TOP SIDES CONTEST INDOOR GALA FINALS

The indoor season has come down to the wire at the GALA FINALS DAY at Perth on Saturday. And the top sides are there head to head for the championship and a place in Europe next season.

In the women`s Watsonians are up against champions Clydesdale Western while men`s champions Western play Inverleith. You may analyse league and group form to work out which sides on paper may have the advantage – but in reality, it will come down to which sides perform on the day.

That being the case, we asked captains/coaches how they rated their chances on Saturday.

Watsonians and Clydesdale are both unbeaten with similar records in the women`s competition so far – the Edinburgh side have certainly scored more goals with Scotland striker Sarah Jamieson in lethal form.

And the head-to-head last month epitomised the parity between the teams with a 2-2 draw. In fact, it was Sarah Jamieson who gave Watsonians the lead that day four minutes into the second half, but back came Clydesdale with quick-fire strikes from Millie Steiger and Margery Justice for a 2-1 lead. But with five minutes left penalty corner expert Emily Dark tied the score at 2-2.

Watsonians coach Keith Smith`s remarks contained a combination of respect for Clydesdale but also a bout of optimism.

“Clydesdale Western have been the team to beat indoor for the past few years. They’ve had a run of championship wins and will obviously be desperate to defend that, but they’re also well aware of the goal-scoring threat we pose and will know they’ll have to be at their very best to try and keep us out.”

Watsonians almost made it last season but went down 2-1 to Western in the crucial game. If the Edinburgh side triumph on Saturday it would be their first indoor crown and first shot at European indoor competition – so a lot to play for.

While Clydesdale may not be rifling in the goals to the same extent, their defensive game is distinctly stingy – only six goals conceded in eleven games to date, so Watsonians may find it harder to find the net on Saturday.

Clydesdale coach Wendy Justice put in her penny-piece.

“We acknowledge and accept that the forthcoming final is going to be a good, competitive contest against another very committed indoor game exponent. It is clear that both Watsonians and Clydesdale Western have prepared and committed well in pursuit of this title, and we are certain that both will give of their very best on the day, intent on making the final a real spectacle to be enjoyed by all and a great advert for this fabulous game.”

And so on to the men`s final where again it is almost impossible to predict the outcome.

Western have lost two games during the campaign. They went down 5-4 to Inverleith in the league encounter, Kyle Taylor and John Stephen doing the damage that day. Then there was the 4-2 reversal against Grove Menzieshill in the group stage, and Western only topped the group on a very slender goal difference at the end of the day.

Western won the title last season by sweeping all before them, this season has not been quite so dramatic…but underestimate this season`s Wildcats at your peril.

We caught up with Western`s captain Rob Harwood who put a very positive slant on proceedings.

“We are feeling confident going into the game on Saturday. We feel our best form is still to come this season and will look to reach our full potential in Saturday`s final. Inverleith are a strong indoor side and it’ll be an excellent occasion. To win our third indoor title in four seasons would be a brilliant achievement for the club and it’s a challenge the team are relishing.”

So what of Inverleith. Coach Stuart Neave, along with captain Stephen Dick, have moulded the Edinburgh side into a very polished indoor side, reminiscent of the side that won six Scottish titles between 2011 and 2020.

And Inverleith have done what Western did last season – win all their games.

The Inverleith coach responded to the question about his side`s chances on Saturday with a combination of confidence and caution.

He said:”We are obviously delighted to be in another final. The team have been playing well this season, however anything can happen in a one-off match. Hopefully Inverleith and Western can provide an exciting game for the spectators.”

However, if it`s goals you`re after as a neutral by-stander, then the contest between the free-scoring pair of Western`s Andrew McConnell and Inverleith`s Kyle Taylor could be a treat.

Earlier in the day, survival is on the agenda. The team that finished seventh in division 1 will pit their skills against the second tier`s runners-up with a place in next season`s top flight at stake. So first up Edinburgh HC will be up against Uddingston in the women`s competition to be followed by Watsonians against Hillhead.

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