Grove to hold their nerve

SUBWAY NATIONAL LEAGUE (WOMEN)

Milne Craig Western have not had the league crown in their
possession since 2006 and the Titwood side are putting real
pressure on Grove Menzieshill, current leaders of the Subway
national league, but it may be a year too early for Neil Menzies`
youngsters.  

Certainly Western are within a single point of the Taysiders,
but the feeling is that the champions are unlikely to drop any
further points in the final four matches.  Menzies may have to
settle for second spot and a place in Europe for the first time in
a few seasons, so the coach will regard that as a sign of real
progress.

This weekend Edinburgh University, arguably the most improved
side in the division under the aegis of player/coach Sam Judge,
come calling but it could be asking a lot of the students to take
points off Grove.   Edinburgh have made fourth place in
the table their own, but last Sunday their frailties were exposed
by Western who finished with a comfortable 3-0 victory.  
A similar fate is likely in Dundee given that the first game
between the sides ended in a 4-1 victory for Grove, Louise Carroll
(2), Louise Campbell and Ali Bell were on target that day. 
(Kilgraston School at 14.30)

But Grove have recently lost a little bit of their sparkle since
losing 2-1 to Western a few weeks ago, and certainly struggled to
overcome Giffnock last week, relying on a set piece strike from
Carroll with only four minutes left to claim the three points.

In contrast, Western are on an eleven game winning sequence, and
that should be extended against a Grange side fighting to avoid the
drop.   Although earlier in the season, Menzies` charges
only won 2-0 at Titwood, Holly Cram and Catriona Ralph were on
target.   (Peffermill at 15.00)

With recent defeats at the hands of Western and Grove, Giffnock
are firmly in third place, now four points behind their Titwood
neighbours with a game more played.  This weekend could be
another banana skin fixture away to VWS Dundee Wanderers, although
they won the initial fixture 2-1, the goals coming from Louise
Fleming and Rhona Simpson.  But the normally prolific striker
Simpson has failed to find the net in Giffnock`s previous three
outings, perhaps Wanderers will feel the backlash.

The Taysiders, who finished runners-up last season, are now
firmly in mid-table after a very up and down season to date. 
Last weekend they struggled to overcome the Wildcats and that was
followed by a single goal defeat at the hands of Glynhill
Kelburne.    (Riverside Park at 15.00)

Giffnock have more banana skins to overcome on Sunday when they
travel east to take on the Edinburgh students.   Last
time out the two sides shared an eight goal extravaganza, so the
full three points is far from guaranteed for Rhona Simpson`s
charges here either.  (Peffermill at 15.00)

The Paisley side are making a late surge with three straight
wins over Wildcats, GHK and Wanderers, and have moved up to fifth
spot.  Kelburne travel along the M8 to take on CALA  on a
tricky assignment, although last time out at Bellahouston the
Buddies won a comfortable 4-1.  (Meggetland at 14.00)

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