Change in the air after 18 months?

Is there a small whiff of change in the air when you glance at the Premiership tables – albeit after only two games?

An early success story is the rise of GHK, with back to back victories against Uddingston and Grove under their belt the Glasgow side sit in pole position in the women`s Championship – when did that happen last?

But the management is not getting carried away, as captain Carly Bisset remarked. “We`re delighted to have two wins from two so far, but we`re under no false illusions that it`s still early days in the season and that we have areas to work on.

Before season 19-20 closed, we were in a transition year but unfortunately were really in our stride when the season was cut short. We have picked up right where we left off, with our youth players really stepping up, and we`ve gained some new, experienced players who have really gelled with the existing squad.”

Saturday sees Erskine Stewarts Melville calling at Old Anniesland, so will that be another three points in the bag?

GHK coach Susan McGilveray reflected: “Our approach will be the same as every game which is to learn from and improve our performance from the last match.

“The Grove result was pleasing but there is plenty to work on. I`ve been impressed by the number of circle entries and positive outcomes we have had from these and we look to build on this in game three.”

The crucial positive outcomes have been six goals over the opening two games, evenly divided between Zara Kennedy and Aimee Anderson.

However, GHK are looking forward to the season ahead with a high degree of optimism.

Carly Bisset again: “We are in a great position this year with an extremely strong and large 1st XI squad with plenty of players vying for a place in the team, so Susan will have a tough time selecting the team for the weekend.

“It`s a great position for GHK to be in, and I`m proud of what she`s achieved over the last few years in terms of youth player development, but also the development of the adult members of the team.

“I`m really excited to see where GHK can go this season.”

The women`s card has been restricted to three games due to the international matches involving Scotland and Wales as preparation for the forthcoming World Cup Qualifier in Italy.

Despite a restricted squad Gordonians` Lyndsey Davidson believed they did well to contain Edinburgh University “to a respectable 5-0 loss” last weekend. If the Aberdonians can continue to play the same “competitive and fast hockey” then they might pick up their first three points of the season at home to Uddingston.

On the other hand, it would appear that Premiership first-timers Uddingston have not yet quite got to the pace of the top flight with back to back defeats – this may take a bit of time – but a win at Gordonians would certainly do wonders for their confidence.

The other game on the women`s card brings Grove down to a Glasgow University side that won their opener 2-1 over Uddingston, Katy Martin and Emily Simmers were on target for the students. Glasgow must fancy their chances of another three points

In the men`s competition, Dunfermline Carnegie have caught the eye, their first-ever season in the Premiership and they sit in third spot after two opening victories.

Prior to last weekend`s encounter, Dunfermline spokesman Liam Witt stated: “We are keen to test ourselves against the established sides in the league.”

So the Fifers travelled to Dundee to confront Grove Menzieshill, and came away with the three points, albeit the winner came in the last 30 seconds. Nonetheless, mission accomplished you might say.

On Saturday they entertain a young Kelburne side that has also made a promising start to the campaign with a win and a draw. So it is the tussle of the Premiership first-timers against 13-in-a-row champions of a few years ago – it will be interesting to see how this one pans out.

The game of the day must be at Titwood where Clydesdale take on league leaders Grange. The Titwood defence was under strain last weekend against the Wildcats and conceded seven – so how will they cope with free-scoring Fraser Heigh who has found the net eight times in two games?

While Grange must be favourites for this one and over the years have won most of these confrontations, yet there have been occasions when Clydesdale have galloped to victory, so not a foregone conclusion perhaps.

Wildcats with two straight victories and 13 goals to the good must be favourites for their trip to Dundee Wanderers. The problem for the Tayside defence is that the Wildcats goals come from so many quarters – Fraser Calder, Rob Harwood, Andy McConnell… and the list goes on.

Elsewhere, Hillhead do not have their problems to seek, they have lost a lot of regulars for this season and their opening fixtures were Grange, Wildcats and now Edinburgh University.

The Edinburgh students could be another tough ask for the Glasgow side with their wealth of under-21 players in the ranks. However, they stuttered a little in their opening match against Uddingston being held to a 1-1 draw, although the talk of the steamie was that Hamish Imrie`s charges could, and should, have won.

Uddingston are another side with a young crew who Director of Hockey Harry Dunlop reckons will improve in leaps and bounds with extended experience in the Premiership set-up. On Saturday they entertain Inverleith, the other promoted side who join their hosts and three others on the single point mark. Not an easy one to predict this one.

 

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