Wanderers and Grove vie for top spot

INDOOR NATIONAL LEAGUE  –  WOMEN        STIRLING SPORTS VILLAGE

Carmin Dow, Dundee Wanderers` experienced international goalkeeper, sees nine points over this weekend`s three games as the ultimate target, not just beating Grove Menzieshill in the top of the table clash in the women`s indoor first division.    Wanderers and Grove are locked together at the top of the table, but the former just shade it on goal difference at the moment.

“Grove is the big game, but Kelburne and CALA can always be tricky on their day.   I think if we stick to our game plan ,as we did last weekend, we can come away with three victories,” said Dow.

Wanderers overcame a big hurdle last weekend with a 4-2 victory over Milne Craig Western.    Dow said: “As predicted the game with Western was a tough challenge, but I felt it was a comfortable win.   We should have put away more of the chances we created and the two goals they scored come from our errors rather than anything else.”

However you look at it, the Grove game is the biggest challenge to Wanderers` title aspirations.    “Grove had a different squad last weekend from the previous week, so it`s difficult to know what to expect on Sunday.   I imagine that they will make sure they have a strong side to face us.  As always, Grove`s strength is their experienced players,”  said Dow.

That means that Dow and her colleagues will have to frustrate the scoring potential of the likes of Nikki Kidd, especially from the set piece, Ali Bell and Ailsa Wyllie, who have been regular contributors to the Grove scoresheet.      For Wanderers much may depend on the wiles of playmaker Vikki Bunce and the penalty corner expertise of Sam Sangster.    Dow`s charges will be on the usual lines, but illness will prevent Jude McMullan playing and Amy Rowan is still out with a broken thumb.

Kat Cameron shared Dow`s views on the nature of Sunday`s assignments.   “It would be naive of us to think we only had one big game this weekend, last week`s close result against Kelburne proved the need to perform in every game.”

The clear message here is never take any game for granted, Grove found themselves 5-2 down against bottom side Kelburne with 13 minutes left, the champions rallied to win 6-5 in the end, but it could have been so different.

However, Cameron conceded that the Wanderers game will be a real test of her squad`s resolve.   “Wanderers are the indoor specialists of the league, but the most important thing for us is to focus on ourselves.”

Grove also have a busy day with their other games against Inverleith and Western.  Cameron conceded:  “In previous years our games with Western have always been a close affair, so we will need to ensure we are ready to perform right from the first whistle.”  

The other big game of the day is the direct confrontation between Western and CALA, the latter`s revival under Lee Pendreigh could sink or swim on the outcome of this encounter.   Last week neither side make much of a dent in the Dundee hegemony, CALA lost 6-3 to Grove while Western went down 4-2 to Wanderers.

Form and recent history would suggest that the Dundee stranglehold will still be there at the end of Sunday, but there are a few potentially fatal banana skins lurking along the way.

Wildcats, now with international Kaz Marshall in the ranks, have emerged as the top side in the bottom four after back to back wins over Glynhill Kelburne and Granite City Wanderers last weekend.   They are unlikely to take much from the first match against Western, but three points from the following encounter with Inverleith would consolidate their mid-table position.  

Perhaps one of the surprises of this season so far is the apparent demise of Kelburne, last season they finished fifth but now they hold up the table, the only side yet to break their duck.    The Paisley side have lacked a bit of luck, they lost two games by 6-5 last week.    Against Wildcats Marshall scored the winner from the spot with only two minutes left, and against champions Grove they led 5-2 with 13 minutes on the clock.  Kelburne are in desperate need of points, Dundee Wanderers in the first game are unlikely to yield much, but next up Granite City Wanderers is now emerging as a crucial encounter for the Paisley side`s survival.

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