Big Premiership encounters this weekend; Edinburgh University and Dunfermline Carnegie on the up

It looks a three horse race in the women`s Premiership – Clydesdale Western, Watsonians and Edinburgh University are all in the mix, and that may not change after Saturday`s matches.

Clydesdale`s trip to the `Cats den at Auchehowie looks to be the closest contest on offer. Last time out in September Clydesdale emerged 4-3 victors, but only after a second half hat-trick from Scotland striker Fiona Semple. Prior to that, it was the Wildcats in the ascendancy with goals from Alex Stuart, Rona Stewart and Rachel Bain…but then Semple took over.

But Clydesdale are still in the driving seat with a 100% record after the initial eleven games. They share pole position with Watsonians on 33 points but with a game less played.

Last weekend Wildcats almost dented Watsonians` title aspirations and were within 90 seconds of a draw, but finally succumbed to a late Heather Tait strike. And that was with a young side out, they will undoubtedly have a stronger outfit out on Saturday if some of their regulars return for the Clydesdale game.

Watsonians could just about overtake Clydesdale on goal difference if they can rattle in the goals at home to Hillhead. Keith Smith`s charges certainly have the players to do just that – Nikki Stobie, Emily Dark, Sarah Jamieson, Katherine Holdgate and others.

Watsonians will aim to take the three points at home, last time out it was 4-0 to the Edinburgh side. However, Hillhead moved up to fifth in the table after a 2-1 win over GHK last weekend, Wendy Andrews getting both.

Edinburgh University are five points adrift of the top two but will hope to take the three points on offer at home to GHK. It was 6-0 to the students in the final game of the first half of the season, Margery Justice and Katie Robertson both scored twice.

Glasgow University continue to dominate the lower half of the Premiership with a two point lead over Uddingston. Away to second bottom Grove Menzieshill may provide another three points.

Meanwhile, Uddingston are away to still pointless Erskine Stewarts Melville on the back of their five goal victory over Grove Menzieshill, Caterina Neill scoring a hat-trick.

The Gordonians – Dundee Wanderers clash looks a close affair – both sit on the eight point mark. In addition, their first encounter in September ended in a 2-2 draw, Hannah Mitchell`s double was cancelled out by Wanderers` Megan Cant and Iona Fleming in the final quarter.

Next week we’ll be taking a closer look at the Edinburgh University versus Western Wildcats match in the women’s Premiership, while this week we place some focus on Edinburgh University’s clash with Dunfermline Carnegie in the men’s Premiership.

Edinburgh University and Dunfermline Carnegie on the up

Edinburgh University and Dunfermline Carnegie may not win the men’s Premiership, but both sides have certainly made a positive impact this season…and that has got to be encouraging for the sport.

And the sides meet head to head on Saturday at Peffermill. The earlier encounter in the Premiership ended in a 1-1 draw, so will it be any different this time around?

Under new player/coach Hamish Imrie the Edinburgh students have made their presence felt in the Premiership, despite losing last weekend to Western they have won half of their twelve fixtures and only lost a couple. Currently they occupy third place in the table.

We caught up with Hamish Imrie and asked why he took on the role as Head of Performance at Edinburgh. The 25-year-old from the capital said:

“Being able to run and manage a programme has been my dream ever since I was a young boy. When this opportunity came up I applied straight away and fortunately I was lucky enough to get the job and it’s been fantastic to work for this great organisation.”

Imrie has 41 Scotland caps and in his career has played for Grange, Harvestehuder, Royal Antwerp, Schaerweijde, Beeston and now Edinburgh University.

But managing a university side has its own challenges – none more so that the constant turnover of players at the start of each season which must make it difficult to generate a lasting team spirit. But again Imrie was positive.

“The moral and mood of our squad / club is what makes Edinburgh University’s identity. We may not have the experience like other clubs but we are hard-working and each individual knows what they can bring to the club, so the club morale is great.”

Success has also brought its own challenges for this talented group of youngsters.

“We are now fighting in four competitions currently. BUCS play-off final to get promoted to the top league for the first time ever and in the BUCS cup. Also Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Cup. So each week we have 2/3 games and the boys have to balance their study life as well. We will just manage each game as it comes and enjoy every moment. Hoping to finish in the top 3 this season.”

