Business end of the indoor league

It may be a truncated indoor programme this season, the victim of COVID restrictions, but at least this weekend should provide a champion and European qualifier for both men and women. It is simple – the teams that finish top of their respective leagues at the end of this weekend will assume these mantles.

Certainly Western Wildcats are in the driving seat in the men`s league with a five point lead and all they have to do is see off rivals Inverleith in the opening fixture to be sure of getting over the line. However, on paper both could Inverleith and Grove Menzieshill could overtake Western Wildcats if they were to draw a complete blank on Saturday. As it stands Western Wildcats are five points ahead of Grove Menzieshill and six in front of Inverleith but they have a game in hand.

It is a bit of a two horse race between the unbeaten pair Watsonians and Clydesdale Western in the women`s league, and they meet head to head on Sunday with pole position on the plate. After a good run of form recently Edinburgh University have moved into contention, but only as outsiders at this moment.

There is no doubting the game of the day in the women`s league, it is at 14.45 on Sunday between Clydesdale Western and Watsonians with pole position at stake.

At this moment it`s not worth attempting to predict the outcome as the sides are so evenly balanced. Both have strong squads with more than a sprinkling of Scotland players, they have players who have shown prowess in front of goal, both have match winners in Watsonians` Emily Dark and Jen Eadie of Clydesdale, and both have excellent keepers in Lucy Camlin (Watsonians) and Jess Buchanan (Clydesdale).

So it comes down to that old cliche – the winner will be the team that performs on the day, or has the most luck.

A draw would bring it down to goal difference, and Watsonians have a ten goal advantage, but then again Clydesdale have an additional game.

So could the other games have an influence? Watsonians take on fourth placed Dundee Wanderers but you might not expect dropped points here, even if Vikki Bunce is in the Tayside line-up.

However, Clydesdale open their day against an improving Edinburgh University side who won both their games at the last outing with Ruth Blaikie their top scorer with four.

Then the main one against Watsonians, followed by Grove Menzieshill on the final game of the session. The Dundonians failed to hit the target at all last weekend so it is difficult to see Clydesdale falling at the ultimate hurdle.

So what of eighth place, the present incumbent is Hillhead with no points, but on Sunday they have the chance to claw themselves off the bottom rung with possible points against Inverleith and Grove Menzieshill, perhaps not so easy as both of these sides have won a game in the league to date.

Whatever the permutations in the men’s league Western Wildcats coach Vishal Marwaha is going to take the simple route.

“Six points is the goal, but we are aware of the challenge both teams bring. Inverleith are the current champions and Grove Menziehill have a fantastic history and pedigree indoor. We will need to play well to get the two wins but it’s not an unrealistic target.”

Certainly if Western Wildcats finish with seven straight victories in the league by the end of Saturday, then pole position is their rightful reward.

There is no doubt that Western`s goal-scoring machine has been in full working order – 43 goals in five games is proof of that, but is that the whole story. Marwaha explained.

“Yes, we do have some great attacking options, but I also think we are improving individually and collectively as a defensive unit. We introduced some basic principles at the start of the season and the boys have worked hard on these and improved game by game.”

While Grove Menzieshill have shown some of their old skill and grit, their earlier 4-3 win over Inverleith is evidence of that, last weekend showed up some frailties as they went down 2-1 to old rivals Dundee Wanderers, then drew with Grange.

So what of the champions Inverleith? They are six points behind Western Wildcats but with a game in hand, but need to win the opening game against the league leaders to have any hope of overtaking them.

Stuart Neave`s charges have certainly recovered from their first game loss to Grove Menzieshill, they took nine points from their next three outings.

Neave remarked: “Looking forward to this weekend’s games. We have certainly made progress from the opening game but there is still plenty of room for improvement.”

But Neave also observed: “Western are currently the team to beat, given their start to the season. As a result we will have to be at our best if we wish to win the game on Saturday.

“It is also going to be a long day for us with two further games, against Kelburne and Uddingston, so a good test of where we are at.”

If Inverleith go on to win the league by the end of Saturday, they will undoubtedly have done it the hard way.

In the other games of the day teams will be jostling for the other positions – and in particular avoiding eighth place which will mean automatic relegation.

Unfortunately, at the moment last place looks the prerogative of Kelburne. The Paisley side have no points and there two games on Saturday pits them against Grove Menzieshill and Inverleith – no joy there, I`m thinking.

Dundee Wanderers look favourites for fourth spot, and maybe even third if other results fall into place, after all they are only a point adrift of Tayside rivals Grove Menzieshill. But then again, they only lead Uddingston by three and the Lanarkshire side have three games this weekend, the first against Wanderers followed by Grange and finally Inverleith.

Jen Eadie, Clydesdale Western. Women's Indoor League 1. Bells Sports Centre. 12th Dec 2021. Photo: David P McCarthy Photography

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top