Kelburne are at Auchenhowie on Saturday (1330) for what should a smashing game against our Men's 1st Team. Both sides have fifteen points having won five games. Kelburne are ahead of Western on goal difference, though, and have a 100% record whereas our boys have lost one game, away at Grange. Kelburne are, as ever, favourites to retain their Scottish title. However, Western are very much part of the chasing pack and can generally be relied upon to take points of the champions at some point in a given season. Hopefully they can do it on Saturday.
Harry is confident. "We have been playing and training well and are looking forward to the game. Kelburne obviously present us with a challenge but the group we have embraces that sort of thing. Playing at home is always enjoyable for the team as we love the atmosphere and the support we get at Auchenhowie so that is very much in our favour as is the strength of our squad with only Joe McConnell missing out through his suspension."
The girls are also playing one of Scottish hockey's heavier hitters. Grove Menzieshill are the visitors (1500) and this is another test of our girls' progress. Confidence could not be higher in the Wildcats camp after Saturday's last gasp 2-1 win at Glasgow Green and they can go into Saturday's game with a feeling of real momentum. Grove are favourites but our girls have nothing to lose and everything to gain from this one and should be able to enjoy the challenge of taking on one of Scotland's best sides.
The Men's 2s have a free Saturday but the 3s are at home to Hillhead 4s. With seven wins from seven games so far they are in pole position in West District Division 1. However, November looks particularly demanding with league games against several other top four sides and a second round cup tie away to Kelburne. Matt will be very keen to win well this weekend to tee up an exciting month.
The 4s have recovered from their sole defeat this season and are playing with skill, verve and character. They have an assignment at Eastwood High School (1530) against a top-of-the-table Giffnock side who boast a formidable record (seven wins from seven game with only one goal conceded). Having dealt out a few doings of their own, though, this Western side will surely relish the contest. Best of luck, lads.
The 5s have chuntered along reasonably well in Division 3 so far this season and are in fourth place. They play Ayr at Cambusdoon (1200) and will feel that this is one they should win. Richard has a decent looking squad and travels with confidence.
The Women's 2s are currently second in West District Division 2 and are preparing to go to league leaders East Kilbride. Sophie Vennard and her team have played very well this season and are showing the kind of form that signals their intention to return to Division 1 at the first time of asking. Saturday will give us an idea of whether they might even achieve this goal as champions.
The 3s are away to Irvine. Word reaches us that this game will be played on grass. We are bemused, not to say nonplussed, and even perplexed at a state-of-affairs perhaps best described as 'vintage' or indeed 'retro'. We knew that this corner of Ayrshire did things differently but what next? Do they still play offside? Does one begin games with a bully off? Is the hand-stopped short corner still de rigeur? We demand to be told.
On Sunday the Men's 1s have a cup tie in Edinburgh against Erskine Stewart's Melville and the women are in Aberdeen against Granite City Wanderers. The Women's 2s play Strathclyde University 2s away in the league.