So what about Dunfermline on Saturday, Imrie was perhaps a little more guarded.

“They are a strong experienced side and very hard to beat as is has proven over this season. It’s going to be a tough game. Hopefully we can come out with three points at the end, but its sport, so anything can happen.”

The Dunfermline success story this season is made of different stuff as relayed by captain Michael Ross.

Last season the Fifers were in the second tier, they gained promotion and have never looked back in the top flight – their first time in the club`s history.

And they announced at the start of the season they were not in the Premiership simply to make up the numbers. Ross`s charges were true to their word and currently sit a very creditable fifth in the table.

Ross, whose personal career earned him twenty Scotland caps, gave his reaction to this season`s fairy tale baptism in the Premiership.

“They have surpassed my personal goals for the squad in terms of where I thought we would have been at this stage, so a big thanks needs to go to the players as they have really bought into what we have been trying to play like and what sort of standard we need to be – on and off the field.

“They have really stepped up to how much better we needed to be to compete at this level and I think results have proved that we deserve our place completely.

“The squad is a good blend of youth and experience currently, although we probably have one of the older teams in the league. We have 2/3 youngsters that are showing great promise for the next year or two. The squad has really stepped up this year and are in a good position for the next couple of years.”

Ironically, if the Fifers were to win on Saturday they would join Edinburgh University on 22 points – so there`s an incentive.

However, Ross was philosophical in his estimation.

“I think we were very, very fortunate to sneak the 1-1 last time, and probably did not give a true account of ourselves on the day so I know we have a lot more to give and can play a lot better.

“It will be a very tough match as Edinburgh Uni don’t concede a lot of goals and haven’t lost many either, which is impressive. They are well drilled and have a lot of good players, so we know it will be no easy task.

“I think if we play to our potential and get our shape right on the day I think we can definitely be competitive and would be hopeful of getting a result.”

So who are the players who might make the difference in Saturday`s tussle? You might go for Edinburgh`s Keir Robb who has shown some lethal finishing in games this season, or perhaps Dunfermline`s set piece expert Aidan McQuade, he scored a hat-trick last weekend against Clydesdale.

So what about the top of the men’s Premiership?

Western Wildcats coach Vishal Marwaha admitted that his squad was a bit rusty after the winter break, that there was still room for improvement, and he would be working on that in the next few games – and that was after putting five past third placed Edinburgh University last Saturday.

With the other two games in the top six ending in draws Western have now opened up a seven point gap over Grange, and even more of the rest of the chasing pack.

It is early days yet and nine games remaining, but at this moment it will be a real challenge for Western to be overtaken. But Marwaha`s charges travel to Watsonians on Saturday in what could be a tricky fixture for the Auchenhowie side.

Earlier in the season Western came out on top by 3-0, a double from Rob Harwood and another from Scott Menzies did the damage.

But the Edinburgh side are no pushovers as Grange found out last weekend. Further, the Western defence should be careful about conceding penalty corners as Dan Coultas is an expert from the set piece.

However, Andrew McConnell was also on set piece form last weekend with four…but then again Western can also call on Rob Harwood, Jonny Christie, Fraser Moran and several others to add to the goal tally.

Despite dropping two points against Watsonians last weekend, Grange probably are still the only side that have a realistic chance of catching Western. But they cannot afford any further slip-ups and on Saturday they visit sixth placed Clydesdale.

The last outing between the sides in November produced a ten goal thriller – Grange scored six of them with the league`s top striker Fraser Heigh bagging a hat-trick. Only a similar outcome on Saturday would keep alive Grange`s title aspirations… and hope for a Western slump.

In the lower half of the men’s Premiership Hillhead and Dundee Wanderers are the two sides that made a move.

Last Saturday Hillhead turned round a three goal deficit to beat Inverleith 4-3 and will put a home victory against bottom side Grove Menzieshill in their sights.

Wanderers have moved off bottom spot and now turn their sights on the young Uddingston outfit. Last time out in October the Lanarkshire side came out on top 3-1 with Gavin McKenzie, Finn Halliday and Louis Gardiner getting the goals.

Kelburne need some points to ease themselves out of the danger area at the bottom and coach Gordon Shepherd will look to their home fixture against an Inverleith side that have Alan Wall replacing Chris Duncan as their coach for the rest of the season.

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