Watsonians` Charlie Jack was the catalyst in the game of the day against neighbours Grange – he scored a hat-trick in his side`s 3-2 victory to retain pole position in the men`s Premiership. He was on target for a half-time single goal lead and in the third quarter added a second from the spot, and Watsonians seemed to be cruising. However, David Nairn pulled one back for Grange, but to no avail as Jack added a third in the final quarter.
But the final eight minutes were full of tension. Firstly, Grange were reduced to ten players when Livio Belotti was sent to the sin bin, then Archie Stephen pulled the score back to 3-2, Grange then pushed for the equaliser, the Watsonians keeper stood firm…and the game finished 3-2 to Watsonians.
Watsonians captain Luke Campbell had this to say: “We looked comfortable at 2-0 up, but by the end of the game Grange probably had more of the chances than us and we had Craig Yelland to thank for a couple of excellent saves.”
However, Edinburgh University`s Jamie Golden was the man of the day with six goals, two from penalty corners and the others from open play, in the ten goal defeat of Inverleith. The rest of the goals came from a hat-trick by Keir Robb and Arthur Owens got the other. The students already look ominous.
ESM Lions dropped their first points of the season with a 1-1 draw at Dundee Wanderers. Mark Hartley opened for the Taysiders with a wonder reverse stick strike at a counter-attack, but Theo Wood levelled for the Edinburgh side.
Western Wildcats roared into second spot in the table – on goal difference from ESM Lions – after an 8-2 mauling of Hillhead, and as a result they remain in the bottom rung. Fraser Moran was the Wildcats top scorer with five, and the others came from Hamish Galt, Adam Mackenzie and Dutchman Just Noordzij, a double from Ewan Campbell was Hillhead`s reply.
In the final outing Uddingston drew 1-1 at Titwood against Clydesdale, the dropped points means the Lanarkshire side move down to sixth in the table. Ian King was on target for the home side while Louis Gardiner got Uddingston`s goal.
In the sole women`s Premiership game of the day St Andrews University took advantage of the lack of competition to move into second position in the table after a 10-0 win over Aberdeen – they lead Wildcats on goal difference. The visitors admitted to being outclassed in pace and skill. There were two goals each for Reese Wearren, Hannah Coull and Iona Syme while Ellen Sloss, Amy Edgar, Maggie Carter and Kelly Smith were also on target.
