Inverleith and Glasgow University make the top six

The final top six spot in the women`s Premiership was up for grabs yesterday – Hillhead currently in sixth spot were two and three points ahead of Grange and Glasgow University respectively.

The countdown started at 11.30 when Grange dropped out of the equation after going down 5-0 to second placed Edinburgh University. Jika Nyirenda was top scorer with a double while Zara Kennedy, Louise Campbell and Amy Brodie added the rest.

Then on to the Glasgow students – they beat bottom side Dundee Wanderers 10-2…and that put the pressure on Hillhead as the students drew level on 15 points but now the goal difference was only three. Dara Devine was top scorer with a hat-trick, both Catriona Humphrey and Rhiannon Carr scored twice while there were also goals for Imogen Shields, Corrie Hay and Natasha Glasson. Rhiannon Carr scored the goal of the game – she took the ball from the half-way line, along the baseline, rounded the keeper and scored – not bad at all!

And now – how would Hillhead react?

Hillhead reacted with courage against leaders Watsonians but to no avail after going down 5-2. The Premiership leaders were three up at half-time, Bethan Mann opened at a rebound at a penalty corner, Katie Stott scored from the spot and Sarah Jamieson added another. Jamieson scored again along with Milly Berndes-Cade for a 5-0 lead. But back came Hillhead with goals from Emma Blackstock and Nisha Kohli-Lynch to take the score to 5-2 in the end.

Hillhead`s Jenny Sinclair said at the end of the game: “It was an absolute shift from us and a great team performance.”

While that might have been a good score line under normal circumstances, it was not enough to preserve Hillhead`s top six status.

It could not have been tighter – Hillhead and Glasgow University were level on points and on goal difference but the students moved up to sixth after scoring 23 goals to Hillhead`s 18 – so congratulations to the Glasgow students.

Wildcats moved back to third in the table after a narrow 1-0 win over GHK, in the closing minutes Kate Holmes buried a penalty corner for the winner. As a result GHK fall back to fifth but very much in the mix at the top.

Wildcats` coach Kaz Cuthbert said: “It was a closely contested game across the middle of the pitch but few opportunities were created in either circle.”

Clydesdale Western moved back to fourth on goal difference from GHK after a 2-1 win at Inverleith. Emma McGregor with a reverse stick shot and Anna Winter following a cross from Holly Steiger scored for Clydesdale while Rachel Campbell got Inverleith`s strike.

At the other end of the table Gordonians remain in second bottom spot after losing 4-3 at home to Uddingston. The Aberdonians scorers were a double for Gracie Gray Giles and Heather Howie got the other.

The men`s top six placings was much less complicated. Inverleith and Hillhead were both on 15 points but the former had a better goal difference.

The situation was eased when Hillhead went down 4-0 to Watsonians to leave them on 15 points.

Meanwhile, a little later Inverleith sealed their top six place with a 4-1 win over Uddingston. Kyle Taylor topped with a brace while Charlie Jack and Livio Belotti also scored, Ged Campbell got Uddingston`s only strike.

Inverleith head coach Paul Taylor commented: “It’s a big win to confirm our top six status which the men haven`t done in a long time. We’re looking to build on some good performances this weekend for the rest of the season.”

Western continued their goal scoring exploits with a 9-0 win over bottom side Monarchs in Dundee. It was 4-0 at the break with two goals each for Rob Harwood and Fraser Moran. The goals continued to flow in the second half with Harwood getting another two while Andrew McAllister, Fraser Calder and Euan Cowan got the others.

The game was also momentous for a penalty save from keeper Gavin Sommerville and a debut appearance for youngster Ruairidh O`Toole.

Manager James Moran summed up: “Western had dominance in possession with Monarchs defending deep. Lots of missed opportunities to score more.”

Edinburgh University confirmed their third spot with a convincing 8-1 win over Dunfermline Carnegie. Iain McFadden scored twice while the others were singles from John Stephen, Cameron McFadden, Alex Wilson, Ross Fleming, Robbie Croll and Michael Trimble.

An Andrew McAllan hat-trick was the highlight of Clydesdale`s 7-3 win over Kelburne at Titwood. Jamie Green got a couple and there were goals for Euan Lindsay and Adam Docherty while Sam Hunt, Miles Goldie and Hector Hall were on target for the Paisley side. The result is that Clydesdale remain in fourth spot in the table.

Finally, Grange remain in pole position in the Premiership with a 9-0 result over ESM.

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