After four games in the women`s Premiership campaign GHK has emerged as one of the early success stories.
The Glasgow side are presently in third place, only two points behind the leaders after three wins and a draw.
So what is behind this renaissance? We approached GHK`s Lucy Williamson, the scorer of seven goals so far, for an explanation. “We have been consistently improving as a squad over the last five plus years and we were disappointed with sixth last year,” she said. “We have come into the new season with a changed mind set and renewed focus on what we are capable of.
“We also have strong youngsters who have worked hard over several years and now earned their place in the 1s and they have further strengthened the squad.”
GHK have shown their teeth against one of the Premiership favourites already when they beat Edinburgh University 3-1 with Beth Campbell, Hanna McKie and Lucy Williamson herself on target. Now on Saturday they travel to Titwood to take on second placed Clydesdale Western – a win here would give considerable credibility to their renaissance tag.
Clydesdale, under coach Mark Ralph, seem to be in the midst of their own renaissance with a perfect record so far and only behind leaders Watsonians on goal difference – although that is substantial.
On the match itself, Lucy said, “We believe we can win every game. They are a good team and haven`t dropped any point so far this season so we will have to be at our best. We are confident in our ability and are looking forward to the challenge.”
And it is doubtful if the early Scottish Cup exist will divert GHK from their Premiership mission. This looks like the game of the day.
Leaders Watsonians take on St Andrews University who are still in the bottom echelons so far although they have had a challenging start to the season with games against the top sides. However, it is difficult to see the students making much of their trip to Edinburgh.
THURSDAY EVENING AT AUCHENHOWIE
Wildcats slipped into third spot in the Premiership after a 3-2 win over Uddingston on Thursday evening at Auchenhowie, however the result did nothing to improve the visitor`s position near the bottom of the table. The Cats opened with a quick counter-attack from an Uddy penalty corner which was finished off by a deflection from Rachel Bain. However, the lead did not last long before Uddy equalised. But before the end of the first quarter Kate Holmes delivered at a penalty corner for 2-1.
The second quarter produced two more goals, the Cats made it 3-1 through Holmes again, then Uddy reduced the deficit to a single goal again through Lucy Hogarth…and that was the tally at the interval. The second half was goalless despite some scoring opportunities for both sides, and that left the Cats with the three points.
Last year`s runners-up Edinburgh University sit in fifth place but have played a game less, and on Saturday have an interesting fixture against draw specialists Grange at Peffermill. Grange may be unbeaten with four draws but have not shown a killer touch so far this time. In contrast, Edinburgh have won their last two outings against Uddingston and St Andrews and new coach Henry Langton will be keen to build on the winning trend against their capital neighbours.
The remaining games involved four of the bottom five sides – Hillhead v Glasgow University and Inverleith v Fjordhus Reivers – and points gained here will lift the winners out of the bottom rungs.
In the men`s Premiership Western Wildcats, Watsonians and Grange are level on twelve points at the top – so will anything change?
Western, fresh from their EHL experience, take on Hillhead at Auchenhowie. The visitors have already conceded 15 goals in their four games so far, and could be the ideal stomping ground for the likes of Fraser Moran, Rob Harwood and Jamie Golden to advance their goal tally. However, Hillhead did come to life in last Sunday`s Scottish Cup defeat of Uddingston – and in style with a 5-1 score.
Grange ate at home to an Inverleith side that just hasn`t got going yet this season, but it’s still early days.
Watsonians may have a testing time against an Uddingston side that have won three of their four Premiership games comfortably scoring 19 goals in the process, Amirul Hanif topping the bill with five with several others chipping in.
However, Watsonians’ season continues to flourish with four straight victories, albeit they left it late for a 4-3 win at Hillhead. Further Dan Coultas` charges let slip a three goal first quarter advantage, such generosity may not end so happily against the promising Lanarkshire side.
This could be a very close and interesting fixture!
Edinburgh University is lurking just behind the leaders waiting for a slip-up and they remain unbeaten after their four games. On Saturday they entertain an FSEG Clydesdale side that have again shown some inconsistency so far – they beat Uddingston 1-0 but then fell 4-0 to Western and Watsonians. If the students hope to keep up the pressure at the top then three points from this one is essential and the likes of Keir Robb, Tom Cahalin and Iain McFadden could provide the goals.
ESM will hope to continue their recent good form to see off Dundee Wanderers in Edinburgh. Wins over Dunfermline Carnegie and Grove Menzieshill have lifted them to sixth in the table, another three points could distance them from the lower echelons.
Finally, Grove Menzieshill are at home to Carnegie who have yet to get off the mark. It’s not easy to predict this clash as neither side has shown a win ethic yet, but will certainly be gunning for three vital points this weekend.
