Watsonians and Western have the destiny of the Premiership titles in their own hands

Watsonians have opened up a six point cushion at the top of the women`s Premiership although rivals Clydesdale Western still have a game in hand. Edinburgh University have come back into contention for the runners-up spot and a place in Europe after their 4-1 win over Clydesdale and are now only three points adrift.

No change in the men`s Premiership. Although Western Wildcats left it late to see off Edinburgh University last weekend, the three points gained kept them a tantalising five points ahead of Grange, and it gets more difficult for the Raeburn Place outfit to make up any ground given Western`s consistency record this season.

None of the teams in the title race will accept it’s over, until it’s over.

Watsonians are on a 16 game winning streak which, if maintained to the end of the season, would bring the women’s Premiership title to the Edinburgh side for the very first time.

On Saturday they are at home to a Hillhead side that have just moved into fourth place in the table – and that is a measure of success for the Glasgow club given lower finishes in previous seasons.

We caught up with Hillhead captain Carla MacNiven who was delighted with progress this season. She explained what was behind the club`s renaissance:

“Yes, fourth place is the highest we’ve ever been in the table so we’re obviously really pleased with how the season is going so far. We’ve been slowly climbing up the table in the past few years but our consistency and motivation to push each other at training and matches this season has taken us that extra step. We still have four tough games to go, so we’re aiming to finish on a high.”

Asked about the strengths in the present squad, Carla replied:

“I think this year we have a great mix of players who have experience playing in the premiership and then some really talented youth players coming through. As a squad we’ve tried to focus on being hard to beat and disciplined defensively, working hard for each other, and playing with confidence on the ball going forwards.”

Now what about Watsonians on Saturday – Carla revealed a combination of realism and determination. She said:

“We are very aware of how well Watsonians have been playing, and they’ve already given us some of our toughest games of the season. Our aim in every game is to perform well as a team and play well. We look to compete against every team and we have showed this in results of late. We have been building momentum and we hope to take that into Saturday`s game.”

Since the restart from the winter shutdown the Glasgow side have played six Premiership matches and won three of them, several other sides in the competition would certainly have been happy with that.

However, last time out it was Watsonians who triumphed 6-0 with Sarah Jamieson netting a hat-trick. While they may be favourites for some people to take the match given their form this season, it will be interesting to see how hard they have to work for the crucial three points should they claim them.

The chasing pack will look to maintain their challenge; second placed Clydesdale are at home to Western Wildcats who succumbed 3-0 a month ago. Clydesdale may have lost their last two outings against Watsonians and the Edinburgh students, but coach Derek Forsyth will be out to ensure that there are no further reversals.

Third placed Edinburgh University are only three points shy of Clydesdale and coach Sam Judge will hope to emulate their 5-0 victory, especially as former Scotland striker Amy Brodie is in such fine form in front of goal.

Uddingston have taken over the leadership of the lower section of the Premiership and would hope to hold on to that spot at home to bottom side Erskine Stewarts Melville.

Glasgow University will aim to return to winning ways at home to a Grove Menzieshill side that lost ten last weekend to Uddingston. The Dundonians will be planning a bounce back, however, and this contest could be a tasty one.

Dundee Wanderers` tussle with Gordonians could be interesting, both look to be clear of the play-off relegation spot but three points on Saturday would undoubtedly confirm this.

Wanderers have had something of a revival since the winter break, they have moved out of the relegation zone with four victories, a draw and only a single defeat to settle into ninth spot, one place ahead of the Aberdonians. Then again, Gordonians did well to take full points from the visit of Glasgow University last weekend – so this could be an interesting confrontation.

In the men’s Premiership Western Wildcats have dropped only six points all season with three draws, and this weekend sees them up against against Watsonians at Auchenhowie.

Western just failed to make their goal century last weekend, and now stand on 99 – so there will be an incentive for the likes of Rob Harwood or Andrew McConnell to take them over the line in style.

This has been one of Watsonians more successful seasons with a top six place, but recently the results have not been rolling in and on Saturday they will hope to avoid another blank.

It is simple for Grange – they must continue winning to put Western under pressure. However, Saturday`s home clash with Clydesdale will not be routine. However, Grange did return to their old form on Saturday putting six past Watsonians and leading striker Fraser Heigh returned with yet another hat-trick.

However, Clydesdale have galloped into form with three convincing wins against Edinburgh University, Watsonians and Dunfermline Carnegie – scoring 21 goals in the process. Jack McKenzie was top scorer with seven while David Nairn, Andrew Allan and Gregor Hirst have also pitched in.

Despite this, Saturday will be a real test for Titwood`s young brigade.

While Clydesdale have moved up the table, Dunfermline Carnegie have gone in the other direction, and on Saturday they entertain Edinburgh University who need the points to dispel the threat to their third spot in the table.

Although the students have lost their last three games, yet only by a single goal to both Western and Grange above them, they might fancy themselves for the three points on offer here and return to winning ways.

After a slightly shaky spell in February Inverleith seem to have returned to winning ways, helped by some sharp finishing by Livio Belotti, and will look to see off the challenge of the young Kelburne side.

Dundee Wanderers are four points adrift of Kelburne in the play-off relegation spot and have to make the dangerous trip to Uddingston where three points might be difficult to come by.

Grove Menzieshill seem transfixed at the bottom of the division with only seven points, they must start picking up victories in their last four fixtures, starting at home to Hillhead on Saturday. A month ago Hillhead only won by the odd goal in seven in what was described as a “stuffy game”, so it might not take much to turn that result around. Yet, the Glasgow side have been in good form since the winter break, but last weekend succumbed 3-0 to Inverleith.

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