Women’s National League 1 delivers a Saturday of drama and goals

There were some great games in Women’s National League Division 1 on Saturday with the fixture list delivering on the promise of some top notch contests.

As Western Wildcats were about to celebrate a hard-fought victory over champions Edinburgh University in the rain at Auchenhowie, up popped player/coach Sam Judge with a last gasp equaliser in the women`s first division game of the day.

Catriona Booth had given the Wildcats the lead with only eight minutes left, the home celebrations were just about to erupt as the seconds ticked away, but up stepped the former Scotland striker to ruin the party.

Perhaps the most astonishing factor was that there were only two goals in the contest, both sides were committed to attack and there were a flurry of scoring opportunities at both ends in this thrilling encounter in the pouring rain.

Edinburgh had the better of the early exchanges with chances to Sophie Newton and Sarah Robertson who fired the ball over the bar. Wildcats clawed their way back into proceedings, their best opportunities fell to Rona Stuart, MacKenzie Bell and Alex Stewart.

Just on the interval Wildcats thought they’d scored the opening goal when Heather Aitken thrashed the ball into the net at her second attempt, but after discussion the umpires agreed that her first attempt had been dangerous and the strike was cancelled out.

The second half was also a ding-dong affair, but it was the Wildcats who broke the stalemate with a fair slice of luck; at a not so well-worked penalty corner Booth launched a tentative shot goalwards which found the net, off the goalkeeper.

The home side looked home and dry for a big result until Judge fired home an overtime set piece.

Milne Craig Western are in pole position in the league table with a massive goal difference advantage over Grove Menzieshill who also have two wins under their belt.    Western defeated Hillhead 11-0, Jen Eadie was top scorer with four while Fiona Bruce collected a hat-trick, the rest were singles.

Grove kept in touch at the top with a 3-1 win at Erskine Stewart`s Melville, under-18 international Hanna McKie (2) and Katie Robertson were on target for the Taysiders while Tutu Osifodunrin got the consolation.

Kelburne and Watsonians picked up their first point of the season with 2-2 draw at Auchenhowie, Frances McEown and Ellis Berry scored for the Paisley side while Heather Elder and Emily Newlands replied for the visitors.

Dundee Wanderers` home game against CALA Edinburgh failed to take place on a floodlight failure issue.

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