There’s a full card of men’s (Saturday) and women’s (Sunday) action this weekend – a total of 20 matches which should see the respective competitions take shape.
When was the last time Grange topped the Men’s Indoor Division 1 rankings? But that’s where they are now, on the same points and goal difference as Grove Menzieshill, but with more goals. But they still played a game!
But will the Edinburgh side be here to stay? To do this they will first have to beat Uddingston, but their second meeting of the day against champions Inverleith could be a real tester. Two wins and one defeat was a good performance last weekend given the limited squad, but Gordon Amour, Livio Belotti and Jacob Tweedie were among the goals.
And so on to Grove Menzieshill, a solid start with wins over Clydesdale and Grange, but this weekend could be a challenge. Bruce Cuthill’s troops open against champions Inverleith, then Uddingston, finishing in the unpredictable Dundee derby against Wanderers… this has always been a tough battle in the past. If they come through that ordeal unscathed, progress will indeed have been made.
Last season Inverleith were clear winners 9-4 in the opening game, but the Taysiders got revenge with a 4-3 win in the return, with Luke Cranney getting the late winner. On a low scoring day last weekend, Menzieshill also scored low with just seven goals in their two games, Findlay Duncan being the strikers’ choice.
So what about Inverleith… on the opening day a win over Uddingston was followed by a 4-4 draw against Wildcats, here Alex Wilson and Charlie Jack bagged a brace each.
Inverleith’s clash with Menzieshill could be an exciting affair and probably the match of the day at DISC.
Inverleith’s other meeting is against Grange – a local derby…never predictable.
Wildcats are third in the table and can move up after three matchdays, starting against Clydesdale, then Dundee Wanderers and finally Uddingston. Coach Vishal Marwaha expects nine points here, especially if they can repeat the form that devoured Watsonians 7-1. And then there’s the added bonus of the late signing of Jamie Golden, who topped the table with four goals, supported by Fraser Moran and Andrew Lochrin.
So that makes for the current top four – what about the others?
Well, Dundee Wanderers were the only side to record a win, against Clydesdale, but then went down to Grange by the same margin. If the Taysiders have any aspirations of moving up the table they will need to take the three points from Saturday’s opening match against Watsonians, their later meeting with Western could be a little more problematic and finally there is local rivals Menzieshill to contend with. It could be a long day for the Wanderers!
Watsonians picked up a point in their 3-3 draw with Uddingston and were able to kick-start their campaign against Wanderers and Clydesdale. Uddy, on the other hand, are up against Grange, Menzieshill and Western, where points may be more expensive.
Clydesdale may be sitting pointlessly at the foot of the table, but only lost their three games 4-2 last weekend – so far from disgraced. Wildcats in Saturday’s opening match could increase their resources, but Watsonians in the second match could yield something, especially if Jack Nairn can be sharp in front of goal.
Azets Clydesdale Western certainly hit the mark on the opening day of the Women’s Division 1 last weekend. They won all three matches comfortably, scoring 36 goals, conceding just four and were by far the main attraction.
But there is still a long way to go in the competition and pitfalls could lie ahead. In addition, after Christmas, Clydesdale’s international players will focus on preparations for the World Cup qualifier at the end of February. Interestingly, Jennifer Eadie was top scorer with eleven, ably supported by Millie Steiger, Lucy Williamson and Kayleigh Justice.
However, the points and substantial goal difference are on the board and the others have to catch up.
On Sunday, Clydesdale plays again first at DISC against Wildcats and then the big one against rival Watsonians. The Edinburgh side won last year’s final 2-0 to clinch the title and place in Europe – will history repeat itself?
Based on last weekend’s form, it’s Clydesdale who’s galloping. Watsonians certainly won both games… but much more modestly: 4-1 against Wildcats and 4-3 against Inverleith. Missing Sarah Jamieson’s deadly finish was obvious. But Emily Dark and Katie Stott did score a goal or two.
It would be easy to say that the advantage lay with Clydesdale, but it would be foolish to profoundly ignore the power of Watsonians. Earlier, Watsonians warmed up against Dundee Wanderers.
GHK, Wanderers, Wildcats and Inverleith are all on three points – so will any of them work their way up the table? Some have an easier day than others. Inverleith may have the best chance, they have three matchdays against GHK, Grange and Wildcats – not easy but doable if Bopi Monte and Jen Tait can find the net again.
GHK could make progress as their other game is against Hillhead, Wildcats have plenty of experience in their squad with Kate Holmes, Alex Stuart and Lucy Macmillan and can take points from Dundee Wanderers and Inverleith. Finally, Wanderers have Watsonians, Wildcats and Grange on the menu, but finding the net appears to be an issue with only three in total last weekend, even with Charlotte Watson in the ranks.
So it will be interesting to see which side emerges from the middle pack.
Grange and Hillhead are still pointless, but it won’t stay that way as they meet in the fourth match with the winner coming from the goal line.
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