Simpson threat to Western revival

With Grove Menzieshill already with their noses in front
in the women`s Subway national league after only three games, as
last season it could be the battle for the runners-up spot and the
other place in Europe that could hold the greatest
fascination.

Having beaten both Giffnock and Milne Craig Western, both by
4-1, the champions should find little problem in seeing off Grange
this weekend.   The gap between the sides seems
substantial, Grove have scored fifteen goals so far this season,
Grange have yet to break their duck in front of goal, but the
latter did manage a 0-0 draw against the improving Western Wildcats
in their opening fixture.

That illusive second spot is the target for Neil Menzies, coach
of Milne Craig Western, as he leads his charges against Giffnock in
the game of the day.

“A realistic aim for us is to finish second, to achieve that we
need to keep on improving as well as being more efficient against
the top teams.  Certainly a win against Giffnock on Saturday
is essential in that regard,” said Menzies.

Perhaps Grove last week was a bridge too far as yet for Menzies`
young squad, but the former Scottish internationalist is far from
downcast.  “The positives from that game come from the fact
that we were more competitive than we were this time last year, and
allied to that I thought that some of our younger players showed
that they have improved significantly since last season.”

Last year Giffnock completed the double over their close
neighbours, the first game ended 4-2, the return was 3-2, most of
the goals coming from Susan Bruce and the former Olympian Rhona
Simpson, although Western gained some revenge by knocking Giffnock
out of the Scottish Cup.

But Menzies has recognised the potential danger posed by
Giffnock.  “Their main threat comes from the goal scoring
potential of Rhona Simpson and the strength of Kaz
Marshall.   Also they will be well organised and highly
motivated, but may lack a little in terms of the depth of their
squad.”

Simpson scored four and Marshall two in Giffnock`s 6-1 victory
over GHK a fortnight ago, but without the double Olympian last
weekend, Giffnock drew a blank in a goalless draw with
Kelburne.

“I think the game will be pretty close as Western are very
different from last year, I think they will play as expected and it
may come down to who makes the mistakes and who takes their
chances,” remarked the Giffnock player/coach.  
“Western`s main threat is that they are a young team with players
who want to do well, they are keen to improve and develop which
will drive them forward.   But under pressure they may
find it challenging and it will depend a lot how they cope with
that pressure if we can apply that.”

Giffnock look to have a full squad available with the return of
the playmaker Simpson, but Western will be without the injured
Bethan Mann and there is still doubt over the fitness of
international striker Holly Cram.    (14.00hrs at
Hutchesons` Grammar school)

On Sunday Western play their catch-up fixture against Edinburgh
University who started their campaign with a 2-2 draw with
CALA.  (15.30hrs at Titwood)

VWS Dundee Wanderers seem to have found their sea legs after a
slow start and finished off Grange 6-0 last weekend, the goals
coming from Heather Elder (3), Julie Bryce (2) and Amy Rowan from a
penalty corner.

“As always we want to improve on last year, so we will be
looking to be in contention to top the league, but our start was
always going to be problematical as the league started before our
students got back, but it`s now starting to come together,” said
Iain Strachan, Wanderers` coach.

This weekend CALA Edinburgh come to Tayside on Saturday on the
back of one point in three games so far.   “CALA have not
had the best of starts but are always a tough side and a handful,
they will be looking for their first win, so we will have to be on
our toes.  I think we carry too big a threat to lose, but the
challenge of turning potential into points is always there,” said
Strachan.    Wanderers are currently second to Grove
in the table, and should remain there on Saturday
evening.    (15.00hrs at Riverside)

Glynhill Kelburne`s confrontation with Western Wildcats could be
an interesting affair – the clash between a side that seems to be
struggling to find some solid form against the Wildcats who have
shown steady improvement by clawing four points from their opening
three fixtures and only losing by the odd goal in five to Dundee
Wanderers.    (15.00hrs at Bellahouston)

GHK won their opening fixture 2-1 against Kelburne, but have
since succumbed to Giffnock and the Wildcats in succeeding
weeks.  Fiona Donald`s squad have the chance to resume their
winning ways against an Edinburgh University side that drew 2-2
with CALA in their opening fixture.

The men`s league programme goes into a week`s cold storage on
account of the under 16 and under 18 inter-districts tournament to
be held in Edinburgh over the weekend

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top