GHK stay at the top

With many Premiership games postponed due to the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers, GHK took advantage by extending their lead at the top of the women`s Premiership by three points, but in the mens’ competition Kelburne failed to do likewise and Wildcats remain at the top.

Kelburne`s chance to leap into pole position in the Premiership came unstuck after going down 2-0 to Hillhead at Glasgow Green. The Paisley side succumbed to a goal in each half from Hillhead. Fraser Ward scored in the second quarter and Murray Ross towards the end. The result pulls Hillhead out of the bottom zone into mid-table.

Meanwhile, Clydesdale returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win at Grove Menzieshill. Although both sides created early chances there was no scoring by the interval. The Titwood-based side finally broke the deadlock in the third quarter with a penalty corner conversion by Ben Cosgrove, ironically scoring against his former club. Clydesdale quickly doubled their tally with a strike by Ali Douglas – fresh from the Scotland under-21`s triumph over Malaysia the day before.

The result was finally sealed in the final quarter at another penalty corner, this time Patrick Lonergan finished the set piece with a tap-in at the back post for a comfortable three goal victory.

Dunfermline Carnegie and Uddingston fought out a thrilling 3-3 draw to leave both clubs in mid-table position. The Lanarkshire side were always on the front foot, from open play Finn Halliday put Uddingston in front only for Andrew Doyle to level from the spot. Just before the interval Brian Sterling gave Uddingston a 2-1 lead, but early in the third quarter Aidan McQuade equalised for the Fifers for 2-2.

Once again Halliday struck for what looked like the winner but Carnegie retaliated, another McQuade penalty corner effort was blocked but the ball fell to Jamie Stewart who flicked it high into the net for a share of the spoils.

 

GHK`s fairy-tale presence at the top of the women`s Premiership continues unabated following a 1-0 win over Gordonians at Old Anniesland.

The only goal of the game came in the first quarter, a penalty corner strike by Lucy Williamson was deflected into the net by Zara Kennedy.

The league leaders had other chances to add to their tally but that is how it finished.

Gordonians` Lyndsey did remark: “Was a tough first quarter but then we really came into the game and had some good chances up front. The girls are really starting to play as a team.” Certainly a mid-table position is far better than bottom spot in March 2020.

Edinburgh University smoothed into second spot in the table after a ten goal win over Dundee Wanderers at Peffermill. The goal avalanche came from Georgia Brown (4), two each from Amy Brodie and Itske Hooftman while Ava Smith and Sophie Hinds got the others.

Hillhead moved back close to the top six with a 2-1 win at Erskine Stewart`s Melville. Early in the first quarter Wendy Andrews opened the scoring after getting the better of a one-on-one with the keeper. Ava Allan replied for the Edinburgh side with a penalty corner strike. However, the winner also came from a set piece with a reverse stick strike by Cara MacNiven.

Hillhead captain Jenny Sinclair said: “We won 2-1 but it was a frustrating game as we had lots of chances, but delighted with the three points.”

A valuable weekend for Hillhead, they followed up Saturday`s 2-1 victory over Erskine Stewart`s Melville with another three points in a 4-2 win over Grove today at Upper Windyedge. The six points gained have propelled Hillhead from ninth to fourth in the table.

But the Glasgow side were caught cold by an early double from Grove, two penalty corner conversions by Emma Tennant and Lucy Murray. Hillhead`s Jenny Sinclair remarked: “We went down 2-0 in the first quarter, we just hadn`t quite switched on. We managed to step up our level and were ahead 3-2 at half-time.”

Emma Blackstock started off the revival, she was left with a simple tap-in at the back post after Olivia Robertson`s cross from the baseline eliminated the Grove keeper. The same player provided the equaliser, Wendy Andrews was taken out by the keeper at the top of the circle leaving the goal open for Blackstock to push the ball into the empty net.

The third came from a lovely diving sweep from Jess Lee following a goalmouth scramble, and a 3-2 half-time lead.

The result was sealed with a fourth in the second half, a rebound from a penalty corner was picked up by captain Carla MacNiven who calmly flicked it into the net.

Grove coach Niall Joss said: “Pretty disappointing day for us, we made too many errors in possession that Hillhead capitalised on. We are learning but need to be a bit more composed once we get a lead.”

Hillhead were certainly not lacking in youthful support, a 5-year-old “super fan and future star” Willow Hilton-Osborne was voluble on the side line shouting “fabulous Hillhead” when her favourites scored – a homely story, perhaps!

A late result from the men`s Premiership from yesterday was a 5-0 win over Dundee Wanderers. Watsonians` season has been hindered by the postponement of some early fixtures, but since then the Edinburgh side have recorded two wins and a draw and have moved up to seventh in the table.

Curiously all the goals came in the first half, started off with a brilliant run and reverse stick shot from Dan Coultas. Calum Wood and Ethan Williams added two more, both from close range after saves from the Wanderers` keeper. The fourth came from a penalty corner strike by Canny Cain and the scoring was completed by Harry Connolly, again from close range.

In a belated woman`s first round Scottish Cup tie which was postponed from last weekend following a car crash, Premiership Glasgow University booked their place in the draw for the next round with a comfortable 8-0 win over Stirling Wanderers from the lower National League.

Ciara Forgie was the main contributor with five while Lucy Smith, Corrie Hay and Emily Simmers pitched in with singles.

 

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