Huge weekend in National League 1

Western Wildcats are the kings of the jungle in Men’s National League 1 so far – they have full points from the four games played, but the visit of Grange to their den at Auchenhowie will test their credentials as realistic candidates for this year`s title.

Although the Wildcats have yet to face the biggest guns in the competition, they have emerged with full points from their encounters with Hillhead, Uddingston, Dundee Wanderers and Inverleith.

The result is they share top spot with Grange with the Wildcats having a slightly superior goal difference.

Western Wildcats in National League 1
Photo by Duncan Gray

So is Wildcats` coach Harry Dunlop approaching the Grange clash with trepidation or confidence? He gave little away: “The squad is very much up for this week`s match against Grange and we’re all looking forward to the home fixture.”

There is no doubt that the Auchenhowie side are on the ascendancy, after a lukewarm start to last season`s campaign they finished in style taking fourth spot in the final league table, and only losing out on a penalty shoot-out to Kelburne in the European play-offs after a draw in normal time.

But games between Wildcats and Grange are notoriously unpredictable irrespective of where the two sides are in the league table. Dunlop agreed: “I think that this year`s fixture will be no different, it will be a close match.”

The last encounter between the rivals was dramatic, Grange needed only a win at Fettes to take the championship and were leading 2-0 into the second half. But the Wildcats roared back into proceedings, scored three goals to take the contest, and leave the Edinburgh side crestfallen.

The Wildcats have certainly piled in the goals in the last couple of weeks with Andrew McConnell, Andrew McAlister, Rob Harwood and Hamish Gault from set pieces all on target.

Grange have also come through their early league programme without dropping any points, but coach David Knipe knows that there is still work to be done before his charges are close to the finished article.

The Edinburgh outfit have dominated their games so far in the sense of possession, pressure and chances created, but converting superiority into goals is another matter. Knipe remarked on the matter: “It certainly isn`t the only thing, we have lot of things to improve on – but one being decision making in the circle.”

However, Grange do have strikers with some form in the circle, teenager Callum Mackenzie, Frank Ryan and Luke Cranney, it will be interesting to see if they increase their potency in the Wildcats` circle on Saturday.

Champions Bromac Kelburne have slipped back to third place following their 2-2 draw with Grove Menzieshill, but coach Gordon Shepherd will be determined to take the three points from the visit to Dundee Wanderers as well as taking advantage of points dropped by either Western or Grange, or perhaps both.

Clydesdale have moved up to fifth in the table courtesy of back-to-back 2-1 victories over Edinburgh University and Uddingston, on Saturday coach Calum McLeod will hope to move further up the division with another three points at Inverleith. That scenario would leapfrog the Titwood side over Grove Menzieshill into a top four place, as the Taysiders are not in action this weekend.

In the final game on Saturday`s men’s card Edinburgh University are at home to Hillhead who have yet to put any points on the board. While a student`s victory is the obvious prediction, Hillhead`s pointless status does not really reflect the quality of their play – in their last two fixtures they only lost 3-2 to both Grange and Kelburne, and on both occasions they succumbed to a late winner.

Western Wildcats Clydesdale Western in National League 1
Photo by Duncan Gray

There is a competitive edge about the top of Women`s National League 1, Wildcats are the only side with a perfect record after four games, but Grove Menzieshill are two points behind with Edinburgh University and Milne Craig Clydesdale Western one further adrift. The safe money might be on there being no change to this as the top four all play sides from the lower reaches of the division, but anything can happen in National League.

Wildcats are at home to Grange who have certainly picked up three points against Hillhead but have also conceded 16 goals in their four games to date. The Auchenhowie side`s strength seems to be at the back under the aegis of player/coach Kaz Cuthbert and keeper Danie McMurray. It is difficult to imagine Wildcats surrendering their unbeaten record on Saturday.

Grove Menzieshill have put themselves into the mix for a title challenge after a 3-1 victory over champions Edinburgh University last week.

Scotland striker Sarah Jamieson is certainly putting herself about in the Grove vanguard, seven strikes in four outings is good shooting. However, she is not the only provider with schoolgirl Jenny Walls and Scotland internationalist Katie Robertson also among the goals. This weekend Grove Menzieshill are away to GHK at Old Anniesland.

Edinburgh University Coach Sam Judge will have the task of rebuilding the students’ confidence after their first reversal of the season against Grove Menzieshill. Fortunately they are at home to Hillhead and will hope the recovery process will not be too painful.

Western got themselves back on the rails with a seven-goal victory over GHK last weekend, while this weekend’s opponents Watsonians could suffer a similar fate at Titwood. However, the Edinburgh side might put up stronger opposition, they sit in mid-table with six points already under their belt.

Dundee Wanderers are only a couple of points off top four status and will look to keep up the pressure with a home win over Kelburne. The Taysiders are capable of rattling in the goals, doubles from Amy Snell and Charlotte Watson was the foundation of the 4-1 win over Grange in Dundee last weekend.

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