the bottom two places with the spectre of relegation looming.

 

TOP POSITIONS

The top four sides play each other on Saturday and so there might be some movement at the apex of the women`s Premiership.

It is a big weekend for third placed Wildcats who entertain Edinburgh University at Auchenhowie, a side only a point in front of them. This has by and large been a better season for the Cats with seven wins out of the nine games played so far – the only blights being reversals against Watsonians and to Glasgow University.

Then on Sunday the Cats travel to fifth placed GHK who are only two points adrift.

But coach Kaz Cuthbert is upbeat.

“We are excited to finish off the first round of games this weekend and see where we lie. There is no team we fear and we have proved that in our results. Edinburgh Uni and GHK are strong sides but I believe we have the strength and unity to beat both teams. It’ll be a tough weekend but one we are looking forward to.”

It can be misleading to use recent cup results as a guide to league form, but the Cats were 3-0 winners against Edinburgh Hockey Club while the Edinburgh students drew 1-1 with Glasgow University only to win in the shoot-out, while GHK had the same score against Hillhead but then lost their shoot-out.

Watsonians have won all nine games and are five points in front, but have the perilous trip to Titwood to face a Clydesdale Western side under new management.

Coach Derek Forsyth has stood down and Olympian Wendy Justice has taken up the coaching reigns on an interim basis.

Wendy has just returned from Cambrai with a bronze medal and promotion on the Euro indoor front, now she turns her attention quickly to the outdoor Premiership. So how does she relish the prospect?

“The great thing is I know this group of players and the vast majority know me, and we are all very much on the same page in respect of achievement ambition and collective understanding of just what it takes, commitment and dedication wise, in order to achieve.”

So what about Watsonians on Saturday? Wendy sums up the occasion.

“I see it as the team which has the best game intelligence to recognise early where the space is, the skills set ability to be able to penetrate into the identified space and at speed, and the vision and skills set to deliver the best outcome options in the attacking circle, that will win on Saturday.

“We have enough senior experienced players to deliver in this regard, so providing they focus on delivering their ‘A’ game, this game is ours for the taking.”

But Watsonians` record this season has been impressive, 100% in the league and on their last visit to Titwood on Scottish Cup business they came away with a narrow 1-0 win courtesy of Ellie Stott.

Then on Sunday Clydesdale visit Inverleith while Watsonians entertain sixth placed Hillhead.

The clash between Western Wildcats and Edinburgh University is the game-of-the-day on Saturday in the men`s Premiership. As it stands the champions are three points ahead of the Edinburgh students and one behind Grange, so Vishal Marwaha`s charges need the three points to avoid losing ground on the leaders.

Vishal did confirm that striker Andrew McConnell would be fit for the occasion after a leg injury at the recent Euro indoor. He was on the pitch for some of the time against Inverleith in the Scottish Cup and scored a couple of goals. For the record Fraser Moran is in fine striking form just now with four goals last weekend.

So what about Edinburgh University? Well they are unbeaten in the league with six victories and three draws against Watsonians, Grange and Clydesdale – not a bad record! But last weekend they fell slightly from grace losing 2-0 to Grange in the Scottish Cup – their first reversal of the season. Player/coach Hamish Imrie had this take on Saturday`s clash.

“Western are Scottish Champions for a reason they are a top side with some key individuals, but we are in a really good position as a club and progressing nicely but sadly dropping some points at the end of the first half of the season was annoying but still undefeated. We will go for the win as always.”

If the Edinburgh students have any title aspirations they cannot afford to drop all three points at Auchenhowie on Saturday. A win here would put them level with Western in second spot.

Whatever the result at Auchenhowie Grange will hope to be the benefactor as they aim to pick up their three points at home to Hillhead. The Premiership leaders have only dropped two points all campaign so far, and will hope to continue that successful trend on Saturday.

However, Hillhead are on a mission for a top six place following the split and they need all the points they can get this weekend to achieve that target – so there is an incentive there.

Sunday`s fixtures should take the pressure off the top sides – Grange, Western and Edinburgh University take on ESM, FMGM Monarchs and Dunfermline Carnegie respectively – three points all round should be on the menu for the leaders.

Similarly for the women`s title aspirants Watsonians, Edinburgh University and Clydesdale against Hillhead, Grange and Inverleith, although Wildcats have their visit to GHK.

 

TOP SIX AT SPLIT

The race for the top six sides for the women`s Premiership has Watsonians, Edinburgh University, Wildcats, Clydesdale Western, GHK and Hillhead in the mix – the latter are five points ahead of seventh Grange, and with a better goal difference. Although still mathematically possible for Grange to catch Hillhead they would have to take the full six points against Gordonians on Saturday and then Edinburgh University – possible but challenging.

And that would presuppose that Hillhead took nothing from their outings against GHK and Watsonians. Last weekend the Scottish Cup tie between GHK and Hillhead ended in a 1-1 draw in normal time, a repeat of that result would just about do it for the latter`s security in the top six.

Glasgow University are six points adrift of Hillhead and have a chance of making the top six if they can take full points at home to Uddingston and then away to Dundee Wanderers, with other results going their way.

As it stands the men`s top six are Grange, Western, Edinburgh University, Clydesdale, Watsonians and Inverleith with Hillhead champing at the bit on the same points as Inverleith but with a poorer goal difference.

But then again only two points cover Hillhead and also Clydesdale, Watsonians and Inverleith – so it is tight.

As mentioned already, Hillhead face leaders Grange on Saturday, three points could be at a premium there, and on Sunday are at home to Watsonians, and that could be a tester also.

Inverleith, also on 15 points, are at home to Clydesdale who are two points ahead, and then away to Uddingston.

Both Clydesdale and Watsonians will hope to pick up some safety points over the weekend to sustain their top six status.

 

 

THE LOWER SIX

Avoiding the bottom two places is the name of the game in the lower echelons of the division – occupied at the moment by Monarchs and ESM in the men`s Premiership. The former would have to work hard to take something from their outings against Watsonians and Western while ESM, fresh from their Scottish Cup victory over Hillhead last weekend, visit Uddingston and then host Grange – not easy either!

Kelburne and Dunfermline Carnegie are a few points ahead and meet head-to-head on Saturday in Fife – points will be gleaned here for either or both of these sides to aid the read to safety.

In the women`s competition Dundee Wanderers occupy bottom spot with a single point while Inverleith are a couple of points ahead, and the two sides meet on Tayside on Saturday. Ironically, Gordonians and Uddingston are on five and six points respectively and they also meet head-to-head in Aberdeen. So there might be some ground shifting in this region of the league also.

 

 

MIDWEEK RESULT

Glasgow University moved up to seventh in the Premiership table with a 1-0 win over Uddingston at Glasgow Green on Thursday evening.

The result still keeps the students in touch with a top six place, they are only three points behind Hillhead but now with a game more played.

It was goalless for most of the contest but in the final minutes Glasgow put the Uddingston defence under pressure and with five seconds left in the game a cross from Georgia Smith was plucked out of the air by Dara Devine, and she followed up by slotting the ball into the net for the winner, and a vital victory.

 

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