Five games to go and both Premierships are still up for grabs

There is still no change at the top of the Premierships with five games remaining.

In the women`s competition Watsonians still have a three point lead over Clydesdale Western who have a game in hand. However, third placed Edinburgh University now have a lot to do to make up a nine point gap although they too have a game in hand.

Western still top the men`s Premiership and have that five point lead over Grange, so the Auchenhowie side have the destiny of the title very much in their own hands.

It`s easy to focus on the teams that are challenging for the Premiership crowns all the time, but what of the sides that have just been promoted to the top flight.

Following the Covid-induced sabbatical it was decided to promote the top two sides from the second division to the top flight and have no relegation, thereby increasing the Premiership to twelve sides.

How have the promoted sides coped with the experience?

Pride of place will undoubtedly go to Dunfermline Carnegie who have grasped the opportunity with both hands in their firs experience in the top flight. The Fifers, under coach Steven Glass and captain Michael Ross, made the top six division before the winter break and will finish the season no lower than sixth.

Inverleith vs Western Wildcats. Sun 7th Nov 2021. Photo: Dave Reid
Inverleith vs Western Wildcats. Sun 7th Nov 2021.
Photo: Dave Reid

We caught up with Inverleith captain Sean Stewart whose side just missed out on the top six experience on goal difference.

However, the Edinburgh side are vying for top spot in the lower six and before this weekend`s fixtures only one point separates Uddingston, Hillhead and Inverleith at the top.

This was Sean`s evaluation of the season to date.

“So far, it has been a hugely positive season for us, and apart from a few older heads, we are a relatively young team that has performed well and competed in every game we have played. Coming into this season our goal was to finish as high up the league as possible, and although missing out on the sixth place by goal difference was tough, it showed us that we can challenge and become one of the top teams ourselves.

“The ups, as previously mentioned, have been seeing individuals in our squad stepping up to become senior players, as well as the boys in Scottish age group squads putting their mark on Premiership games. The lows have been finding consistency within these performances, as that is separating us from the top teams. With four games to go, I hope we can find this consistency and go on a winning run.”

Uddingston have also made their mark in the women`s Premiership in their first time of asking, they were just shy for a place in the top six and are only a point behind Glasgow University for top spot in the lower six league. Not a bad effort in their first years in the top flight!

Unfortunately, Erskine Stewarts Melville have struggled and may return to the lower tier.

Having played Clydesdale Western and Edinburgh University over the last couple of weeks – and come away with six points – leaders Watsonians should have an easier assignment on Saturday at Auchenhowie against Wildcats.

Wildcats have struggled to find any real form since the restart – one point in five games and only a single goal. So on paper the outcome looks clear against a free-scoring Watsonians outfit. But the sides last met in mid-February, the match was heading for a goalless draw until Watsonians` Heather Tait popped up to score a belated winner. A tight three points for Watsonians in the end.

Recently Watsonians` goals have come from various sources, not just from Sarah Jamieson and Emily Dark but also from the likes of Sarah McKay, Nikki Stobie and Kathryn Holdgate.

Apart from the three points on Saturday, what else would Watsonians coach Keith Smith be wishing for? Perhaps for Edinburgh University taking some points off Clydesdale at Peffermill to give his side a little breathing space.

The sides have only met once this season and that resulted in a single goal victory for the Titwood-based outfit, a penalty corner conversion by Bronwyn Shields made the difference. A similar outcome would keep Clydesdale in touch with Watsonians and effectively end the students’ silverware and European hopes.

Hillhead have drawn level on points with fourth placed Wildcats and three points at home to GHK could see them leapfrog the Auchenhowie pack altogether. And last time out, that was exactly the outcome with a 2-1 win, Wendy Andrews getting both goals for Hillhead.

In the lower six Glasgow University and Uddingston continue to draw away from the rest of the pack. Uni have the trip to Aberdeen to face a Gordonians side that are drifting closer to the relegation zone. The Aberdonians have been overtaken by Dundee Wanderers and are now only four points ahead of Grove Menzieshill in eleventh spot.

Uddingston entertain Grove Menzieshill, a side they beat 5-0 last time out, Caterina Neill getting a hat-trick – so the points could be safe in Lanarkshire.

Dundee Wanderers could cement their progress up the table to safety with a win against an Erskine Stewart Melville side that have yet to get off the mark this season.

Some would expect no change at the top of the men`s Premiership – Western will look to retain their five point lead which would make Grange look increasingly destined for the runners-up spot and the second European place. But, who knows?

The Western goal machine goes to Peffermill to take on an Edinburgh University side that have not been so consistent since the break – two wins from five outings was not the sort of form they displayed in the autumn.

Western`s goal tally stands at an impressive 96 in 16 games, so the students’ defence will need to be on their toes to prevent the century. And last weekend both Andrew McConnell and Rob Harwood notched hat-tricks – so they are obviously in form!

Grange must beat Watsonians to retain any hope of catching Western – but last time the game ended in a 3-3 draw, courtesy of a hat-trick by Watsonians` penalty corner expert Dan Coultas.

Clydesdale`s late renaissance continues apace after a 3-0 away win at Watsonians last weekend and on Saturday they are at home to a Dunfermline Carnegie side that are beginning to wobble in the top flight. Another three points could put the Titwood side within a point of third placed Edinburgh University.

The lower six table is divided into two parts, at the top Uddingston, Hillhead and Inverleith are within a point of each other and well distant from the relegation zone.

The top match here on Saturday sees Hillhead at home to Inverleith. Hillhead are also going through something of a renaissance with four wins and a draw since the restart. And they are also scoring goals in some quantity – 22 in five games is good shooting with Fraser Ward the main striker.

But it`s getting a little fraught at the bottom end.

The Tayside pair Grove Menzieshill and Dundee Wanderers hold the bottom spots at the moment and they meet head to head on Sautrday. The simple fact is that Grove Menzieshill cannot afford to lose otherwise the gap between the teams would be increased to eight points – perhaps too much of a mountain to climb. Also a Wanderers victory could lift them up to tenth and safety, depending on the Kelburne result.

Kelburne`s safety net is only two points and they play Uddingston on Saturday. The sides met a few days ago with Uddingston`s Graeme Haxton getting the winner. So Kelburne`s young brigade will have to dig deep to avoid the danger of slipping down to the relegation play-off spot.

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