Premiership sets up an intriguing weekend of action

There are some attractive fixtures in the men`s Premiership this Saturday, but foremost is the top of the table clash between old rivals Grange and Western.

The carrot for the victor is pole position on their own – that is, unless it`s a draw.

If last season`s results are to form any sort of guide – then Western are undoubted favourites with two wins and a draw in the league along with a Scottish Cup victory.

And it`s yet to be seen if Western will take positive vibrations from their EHL experience last weekend and emerge an even better side from the experience.

So where does that leave Grange? We caught up with Grange coach Stevie Grubb to engage his thoughts.

On progress so far this season, Stevie said: “Yes I am pleased with our performances so far this season. The team are starting to gel and each match has seen us improve in specific areas of our game. We will continue to look for performance improvements from individuals and as a team, as we progress through the season.”

On Saturday`s encounter, Stevie went on: “I think our match with Western this weekend will be a good benchmark for us in terms of what we are trying to achieve going forward. I am sure it will be a competitive game with both sides going for the win.”

Grange-Western encounters are always lively affairs with attacking hockey all around…and plenty of goals to boot.

Whatever the result of the match of the day, it could allow the chasing pack to move up a place or two – that is if they can win their encounters.

Foremost are Edinburgh University and Clydesdale, both only two points behind the top two following their 3-3 draw at Titwood two weeks ago. Both are away to the newly promoted pair FMGM Monarchs and ESM respectively, and form would suggest they will pick up the three points. Both have perhaps too much firepower – 25 goals between them in only three games is good shooting with the student’s Keir Robb and Declan Bradley along with Clydesdale`s Ethan Robertson the top scorers.

Although the Dundee side did collect their first point in the top flight last weekend in a 3-3 draw at Dunfermline Carnegie so who knows what to expect.

The Edinburgh derby between Inverleith and Watsonians has an intriguing ring about it. There are some similarities in form, the former lost their opening games against Grange and Edinburgh University but then roared into action with a magnificent seven against Kelburne. In a similar vein, Watsonians fell to Grange in their opening encounter but followed up with back-to-back victories over Uddingston and ESM.

Perhaps we have yet to see the full potential of both sides, so Saturday`s clash may reveal some further insight on either…or both.

There is also a West coast derby involving Hillhead and Kelburne, both presently sit on three points after an up and down start to their season. This could be a difficult one to predict as there is no clear form pattern, but the three points on offer could propel the winner towards the top six.

Uddingston have had an interesting start with Western and Grange as two of their fixtures, and hardly surprising the young Lanarkshire side went down in both. In their other game they lost narrowly 3-2 to Watsonians, so Director of Hockey Harry Dunlop will be looking for a turn of fortune at home against Dunfermline Carnegie on Saturday.

A win, a loss and a draw puts the Fifers right in the middle of the table. But what is consistent about Carnegie is the scoring touch of Andrew Doyle with a goal in every game and a total of five to date – that the Uddingston defence will have to counter.

Three teams sit on nine points at the top of the women`s Premiership – Watsonians, Clydesdale Western and GHK with Edinburgh University three points behind but with a game less played. Today`s leading fixtures may see some shuffling of that pack.

Perhaps the pick of the fixtures lies at Titwood where Clydesdale, lying second in the table, welcome Wildcats three places below them.

Perhaps also Clydesdale are favourites for this one given that they have won their three matches so far whereas Wildcats fell 4-1 to champions Watsonians two weeks ago.

But head coach Kaz Cuthbert, assisted by Adam McInnes, does believe that there is a bit of a buzz about this season`s team. She said: “The Cats squad is looking really good this season with a lot more experience than last year. Getting together nicely and the few performances show that.”

There appears to be no underdog image about the Cats approach to the Clydesdale encounter. Kaz stated: “We go out hard in every game and expect to get results, Clydesdale are no different and we will be pushing hard to come home with a result this weekend.”

The pressure could be on Clydesdale who have scored twelve and only conceded one – although they only beat Hillhead by a single goal from Paz Medina – yet Derek Forsyth`s charges still contain a lot of experience and talent despite losing a few players recently. However, they might not find the Wildcats an easy challenge.

Although GHK have made an excellent start to the season – nine points from three outings simply cannot be bettered – but this Saturday`s home game against Edinburgh University will see if their promising start has solid foundations.

The Glasgow side have certain assets, new coach Fiona Semple has immense experience at the top level, and under-21 international Lucy Williamson is finding the net on a regular basis, so the ingredients are there.

But the Edinburgh students have shown some considerable firepower already this season with 15 goals in their two games so far, Hanna McKie leads the charge along with Katie Robertson, Georgia Jones and Sophie Hinds along with several others.

Watsonians top the table and certainly should still be there by Saturday evening at home to a Gordonians side that have yet to get off the ground.

Newly promoted Inverleith are on the verge of moving into the top six if they can see off Uddingston at home. The Edinburgh side broke into the limelight with their first top flight win over Hillhead last weekend and captain Eilidh Thomson will be keen to consolidate with another three points against Uddingston.

That may be far from a foregone conclusion, although the Lanarkshire side have yet to get off the mark, they have played Edinburgh University, GHK and Watsonians from the top tier. Perhaps, we have yet to see their real potential.

It is certain that Hillhead, fifth in last year`s competition, did not anticipate losing to Inverleith last weekend, in a game that Jenny Sinclair said: “We just couldn`t get into the game.” They have the chance of amends against a Glasgow University side that have several changes in personnel from last season and have only had one outing so far. And in that outing they went down 4-1 to Clydesdale Western – not much to go on there.

The final match on the card brings together Dundee Wanderers and Grange – both of whom have yet to get off the mark this season. So the points here will be welcomed by the victor.

 

 

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top