Who will win Women’s National League 1 on the final day of the season?

It’s the final week of competition and many issues around titles and relegation have already been settled, but there are still some outstanding matters to be resolved.

None more so than the destiny of the women`s National League 1 title, it will go down to the wire as four teams are in the mix.

After last weekend`s results Clydesdale Western and Edinburgh University are locked on 41 points, the former have the advantage on a goal difference of six. Only three points adrift are Dundee Wanderers and Western Wildcats with an outside chance of the top spot.

In reality, Western and Edinburgh are strong favourites to contest the title, either of them could only need a point against Dundee Wanderers and Hillhead respectively.

Clydesdale`s form has been a little up and down recently – they were held to a 1-1 draw by Glasgow University and lost a league and cup double to Edinburgh University – nevertheless they may remain narrow favourites for the title if they can see off Wanderers at Titwood.

However, they did lose the first league encounter on Tayside, downed by an Emily Dark hat-trick, while Millie Steiger and Lexi Sabatelli replied for the Glasgow side.

Wanderers’ progress up the table has been based on an unbeaten run since the winter shutdown…they need to maintain that sequence to reap the rewards.

The crunch encounter at Titwood should be an entertaining and high-scoring affair, both sides have several sharp shooters in their ranks.

While Edinburgh`s Sam Judge will be interested in the Titwood outcome, her charges must not take their eye off the task in hand against Hillhead – they need to win, and probably win by several goals to overcome the goal difference deficit.

Last time out the champions triumphed 7-2, Zara Malseed (4) along with Sophie Maunder (2) and Louise Campbell were on target, but this time that might still not be enough. It is not that easy to chase goals when you have to. In addition, Hillhead are on the back of two wins over Grange and Glasgow University, and have made seventh place their own.

The rest of the women`s affairs are settled – Watsonians and Grove Menzieshill are safe in mid-table, while Hillhead, Glasgow University and GHK will join either Aberdeen Standard Merlin Gordonians or Erskine Stewarts Melville from National League 2 to challenge for top flight status next season.

25 November 2018 at Auchenhowie. Scottish National League 1 match – Western Wildcats v Grove Menzieshill – photo by Duncan Gray

In the men`s league Grange are already champions, the runners-up spot is between Western Wildcats and Grove Menzieshill. The former have a two point lead and will be out to take the three points away to Watsonians. However, the Taysiders have a game in hand, their catch-up game is against Watsonians on Thursday evening, then they take on the champions Grange on Saturday on Tayside.

This season Grove Menzieshill`s form has encompassed some impressive results and the odd surprise – witness last weekend`s 5-0 reversal at the hands of Edinburgh University. The recent absence through injury of Scotland striker Cameron Golden has not helped their cause.

However, the race for fourth place is full of endless possibilities, but Uddingston have emerged favourite with a crucial two point lead over both Edinburgh University and Clydesdale. Their destiny lies in their own hands with two home games left, three points from Thursday evening`s home game against Hillhead and same again against Kelburne on Saturday would secured the top four place..

The foundation of the Lanarkshire side`s rise in the ranks has been a four match unbeaten run which has propelled them up the table.

Should Uddingston fail to deliver, Edinburgh University is waiting to pick up the challenge, they also have two games left with Hillhead away on Saturday and Gordonians on Sunday.

Clydesdale are dark horses in the race for fourth place, they will hope to pick up three points at home to Gordonians, but they have only one game left.

Watsonians and Kelburne will join either Dunfermline Carnegie or Inverleith from the lower tier in the play-offs. At present Hillhead are in seventh spot but that could change if they can take full points from their remaining fixtures against Uddingston and Edinburgh University.

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